By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN

KEIZER -- Oregon wide receiver Damon Griffin says he went through the worst experience of his life last fall just prior to the Ducks' 1997 football season opener.

Griffin, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior, suffered a freak injury to his right thumb while making a routine catch in Oregon's final practice of the preseason.

"It was horrible," said Griffin, who missed the entire season with a broken thumb. "I don't ever want to go through something like that again."

In the Ducks' spring game on Saturday, Griffin demonstrated that he's back as a premier big-play receiver.

Griffin, the No. 2 receiver in the Pac-10 in 1996 as a junior with 46 receptions, caught 11 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns to lead the white team to a 48-0 victory over the green team before 5,963 fans on a warm, sunny afternoon at Volcanoes Stadium.

"I think Damon Griffin made a statement about what he intends to do," said Oregon coach Mike Bellotti.

Two of Griffin's touchdown catches came from senior quarterback Jason Maas and the other was from senior Akili Smith as Oregon's top offense dominated the game by amassing 302 yards passing and 136 on the ground for a total of 438 yards.

"Damon played very well," said Smith. "He could be an All-American this year."

Griffin caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Smith with 17 seconds left in the first quarter and came back to snare a 10-yard scoring pass from Maas in the second quarter as the white team bolted to a 14-0 lead. Maas hit Griffin with a 7-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.

"It felt good to be back out there," said Griffin. "It wasn't what I expected, but I played pretty well. I thought I could play better."

Maas held the top spot on the depth chart during much of spring practice, a sign from Bellotti that he will go into fall camp just ahead of Smith.

Maas, however, isn't ready to take anything to the bank.

"I'm not expecting anything," said Maas, who completed 14 of 21 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns. "All I have to do is remember back to last fall when I went into camp as the No. 1 quarterback. By the end of the first week, I was already down to No. 2. But I'm not going to let that happen again.

"I have a lot more experience now, and I'll go into camp with a lot more confidence. If Akili wins the job, I'll battle to get it back. And we will both do everything we can to help the team win. After last year, I know I can get it back."

Sophomore A.J. Feeley and freshman Joey Harrington also saw action at quarterback.

Bellotti has made it clear that he would like either Maas or Smith to win the job outright. He would prefer not to rotate quarterbacks, as he did for much of last season.

"I think you can say Jason laid claim to the job today," said Bellotti. "But it's safe to say they will both play a lot.

"It will probably be decided in fall camp which one will start in the opener. Akili proved last year he is an exciting quarterback who can make plays. It's nice to have two quarterbacks like that."

The Ducks open their season at home against Michigan State on Sept. 5.

Griffin looks like he will team with flanker Tony Hartley as starting wide receivers. But the Ducks also showcased more speed and athletic ability at the outside receiver spots with senior Donald Haynes and freshman Bobby Nero at flanker and sophomore LeCorey Collins at split end. Senior Jed Weaver and freshman Danny Pulido showed they will give the Ducks two more big, sure-handed tight ends in the mold of former Pac-10 stars Josh Wilcox and Blake Spence.

"I thought the kids went out and played pretty well overall," said Bellotti. "They did everything we expected, and we didn't have any major injuries. Our offensive line blocked well and I'm pleased with the depth of our running backs."

Junior Jerry Brown led the rushers with 38 yards on 7 carries and senior Kevin Parker gained 36 yards on 8 carries.

Junior linebacker Peter Sirmon promised Oregon's defense will be stronger and more physical next season despite all the points it gave up in a scrimmage that featured the first- and second-offensive units going against the No. 1 and No. 2 defenses.

Sirmon had three tackles, including two for losses, in limited playing time.

"We're definitely much better," said Sirmon, who has trimmed 10 pounds to 246 pounds playing out of his inside linebacker position. "We will play the gaps better next year, and I think (new defensive coordinator Bob Foster) gives us a lot of confidence. He gives us a positive frame of mind."

Ends Anthony Martin (6-5, 260 pounds) and Sal Patu (6-3, 260) and tackles Masi Heamish (6-3, 280) and Leie Sualua (6-3, 287) comprised the No. 1 defensive front.