Observations From Second Scrimmage

EUGENE, Ore. – For the first time since its win over Arizona State last November, the Oregon football team was back inside Autzen Stadium on Saturday for practice No. 11 of the spring.

With the spring game just a week away, the Ducks played through some steady rain during their second scrimmage in as many weeks, which lasted just over 100 plays.

"The spring game is a really big deal," head coach Mario Cristobal said. "Our spring game inside Autzen Stadium is a huge deal and we want that place rocking. It is another opportunity to showcase what we are. We want to make sure our playmakers are on the field to put on a great show for our fans and we want our guests to see what our stadium is like on gameday."

Just like most of the spring, the first team offense and first team defense went head-to-head when they were on the field. A majority of the practice was live tackling until the end when the team worked on getting into field goal range with just over 90 seconds to play.

DEFENSE STARTS FAST
It appeared early on it was going to be the defense's day, as the offense failed to manage a first down over its first four drives. The first team defense forced the first two three-and-outs while the second team forced the final two. The offense had at least 3rd-and-8 or longer on all four drives and was unable to convert.

OFFENSE FIGHTS BACK
After its four consecutive three-and-outs, the offense put together three straight drives that resulted in a touchdown.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Tyler Shough helped get the offense on the board first, orchestrating an eight-play scoring drive that started at the 33-yard line. Shough completed all three of his passes for 36 yards on the drive, as the offense was never faced with a third down. Cyrus Habibi-Likio ripped off a 12-yard run early in the drive, while Shough found Hunter Kampmoyer for 16 yards and Spencer Webb for 14 yards before Habibi-Likio finished things off from four yards out.

The second drive was keyed by a big defensive pass interference on fourth and medium. Just two plays later, Justin Herbert and the first team offense was faced with a third-and-10, but Herbert found tight end Cam McCormick for an 11-yard completion underneath. On the next play, sophomore Travis Dye took the handoff through a big hole on the left side and raced 36 yards for the TD without getting touched.

Herbert and the first team offense kept the momentum going in the third consecutive scoring drive by going 59 yards in five plays. Herbert connected with wide receiver Juwan Johnson on a pair of passes that totaled 28 yards before dropping a perfect passes to early enrollee Josh Delgado in the end zone for a 26-yard completion.

HABIBI-LIKIO CONTINUES STRONG SPRING
Known as just a goal line back after scoring seven TDs on 18 carries in 2018, sophomore running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio has worked hard to shed that label this spring.

"Cyrus really has had a heck of a spring and he ran hard today between the tackles," Cristobal said. "He's improved his speed, he's an excellent blocker and he's a good all-around football player. He makes us a better team."

With fellow running back Darrian Felix held out due to having the flu, Habibi-Likio displayed his ability to be an every-down back on Saturday with an increased workload, taking 15 carries for 75 yards and a TD. After the four consecutive three-and-outs by the offense to open the scrimmage, the second team unit found the end zone on a four-yard run by Habibi-Likio, as he powered through some tackles for the score. On the scoring drive, Habibi-Likio accounted for four carries for 25 yards. Later in the scrimmage with the offense backed up on its one-yard line, Habibi-Likio put together back-to-back 10-yard runs to move the ball over the 30-yard line. A majority of his reps came with the second team.

OTHER NOTABLES
Sophomore STUD D.J. Johnson had two sacks over a sequence of three plays to put an end to a promising drive by the second team offense … Earlier in the scrimmage, Johnson covered and tackled a tight end in the flat to get a stop on third down … Other players who had a sack: Isaac Slade-Matautia, Andrew Johnson Jr., Andrew Faoliu and Verone McKinley III … Shough connected with Kyle Buckner for a 40-yard completion later in the scrimmage and three plays later found Tevin Jeannis for a 20-yard score on third down … In the two TD drives he led, Shough completed all five passes for 96 yards … Travis Dye finished with seven carries for 60 yards, highlighted by the 36-yard TD … First team offensive line: Penei Sewell (LT), Shane Lemieux (LG), Jake Hanson (C), Dallas Warmack (RG) and Brady Aiello (RT).