Football Practice Report: Aug. 9
08/09/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
After showing some rust to start the week, the Ducks' offense shined from start to finish.
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
Oregon defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt stalked up and down the various stretch lines as players loosened up before the start of practice Wednesday, encouraging guys on both sides of the ball to get excited about the work they were about to put in.
"Let's go, get excited," he bellowed. "Carry a big stick out there," was another constant refrain, indicating a desire for the Ducks to convey their collective intensity on the field with their actions.
Quarterback Justin Herbert, for one, appeared to take the advice to heart. The true sophomore was locked in for most of the day, capping it with a pair of electric scoring plays during the final 11-on-11 team period.
On the opening drive, Herbert directed a gashing running attack for a pair of first downs before scooping up an errant exchange in the backfield and sprinting 45 yards for the touchdown. The breakaway run even caused one bystander to blurt out "was that Marcus Mariota?"
The young signal-caller still has plenty to prove before any comparison to UO's Heisman Trophy winner can stick, but there's no denying the familiar poise and athleticism that he brings behind center.
Herbert's second TD in the period was a deep ball to wide receiver Dillon Mitchell, who secured the catch before using incredible body control to stay in bounds and cruise down the sideline into the end zone. With the defense jumping offside, Herbert recognized that he had a free play and went for broke with the dynamic Mitchell in single coverage.
The "1s" faced off a third time with the defense finally getting a stop on Justin Hollins' "sack" of Herbert, but not before the offense had again reached the Red Zone.
Highlights: Practice began with the "Oklahoma" drill, where the quarterback hands off to a ball carrier assisted by one blocker who attempts to break past a single defender through a gap that is two yards wide. Guard Shane Lemieux (below) set the tone for the offense, clearing a path for Darrian Felix while holding off impressive freshman lineman Jordon Scott. Tony Brooks-James "scored" on a rep behind Lemieux as well, displaying great patience and vision before bursting past the defender untouched.
The defense had its best period of the day during 7-on-7, stifling Herbert and the 1s on a pair of series. Included was an Ugochukwu Amadi breakup of a pass intended for Darrian McNeal. … Linebacker turned tight end Matt Mariota (below) made a pair of diving grabs on the day. The first came on a pass down the seam from Herbert during 7-on-7 and the second from Taylor Alie during 11-on-11. … Mitchell showed out all day long, including a tumbling grab on a deep sideline pass from Braxton Burmeister.
Other observations: Leavitt donned a red helmet beanie as part of the kickoff coverage unit during one special teams period and made a couple of "tackles". … Officials were on hand for their own form of practice ahead of upcoming scrimmages during camp. ... A couple of players wore a new style of practice jersey with a different kind of number font.
Interviews:
Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt
Offensive Coordinator Marcus Arroyo
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