Football Practice Report: Oct. 22
10/22/19 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks returned to practice Tuesday with their focus on a visit to Autzen Stadium by Washington State on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ESPN).
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads
Cyrus Habibi-Likio had a career-high nine carries against California in Oregon's first game of October, and parlayed them in a career-high 37 yards. Six days later against Colorado, who set new career bests again, with 47 yards on 13 carries, including three touchdowns.
Then, this past Saturday at UW, Habibi-Likio sets new standards for himself yet again. He ran 14 times for 81 yards and touchdown against the Huskies, picking up the baton after CJ Verdell was injured and becoming the workhorse as Oregon turned momentum in the game through a punishing, ball-control offense.
"He's gotten an opportunity," UO quarterback Justin Herbert, "and he's taken advantage of it."
Habibi-Likio got opportunities last season as a redshirt freshman, albeit in a very defined role. Through five games in 2018 he had scored six touchdowns – on 13 carries that totaled 16 yards. This year has been different, with Habibi-Likio earning carries not just inside the red zone, but with the entire length of the field to drive.
"It feels pretty good," he said Tuesday. "But all touchdowns feel the same."
Habibi-Likio's touchdown run at UW was 14 yards – one yard longer than the 13 total rushing yards needed for his seven TD runs in 2018.
Habibi-Likio said having a year of experience under his belt was probably the biggest factor in his breakout this fall. But he helped himself as well by being coachable.
"I just really trusted everyone – every coach on the staff," he said. "Trusted their word and did as much as I can, everything they told me to do. Took the weight program seriously, conditioning and all that, and really got into my playbook."
His efforts didn't go unnoticed. And for the last few weeks, they've been rewarded.
"We've developed a trust in Cyrus to do his job," offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said. "He's done an awesome job. …
"Cyrus is a good example of a guy that's continued to stay the course and developed over the time he's been with us. The last few weeks have been indicative of his work."
Practice highlights: The Ducks did a bunch of "good on good" work, and receivers finished off periods on a high note a couple of times. On the last rep of 7-on-7, Bryan Addison shook a defender and got vertical to haul in a deep ball from Tyler Shough. And in the final period of the day, Juwan Johnson made a leaping grab near the sideline that got the biggest reaction from the sideline of the entire morning. … Johnson made a similar grab in position drills, providing two of the day's best highlights. …
Jake Hanson and Jordon Scott went blow for blow in pass rush drills. Hanson completely locked Scott up the first time they went head-to-head; the drill was reset, and Scott chucked Hanson aside to even the score. … In field-goal drills, Taylor Koth connected from 41 yards out and Camden Lewis was good from 40. … In a service period with the No. 2 offense running scout-team plays for the No. 1 defense, Shough's first pass didn't make it past the line of scrimmage as Kayvon Thibodeaux exploded off the line and tipped it.
Other observations: Rain was falling in Eugene early Tuesday, but with the forecast Saturday calling for clear skies, the Ducks took practice inside the Moshofsky Center. … Daewood Davis did some drills back at cornerback, where he began this season before switching to receiver after a run of injuries at that position in August. … Among those injured receivers was true freshman Lance Wilhoite, who was as active a participant in drills Tuesday as he has been since preseason camp.
Post-practice interviews:
Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo
Senior quarterback Justin Herbert
Junior receiver Johnny Johnson III
Junior receiver Jaylon Redd
Sophomore running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio
