Football Practice Report: Nov. 21
11/21/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks were back in full pads Tuesday, for a practice that featured crisp passing by Justin Herbert and physical play by the UO defense.
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads
If Justin Herbert had any rust to shake off in his return to action against Arizona – and a couple throws in the first half indicated he might have – it was gone by Tuesday.
The Ducks were back in full pads for the first time since beating the Wildcats to clinch postseason eligibility, and Herbert put on a show. In the opening drill of the day, a play broke down, he took a few steps to his left and unleashed a throw of about 55 yards that Johnny Johnson III hauled in.
Later, in 7-on-7, Herbert threw across the field from one hash mark to the opposite sideline, where Dillon Mitchell made the reception. Another play broke down in a team period late in practice, and Herbert – in a dead sprint to his left – threw back over the middle of the field. The ball travelled about 50 yards in the air, an amazing feat given that his momentum was taking him the other direction.
And yet, despite all those highlights, according to QB coach Marcus Arroyo, Herbert still probably found nits to pick from his performance, either Saturday or Tuesday.
"He's a perfectionist," Arroyo said of his star quarterback. "Even if he played what we thought was a perfect game, there would be things he'd want to correct."
Herbert will have another chance to put on a show when the Ducks host Oregon State on Saturday (4:05 p.m., ESPN2). It will be his second start in the Civil War series, but Herbert said Tuesday he's not anticipating this one more than any other.
"I'm excited for every game," the Eugene native said. "Sometimes you take football for granted, and I'm just glad to be back. You kind of find out how much football means to you. Over the past few weeks I missed it a lot."
Herbert returned last week after missing five games due to a fractured collar bone. He said he went into the Arizona game with some trepidation about how the bone would hold up. But his mind was eased on Oregon's first possession, when he scrambled out of the pocket under pressure and absorbed a hit to his shoulders from Wildcats linebacker Colin Schooler while sliding to the turf.
Arroyo said the Ducks didn't make any concessions for Herbert in the game plan last week.
"We played our offense; we called our offense," Arroyo said. "It's just, he's gotta be smart."
Hence, when on Oregon's second possession Herbert saw a running lane and scrambled out to the sideline, he considered stepping out of bounds when a defender was bearing down on him. But he saw a sliver of end zone and decided to take a shot at it, capping off a 40-yard touchdown run.
On Monday, Willie Taggart said Arroyo – from his gameday perch in the coaches' box – yelled "touchdown" over the headsets when Herbert found open field. Arroyo acknowledged doing so Tuesday – but said it wasn't necessarily a premonition.
"I yell 'touchdown,'" he said with a sheepish smile, "on about a quarter of plays that hit the second level."
Other highlights: The day started with a bang – Mattrell McGraw knocking Taj Griffin to the turf in a special teams drill. That set the tone for another practice like last Wednesday's, in which the level of contact strayed beyond "thud" at times. … In the first full team period, Drayton Carlberg tackled Kani Benoit to the ground, and Troy Dye flattened a scout-team running back. Dye then was involved in a big collision with Matt Mariota. …
Also in that initial full team period, a running back was stripped and nose tackle Jordon Scott ended up with the football. He rumbled about 15 yards before being pushed out of bounds. … Scout-team QB Mike Irwin burned the defense a couple times, once on a flea flicker play to Daewood Davis, and then on a jump ball that Cyrus Habibi-Likio won on the final play of the period.
Other observations: It wasn't all gravy for Irwin – Tyree Robinson and Justin Hollins intercepted passes over the course of practice. … With Jake Pisarcik again observing, the right side of the offensive line features Calvin Throckmorton and Brady Aiello for the second week in a row. … Blake Rugraff's return means redshirting freshmen inside linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia is practicing predominantly as a scout.
Pre-practice interviews:
Offensive line coach and co-OC Mario Cristobal
Senior running back Royce Freeman
