Football Practice Report: Aug. 24

Photo by: Andy McNamara/GoDucks.com

08/24/16 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley

By: Rob Moseley

Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Shells

It's not unusual for celebrity sightings to take place at an Oregon football practice.

Recently, NFL Hall of Famer Dave Wilcox watched a workout from the sideline, and former UO receiver Jeff Maehl has attended a couple this preseason. That's to say nothing of the Ducks' fans from the world of entertainment, like Ty Burrell or Neil Everett (no, Larry David did not take up Mark Helfrich on his recent offer to serve as a UO assistant).

On Wednesday another newly minted famous face was in attendance – and on the field participating. A week removed from racing in the finals of the 110-meter hurdles at the Rio Olympics, Devon Allen rejoined the UO football program for practice Wednesday morning.

The NCAA's acclimation period required that Allen not be in shoulder pads, which the rest of the team wore. That led to Allen watching several contact periods over the course of practice, but he was happy to be back on the football practice fields with the Ducks in whatever fashion.

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"It was a lot of fun," Allen said afterward. "I love these guys. That's why I love playing football here."

Allen said it will take him a couple days to recover from the layoff from his Olympic final and his travel back from Brazil, which took place Tuesday. But he looks to be in fine shape already, hanging with offensive coordinator Matt Lubick for the series of sprint intervals the exceptionally fit UO assistant runs after most practices.

Allen warmed up with the Ducks on Wednesday and did position drills before watching the team periods. He worked on his cutting ability in a cone drill, and then ran routes for quarterbacks in the red zone:

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In early July at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where Allen won his second U.S. Outdoor title in three years, he said he hoped to get in 10 practices prior to his first football game this fall. Based on his return Wednesday, Allen could at most get in eight prior to the Duck's 2016 opener, Sept. 3 against UC Davis.

"It would be nice to play in the first game," he said, "but obviously if I don't feel great, not just athletically but mentally, (it may not happen)."

The Ducks have a wealth of talent at receiver, headlined by Darren Carrington II, Dwayne Stanford and Charles Nelson. Sophomore Jalen Brown and redshirt freshman Alex Ofodile have been outstanding in August, and there's more talent new to the pipeline in true freshmen Tristen Wallace and Dillon Mitchell.

But the Ducks will gladly make room for an Olympic-caliber sprinter, too.

Other highlights: A day after the offense jumped on the defense out of the gate, the defense returned the favor Wednesday, albeit not in an official competition day. The first period after stretching was pass rush, and the defensive linemen cleaned up with Jalen Jelks beating Cameron Hunt off the line, and T.J. Daniel turning the corner around Tyrell Crosby to get to the quarterback. … The next drill was 1-on-1 pass drills conducted near the goal line, and it was more of the same. Troy Dye and Ugo Amadi had interceptions, Reggie Daniels broke up a couple pass attempts and freshman cornerback Brenden Schooler had this pass breakup:

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Schooler added an interception in an ensuing 7-on-7 session, also in the red zone, and Amadi broke up another pass, though Johnny Mundt hauled in touchdown passes from both Dakota Prukop and Justin Herbert, who recognized a coverage breakdown and hit the open tight end. … The defense finished the day with a couple exclamation points in 11-on-11. Khalil Oliver intercepted a pass after Daniels hit a receiver to deflect the ball, and Kaulana Apelu also had an interception. The defensive sideline was pretty riotous at that point, as they celebrated a relatively dominant day.

Other observations: The ball was live for a second-and-long scenario in the red zone for one 7-on-7 period. The offense had 15 possessions in the period, and scored seven times – three TD passes by Travis Jonsen, and two each by Prukop and Terry Wilson Jr. Prukop was also picked off in the end zone, by Amadi. The defense forced another turnover when Juwaan Williams stripped Wallace short of the goal line and Daniels fell on the ball. … Speaking of turnovers, the defense is really stressing them in position drills:

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One of the last team drills gave the offense first-and-10, looking to move the chains. Prukop was able to do so in all four of his chances; the other three quarterbacks combined for five conversions, illustrating the consistency and efficiency that coaches have said is making Prukop stand out in the group this preseason. … Dylan Kane, who moved from safety to receiver this offseason, has really improved his hands in this camp. He was pretty inconsistent to start the month, but that's changed the last week or so. … During kickoff drills, new walk-on Zach Emerson was consistently putting the ball into or out the back of the end zone. Perhaps he could be a factor in that role once senior Matt Wogan is gone. …

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At one point during a drill today, new defensive coordinator Brady Hoke shouted to his defense to "get set; quit talking and go!" Seemed in keeping with the more stream-lined, attacking mentality he's been trying to instill since joining the staff. … Along with everything else, Royce Freeman is Oregon's best receiver among the team's running backs, from this vantage point. Just an all-around stud. ... The Ducks will scrimmage Thursday, after which coaches will meet to put together a depth chart for the opener.

Interviews:

Offensive coordinator Matt Lubick