Photo by: @EricEvansPhoto
Football Practice Report: Dec. 28
12/28/19 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks were in full pads Saturday, and the energy was crackling as the team geared up for Wednesday's Rose Bowl against Wisconsin.
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park
Format: Full pads
In the penultimate padded practice of his five-year career at Oregon, senior offensive lineman Shane Lemieux was answering to a brand-new nickname.
For the Ducks' practice Saturday, it was "Chef Lemieux" being coached up by the UO staff, and razzed by his teammates on the offensive line. That was in reference to the chef getup Lemieux wore the night before, during Oregon's visit Friday to Lawry's The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills, for the restaurant's annual "Beef Bowl" featuring the participating teams in the Rose Bowl.
Lemieux had the honor of making the "first cut" Friday night, and wore a white hat and apron for the occasion. Hence the new nickname Saturday.
"Yeah, that was pretty funny," Lemieux said while walking off the practice field Saturday afternoon. "Guys had fun with it."
The Beef Bowl is a feature of the balancing act required by bowl teams. On the one hand, players want to soak up the pageantry of playing in the postseason. On the other hand, they know nothing matters so much as the result on the field come game day.
"It's a weird situation," Lemieux acknowledged. "You have to lock in because of the game it is, and the opponent we're facing. And at the same time relish the moment, because this is the only time I'll be in the Rose Bowl. It's just a balancing act."
If Saturday's practice was any indication, the Ducks are managing that balancing act well so far. UO coach Mario Cristobal's post-practice remarks to the team were as brief as they've been all season, because there wasn't much to critique — the Ducks were ready to go from the outset, and sustained energy and intensity throughout.
"We were dialed in as soon as we woke up this morning," Lemieux said. "In meetings everyone was having fun and loose, but at the same time ready to roll. It comes back to who we're facing: It's Wisconsin, a really tough team, and we have to be at our best. We have to play better than we've ever played to beat these guys."
As he walked off the practice field, Lemieux had another balancing act to manage. On the one hand, he wants to stay focused and intense in order to be at his best for the Badgers. On the other, he doesn't want to lose perspective on the fact the end of his college career is near at hand.
Moments such as Saturday's practice — which had the format of a Tuesday practice during the regular season — are to be treasured, and stored away as cherished memories.
"For sure that's what we're thinking, too," Lemieux said. "This is the last 'Tuesday' practice of my entire career. Just being able to get some more combo (blocks) in with Jake Hanson, some more reps in with Penei (Sewell), it just is really special. I love it. I loved this practice, this atmosphere we had today. It's looking good."
Practice highlights: Practice closed with a "good on good" period of offense vs. defense. CJ Verdell had a couple nice runs for the No. 1 offense against the starting defense, and Justin Herbert connected on a pass with Mycah Pittman. With the twos on the field, Tyler Shough had completions to Daewood Davis and Pittman, but Verone McKinley III ended the day on a good note for the defense by coming up near the line to wrap up Cyrus Habibi-Likio. … One of the biggest plays all day came in an earlier service period, with the travel squad facing off but acting as the scout team for each other. The offense executed a scramble drill to perfection, with Tevin Jeannis (above) getting vertical as the play broke down and Shough hitting him over the top for a long touchdown. …
In a 7-on-7 period against scouts, Bryson Young drifted back into coverage and broke up a pass, and on the next rep Isaac Slade-Matautia intercepted a pass intended for Jeannis. … Field-goal drills were capped as usual by Cristobal calling the offense and defense onto the field to surround the placekickers and try to distract them. Camden Lewis was unfazed, drilling an attempt from 49 yards out.
Other observations: There was a most welcome sight as the Ducks took the field for practice, with Pittman suited up in a normal practice jersey and not a red non-contact jersey. Pittman continues to prepare as if he'll play Wednesday, though medical staff will have the final say to ensure he's healthy enough to participate after his late-season arm injury. … A small crew of officials was on hand, as has been the case for padded practices in Eugene this season. … Family members of five players — Austin Faoliu and Andrew Faoliu, Brady Breeze, Jonah Tauanu'u and Mase Funa — were on hand to watch practice.
Format: Full pads
In the penultimate padded practice of his five-year career at Oregon, senior offensive lineman Shane Lemieux was answering to a brand-new nickname.
For the Ducks' practice Saturday, it was "Chef Lemieux" being coached up by the UO staff, and razzed by his teammates on the offensive line. That was in reference to the chef getup Lemieux wore the night before, during Oregon's visit Friday to Lawry's The Prime Rib in Beverly Hills, for the restaurant's annual "Beef Bowl" featuring the participating teams in the Rose Bowl.
Lemieux had the honor of making the "first cut" Friday night, and wore a white hat and apron for the occasion. Hence the new nickname Saturday.
"Yeah, that was pretty funny," Lemieux said while walking off the practice field Saturday afternoon. "Guys had fun with it."
The Beef Bowl is a feature of the balancing act required by bowl teams. On the one hand, players want to soak up the pageantry of playing in the postseason. On the other hand, they know nothing matters so much as the result on the field come game day.
"It's a weird situation," Lemieux acknowledged. "You have to lock in because of the game it is, and the opponent we're facing. And at the same time relish the moment, because this is the only time I'll be in the Rose Bowl. It's just a balancing act."
If Saturday's practice was any indication, the Ducks are managing that balancing act well so far. UO coach Mario Cristobal's post-practice remarks to the team were as brief as they've been all season, because there wasn't much to critique — the Ducks were ready to go from the outset, and sustained energy and intensity throughout.
"We were dialed in as soon as we woke up this morning," Lemieux said. "In meetings everyone was having fun and loose, but at the same time ready to roll. It comes back to who we're facing: It's Wisconsin, a really tough team, and we have to be at our best. We have to play better than we've ever played to beat these guys."
As he walked off the practice field, Lemieux had another balancing act to manage. On the one hand, he wants to stay focused and intense in order to be at his best for the Badgers. On the other, he doesn't want to lose perspective on the fact the end of his college career is near at hand.
Moments such as Saturday's practice — which had the format of a Tuesday practice during the regular season — are to be treasured, and stored away as cherished memories.
"For sure that's what we're thinking, too," Lemieux said. "This is the last 'Tuesday' practice of my entire career. Just being able to get some more combo (blocks) in with Jake Hanson, some more reps in with Penei (Sewell), it just is really special. I love it. I loved this practice, this atmosphere we had today. It's looking good."
Practice highlights: Practice closed with a "good on good" period of offense vs. defense. CJ Verdell had a couple nice runs for the No. 1 offense against the starting defense, and Justin Herbert connected on a pass with Mycah Pittman. With the twos on the field, Tyler Shough had completions to Daewood Davis and Pittman, but Verone McKinley III ended the day on a good note for the defense by coming up near the line to wrap up Cyrus Habibi-Likio. … One of the biggest plays all day came in an earlier service period, with the travel squad facing off but acting as the scout team for each other. The offense executed a scramble drill to perfection, with Tevin Jeannis (above) getting vertical as the play broke down and Shough hitting him over the top for a long touchdown. …
In a 7-on-7 period against scouts, Bryson Young drifted back into coverage and broke up a pass, and on the next rep Isaac Slade-Matautia intercepted a pass intended for Jeannis. … Field-goal drills were capped as usual by Cristobal calling the offense and defense onto the field to surround the placekickers and try to distract them. Camden Lewis was unfazed, drilling an attempt from 49 yards out.
Other observations: There was a most welcome sight as the Ducks took the field for practice, with Pittman suited up in a normal practice jersey and not a red non-contact jersey. Pittman continues to prepare as if he'll play Wednesday, though medical staff will have the final say to ensure he's healthy enough to participate after his late-season arm injury. … A small crew of officials was on hand, as has been the case for padded practices in Eugene this season. … Family members of five players — Austin Faoliu and Andrew Faoliu, Brady Breeze, Jonah Tauanu'u and Mase Funa — were on hand to watch practice.
Players Mentioned
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OLB
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