Football Practice Report: Nov. 13

Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads

The zone-read option took the Pac-12 by storm when the Ducks began running it a decade or so ago. Lately, the Air Raid has been embraced around the conference, notably by Washington State and USC.

On Saturday, the UO defense will contend with both systems. Arizona employs a little of each, and preparations for Oregon are further complicated by the fact the Wildcats play two quarterbacks, and adjust their scheme accordingly.

Back for Arizona is quarterback Khalil Tate, whose athleticism can cause fits but who also threw for three touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Oregon last season. For the last few weeks, Tate has been splitting time with freshman Grant Gunnell, who is averaging nearly 8.5 yards per passing attempt.

"Both of the quarterbacks, they do different things well, so we have to prepare for both," UO safety Verone McKinley III said. "But it hasn't really changed (Oregon's preparation) much."

Tate was Arizona's opening day starter this season, and he had over 100 yards rushing in two of the Wildcats' three nonconference games. The Ducks haven't seen a lot of zone-read in games this season, UO defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said, but they're prepared to defend it.

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Avalos said gap control is imperative from interior linemen like Jordon Scott and Drayton Carlberg, while guys like Bryson Young and La'Mar Winston Jr. will need to set the edges and not let Tate get outside for long runs.

Because when he gets into open space, look out.

"He breaks every first tackle," UO cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. "He's a running back at quarterback – he can outrun you, he can run you over, he can juke you. You've just got to have as many people as you can running to the ball, and everyone taking the right leverage."

Tate missed a game earlier this season, and Gunnell took advantage of the opportunity. He was 29-of-44 passing for 352 yards and a touchdown to beat UCLA. The last four weeks, both quarterbacks have played, with Tate getting more pass attempts against Washington and Stanford, and Gunnell having more against USC and Oregon State.

Even though Air Raid principles might be more frequent with Gunnell on the field, both quarterbacks will look to run, Avalos said.

"You've got the potential for the quarterback always being a threat to take off with that thing and go, by design," Avalos said. "Both quarterbacks are able to extend pass plays as well, and you see that's where a lot of their rushing yards come from too, is the quarterback taking off and going. And then extending plays – they throw the ball very well when they're outside the pocket."

Practice highlights: For the second week in a row, Jevon Holland made the practice-capping 2-minute drill something more akin to a 10-second drill. With the No. 1 offense facing the No. 1 defense, Holland made a leaping interception on the very first rep to win the scenario for the defense. … With the twos on the field, Tyler Shough got the ball past midfield with a completion to Bryan Addison. But a sack moved the offense back, into a third-and-long situation. Mycah Pittman nearly made a fingertips catch to get the offense down near the red zone, but the ball popped free as he fell to the turf. An ensuing incompletion on fourth down gave the No. 2 defense a win. …

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Shough had a couple heady plays while leading the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense midway through practice. On the second rep of the drill, he found Sean Dollars matched up against a linebacker and completed a pass to the back, who raced about 60 yards for a touchdown. On the next play, Shough made a quick decision with a blitzing defender in his face and dumped off a pass to Patrick Herbert, who made the grab. … Neither kicker was perfect in drills, but both Camden Lewis and Henry Katleman made 45-yard kicks with the staff and players surrounding them and cheering as a distraction.

Other observations: The Ducks were back inside the Moshofsky Center on Wednesday. It was a drizzly morning in Eugene, but Saturday's forecast is for no rain, leading to the desire to practice in dry conditions. … Crowd noise was piped in for portions of practice, to prepare the Ducks for what figures to be a frenzied home crowd Saturday night. … With Dallas Warmack back in the mix after missing the USC game, he's competing hard with Brady Aiello for reps at right guard.

Post-practice interviews:

Head coach Mario Cristobal