Football Practice Report: Nov. 1
11/01/17 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
Oregon's defense has improved markedly in 2017, and looks to prove that again in a tough matchup at Washington on Saturday (7 p.m., FS1).
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Shells
Oh, a penny for Troy Dye's thoughts.
The UO sophomore linebacker met with media prior to practice Wednesday, and was asked about the matchup with No. 12 Washington in Husky Stadium on Saturday (7 p.m., FS1). Specifically, Dye was asked how motivated he is to help the UO defense redeem itself after allowing 70 points in the loss last year that ended Oregon's 12-year win streak over UW.
"Um ….," Dye began, before pausing to collect his thoughts.
Finally, he continued: "Uh. Motivated."
No doubt plenty of other possible responses occurred to Dye in that moment. But the short, clipped reply spoke volumes in its own right, for a UO defense intently focused on comporting itself in better fashion Saturday.
"I think we all want to beat them, bad," senior safety Tyree Robinson said. "… We're all buying into the details this week, and we're trying to do everything it takes to get a win."
For defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt, the chance for redemption against UW is doubled. Not only did his current players lose 70-21 last season to Washington, but he was on Colorado's staff when the Buffaloes lost 41-10 in the conference title game.
That would be 111 total points' worth of motivation for Leavitt this week.
"You get beat like that, nobody wants to go through that," Leavitt said. "But the bottom line is, it comes down to what you do on the field. Those things don't do a whole lot when the game's going."
Oregon's defense has taken marked steps forward this season under Leavitt. After ranking 126th in both points and yards allowed per game last season, the Ducks are 47th in total defense entering November 2017, and 85th in scoring defense. Their yards allowed per play has improved from 6.41 in 2016, 115th in the FBS, to 5.05 in 2017, ranking 30th in the FBS.
Washington will be a different sort of challenge; the Huskies are averaging 38.6 points per game, more than any other UO opponent thus far in 2017. That's still a far cry from the 70 put up last season by Washington in Autzen Stadium, a score that has been posted around the UO facilities all year, along with those from other losses last season.
"I know we're tired of seeing it, and plan on doing something this week," Robinson said.
Junior defensive end Jalen Jelks missed last season's UW game due to injury. So he has yet another angle from which to draw motivation Saturday.
"That's a big fuel to the fire," Jelks said. "I haven't had a chance to play against them in a minute, and now I get it."
Practice highlights: In the tempo drill to start the morning, Justin Herbert looked sharp for the second day in a row. He checked back across the field for a long completion to Cam McCormick, and zipped a screen to Kani Benoit later in the drive. … During the "team pass" period that has replaced 7-on-7 for the offense in recent weeks, Braxton Burmeister showed off his improvement since taking over in the wake of Herbert's injury. He zipped a pass between two defenders to Charles Nelson and then, after a couple misfires, completed a series of balls to Dillon Mitchell, Royce Freeman and Jaylon Redd. …
Juwaan Williams denied another completion to Nelson in the same period; Burmeister lofted a pretty pass just over the defender and into Nelson's hands, but Williams stuck with the play and knocked it loose before the catch was secured. … Thomas Graham Jr. had a pick-six during a team period late in the morning, and a second interception just before practice ended. … During a period heavy on run plays, Freeman spun out of a tackle on the first rep and then, after wearing down the scout team a little more, broke free for a couple long runs. Then, Benoit came in and had two more runs past the second level. It was not unlike what we've seen over the years in games, with Freeman softening up the defense to the entire run game's benefit.
Other observations: Herbert was at the front of the line for position drills Wednesday, after being third behind Burmeister and Taylor Alie on Tuesday. But head coach Willie Taggart has yet to specify whether Herbert might be cleared in time to play Saturday. … There was an officiating crew on hand, and the couple flags I saw thrown were for the defense lining up offside. One of the officials remarked that the Ducks are playing much more disciplined in practice than a few weeks ago. …
The offensive line helped spike the energy level early in practice with some hijinks. First, Shane Lemieux jumped into a ball security drill; Marcus Arroyo stripped him pretty easily, prompting offensive line coach Mario Cristobal to summon Lemieux back to his position group by bellowing, "back where you belong!" Then, the receivers and DBs were wrapping up 1-on-1 drills when Brady Aiello and Malik Young jumped in for a rep. They got tied up at the line and Aiello shrugged away Young to gain a step on the defensive lineman, but Young made up ground and poked the ball out as it arrived.
Pre-practice interviews:
Head coach Willie Taggart
Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt
Defensive line coach Joe Salave'a
