Football Practice Report: Nov. 6
11/06/19 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Oregon football team is stressing fundamentals and technique during its bye-week practices.
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads
The schedule says this is a bye week, but the Oregon football team was hard at work Wednesday.
After returning to practice with a walk-through Tuesday, the Ducks were back in full pads for the first time since their 56-24 win at USC this past Saturday. Freshly anointed the No. 7 team in the country by the College Football Playoff selection committee, the Ducks are looking ahead to their next game, at home on Nov. 16 against Arizona (7:30 p.m., ESPN).
"It's always nice to be talked about and to be in that conversation," UO coach Mario Cristobal said after practice. "But quite frankly, the whole focus has been and continues to be us taking care of our own business.
"Our entire focus is on us. I know it's a boring answer. But it's what we do."
Wednesday's practice looked a little different than others this fall, but only a little. There was no scout team designated, so developmental-squad players were in green and white gear like the veterans. And some periods that usually feature work for the No. 1 and No. 2 units also featured time for the No. 3 groups to take reps against each other.
There was also extensive fundamental work early in practice, basic blocking and tackling drills that are a significant part of offseason workouts.
"We're going to stay sharp on the things we feel we're doing good; we're going to tweak the things we feel we need to improve on," Cristobal said. "And we're going to grind on fundamentals and technique – particularly blocking, tackling and securing the football."
Practice highlights: Practice ended as it does each Wednesday, with a two-minute drill. Justin Herbert moved the chains once with a long completion to Juwan Johnson, but pass breakups by Thomas Graham Jr. and Jevon Holland got the defense off the field. With the twos up, Mykael Wright ended the drill – and thus practice – with a phenomenal diving interception. … During field-goal drills, both Camden Lewis and Henry Katleman made a 50-yard attempt with the entire team surrounding them as a distraction. Katleman's kick sailed through right at the very top of the uprights; it was a bomb. …
Sean Dollars had one of his more impressive practices so far at Oregon. During one "good on good" period with the No. 2 offense against the No. 2 defense, he got blocks from Jonah Tauanu'u and Sam Poutasi and was off to the races. "He gone!" said a teammate on the sideline. … A couple of true freshmen had two of the biggest hits of the morning. Keyon Ware-Hudson worked his way down the line and delivered a big hit to stop Jayvaun Wilson on a run, and Mase Funa came off a block to wrap up Bryan Addison after a short pass.
Other observations: With Nick Pickett slated to serve a first-half suspension next week due to his targeting ejection at USC, Brady Breeze worked with the first-team defense Wednesday. Regardless of Pickett's status, Breeze "has certainly earned the right to be on the field more," Cristobal said. … True freshman receivers Lance Wilhoite and JR Waters have been ramping up their practice participation the last few weeks and could be close to making their UO debuts. … Cristobal said running backs CJ Verdell (groin) and Cyrus Habibi-Likio (quad) and offensive lineman Dallas Warmack (hip) all are projected to play next week after being limited at USC by injuries.
Post-practice interview:
Head coach Mario Cristobal
