Practice Report/Monday With Mario
12/02/19 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
With the Pac-12 Championship to be held Friday (5 p.m. PT, ABC), the Ducks were back to work in practice Monday, after which Mario Cristobal held his weekly press conference.
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Shells
With the Pac-12 Championship game to be played on Friday of this week, the UO football team adjusted its practice schedule and rather than taking Monday off had a full workout in preparation for facing Utah (5 p.m. PT, ABC).
Head coach Mario Cristobal's weekly press conference with local media also was held Monday, as usual. So we'll combine our weekly "Monday with Mario" feature and the daily practice report.
What we learned from the head coach:
1. The Ducks were shooting for a balance when they scripted their practice schedule for this week, with help from the athletic department's sports science staff, which monitors student-athlete workloads.
Typically the first full practice of the week would be in full pads; then again, typically the first full practice of the week would be on a Tuesday. Since the Ducks practiced Monday, less than 48 hours after their Civil War win over Oregon State, the team was in shells – helmets and shoulder pads, but shorts rather than padded pants.
"You can't compromise work, but you can't overload it," Cristobal said. "You have to stay physical in practice, but you can overdo it. We find that balance."
2. Offensively, the Ducks are looking to get clicking again after a couple of games in which the passing game wasn't particularly sharp.
When Justin Herbert carved up Arizona's defense to the tune of 333 yards and four touchdowns on Nov. 16, it was his third straight game with a completion percentage above 70 percent, and seventh of the season. Since then, though, the Ducks completed less than 60 percent combined against Arizona State and OSU.
"It's not good enough, and it's on all of us," Cristobal said. "… We've gotta do a better job. We've had some really great moments this year. Judging by today's practice, I feel confident our guys are ready to play well."
3. Oregon had better be sharp Friday, because the Ducks are facing their most formidable opponent of the year.
Utah, Cristobal said, boasts "the most talented defense we have faced." Statistics back that up – the Utes lead the Pac-12 in pretty much every significant defensive category, from stopping the run to limiting pass efficiency, as well as the likes of third-down defense and in the red zone.
Cristobal also spoke highlight of Utah's "big, physical group" on the offensive line. But the Utes have skill as well – quarterback Tyler Huntley might be the favorite at this point to be named Pac-12 offensive player of the year, and running back Zack Moss recently became the first player in Utah history to post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Both players missed last year's win by Utah over the Ducks in Salt Lake City.
"You're talking about two difference makers," Cristobal said.
4. The Ducks could have a difference maker of their own back in action Friday night.
Center Jake Hanson was injured during the loss to Arizona State, and sat out the Civil War game. But Cristobal said Monday that Hanson was full-go for practice and on track to play Friday against Utah.
Likewise, linebacker Dru Mathis is expected to return after missing the Civil War. Receiver Daewood Davis, who was not in pads for the Oregon State game, is still questionable for the Pac-12 Championship game.
5. Along with postseason play, December often is a time for coaching staff changes, and as of the last couple years it features a signing day for recruits as well.
Both impacted Oregon this past weekend. On the staffing front, analyst Prentice Gill left after one season with the Ducks, reportedly for a spot on staff at Arizona State.
On the recruiting front, the Ducks had visitors in this past weekend, as they finalize spots in the class that will begin signing later this month. But Cristobal said they adjusted the visit schedule to account for Pac-12 Championship game preparations, bringing recruits into town Thursday and bidding them farewell Sunday morning – giving the staff time to turn their attention to Sunday evening's walk-through and planning for the rest of this week.
Practice highlights: Practice closed with some "good on good" drills in which the offense had an edge. Travis Dye ripped off a couple nice runs with the ones, and Herbert threw a dart to Johnny Johnson III; in terms of the right mix of velocity and touch, it was up there with the pass from Herbert to Johnson that set up Oregon's first touchdown at Arizona State. … With the twos on the field, Tyler Shough connected a couple times with Bryan Addison, and Cyrus Habibi-Likio had a big run. …
The team also held a very long service period, giving the offense and defense a chance to face Utah plays and schemes as run by Oregon's travel-squad units, rather than only scout-team guys. In that period, Verone McKinley III came up to the line to stop a run play before it got started, and Sampson Niu tackled a running back for a loss. Herbert and Shough both had nice throws on the move, avoiding pressure and completing passes downfield. … In field-goal drills, Camden Lewis put Saturday's miss against Oregon State behind him, going a perfect 4-for-4. His series included made kicks from 44 and 48 yards out.
Other observations: The personnel notes and such that would normally fill this space were covered pretty thoroughly by Cristobal above.
Post-practice interview:
Head coach Mario Cristobal
