Today was the first Pac-10 coaches teleconference of the season, where each conference coach is available to the media for a 10-minute span.

Here are some highlights from the first half of the session:

Oregon coach Mike Bellotti on Dennis Dixon: "Dennis has looked very good, done a great job in terms of physical condition, his decision-making has improved and I've been very, very impressed with his command of the offense.''

Jim Harbaugh of Stanford talked about the fact that former Auburn High standout Kellen Kiilsgaard is now playing fullback: "In the summer he wanted to be a safety and we played him at safety, but he just felt he was a better player going forward than he was going backward so we've since moved him back to the offensive side of the ball and he is currently playing fullback and doing very well. He's not in our two-deep at the time so that will be a consideration to bring him along at that position and possibly redshirt.''

Arizona coach Mike Stoops talked quite a bit about his excitement over his team's prospects for this season, saying that "we look for our offensive line to be much improved'' and that "we're a much deeper football team than we have ever been.''

Oregon State coach Mike Riley reiterated his plans to play both QBs in the first half of Thursday's game against Utah, going with sophomore Sean Canfield in the first quarter and JC transfer Lyle Moevao in the second. "Then we have left it as an open book after that. ... I'm locked into this deal here and I think it's the only right way to do it at this point. The reason that we have done it is they haven't separated themselves. What I would hope is that they would both be red hot.''

Riley also said he doesn't yet know if WR Sammie Stroughter will play this season. Stroughter returned to practice this week after announcing last week that he would sit out this season. "That was all his decision (to return),'' Riley said. "We're kind of going day-to-day.''

USC coach Pete Carroll was unusually circumspect talking about the team's running back position. Asked who would start, he said simply "We'll find out at game time. I don't know yet.''