Football Practice Report: Aug. 29
08/29/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
After a day off Monday, the Ducks got back to work in full pads Tuesday, preparing for Saturday's season opener against Southern Utah (5:15 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Network).
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads
After a day off Monday, the Oregon football team returned to practice Tuesday. As will be the schedule moving forward – and has been for the last several years – the Ducks wore full pads Tuesday and will again Wednesday, before dialing back the contact in advance of Saturday's season opener against Southern Utah in Autzen Stadium (5:15 p.m. PT, Pac-12 Network).
Practicing on Sundays will allow the Ducks to review the previous day's game with the action fresh in their minds, an asset as they look to clean up any breakdowns. That means a day off Monday, and the challenge of quickly refocusing for an important day of work each Tuesday.
This week, that wasn't a problem, with the first game of the Willie Taggart era looming. As if to prove it, the first play of practice was a long completion by Justin Herbert to Charles Nelson, who split the safeties and raced upfield. Later, in an extended 11-on-11 session, Malik Young blew up the line of scrimmage and stopped Tony Brooks-James short, and Thomas Graham Jr. shouldered Kani Benoit to the turf as Benoit tried to turn upfield on an outside run.
Prior to practice, Oregon's offensive coaches and select players met with media. That provided a chance to seek some clarity on depth-chart decisions still looming, after the release Monday of a two-deep on which multiple potential backups were listed at several positions.
Nine players were listed at the three receiver spots, for instance. Behind starters Dillon Mitchell, Johnny Johnson III and Nelson were Malik Lovette, Alex Ofodile, Brenden Schooler, Daewood Davis, Darrian McNeal and Jaylon Redd.
Co-offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said it may take a few weeks to clarify just how deep the Ducks will go at each spot.
"Having nine guys in a rotation and solidifying that rotation is going to be key," he said. "But I don't know the exact number."
Quarterback Justin Herbert said he's had a chance to build chemistry with all the potential wideouts at this point. So he didn't seem concerned with using a deep rotation.
"Those guys, we've done such a good job of just getting out there and throwing," Herbert said. "It's really been crucial. Working out with those guys has helped a bunch."
On the offensive line, the first group has been rock solid throughout training camp, featuring Tyrell Crosby, Shane Lemieux, Jake Hanson, Jake Pisarcik and Calvin Throckmorton. Co-offensive coordinator Mario Cristobal has said all month he wants 10 guys he can count on, but it doesn't sound as though he'll go quite that deep just yet.
Returning starter Brady Aiello, seniors Doug Brenner and Evan Voeller and redshirt freshman Jacob Capra all have practiced regularly with the second team. How much meaningful playing time they get Saturday and beyond, Cristobal indicated, would hinge in part on how they did Tuesday and Wednesday during the practices in full pads.
"We'll know more by Thursday," Cristobal said. "But there's six, seven, eight guys that do deserve to play. … We're getting there. We're improving."
Other highlights: McNeal, who got reps behind Nelson in the slot, made a great leaping, twisting catch at the sideline and got a foot inbounds during 7-on-7. Lovette caught deep "touchdown" passes from both Herbert and Braxton Burmeister,and Herbert added TD passes to Nelson and Schooler. … Deommodore Lenoir slapped the ball out to break up a pass from Mike Irwin to Demetri Burch in 7-on-7, and Arrion Springs leaped to pick off a pass from Irwin in team drills.
Other observations: Cristobal added that Southern Utah's defense has a veteran front seven that will throw a lot of looks at the Ducks, loading up the box to stop the run. If Tuesday's practice was any indication, the Ducks will be ready to counter that. Herbert was really sharp all practice long, and his chemistry with Nelson was outstanding. … The Ducks added a player to the roster, walk-on freshman receiver Jack Vecchi out of Central Catholic in Portland. …
Young, the JC transfer who joined the team last week, got some reps with the No. 2 defense. His conditioning still isn't where it needs to be, but he sure looked disruptive in spurts Tuesday. … Adam Stack took the first rep during punt drills. … The offense has been ramping up the tempo, as evidenced by the fact that – as would be the case in previous years – it finished its script of plays during the last team period of the day while a couple minutes of time still remained on the practice clock.
Pre-practice interviews:
Co-offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo
Co-offensive coordinator Mario Cristobal
Sophomore quarterback Justin Herbert
A new era of Oregon Football begins September 2 when your Ducks take on Southern Utah. Let's sell out Coach Taggart's first game in Autzen Stadium. Tickets start at $36. Do Something. BUY TICKETS NOW.
