Football Practice Report: April 9

Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Shells

Three days after Oregon's defense helped provide for an entertaining experience Saturday during a scrimmage in Hillsboro, the Ducks put on another show Tuesday.

The UO football team returned to practice back in Eugene, and the defense generally controlled the scrimmage situations. The last couple practice periods featured both a red-zone scenario and a two-minute drill, and the defense kept the offense off the scoreboard throughout.

Still just a few weeks into the implementation of new defensive coordinator Andy Avalos' system, the Ducks aren't missing a beat.

"The best part of what's going on right now is, we've got a bunch of hungry guys that are willing to learn, adjust, adapt and move forward with what's best for Oregon's defense," Avalos said. "They're working hard, and, while we need to continue to improve the consistency and all the little things, the guys are working really, really hard. They're excited about what's going on and what we're doing, and we're out on the field having fun and playing with energy."

Indeed, the defense has a little extra pep in its step these days. The first 11-on-11 period Tuesday featured back-to-back sacks by Austin Faoliu, and an interception by Steve Stephens; at the end of his return, Stephens was flattened by offensive lineman Devin Lewis, but he popped up and could laugh about it as he jogged off the field. On the next play, Charles Sudduth deflected a ball into the air and MJ Cunningham snared it for another turnover.

125356

Avalos said the UO defense wants to force at least "three takeaways every time we step on the field." Thomas Graham Jr. obliged in the red-zone drill, picking off a pass to end the drive for the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense. Then, in the two-minute drill, the defense went one better, as Graham tipped a pass, Isaac Slade-Matautia couldn't corral it but batted it into the air again, and Bryson Young hauled it in for another pick.

Senior linebacker Troy Dye enjoyed it all, but did point out that the defense right now has the advantage of throwing completely new concepts at the offense. Later this spring, and come fall, the offense will have a better sense of what the defense is showing, and how to attack it.

"It's kind of like a new game every practice, because they don't know what the defense is," Dye said. "We're going to bring it, so for sure it is a blast. … It's kind of fun to go out there and have fun with the boys, just run around and be free."

125358

Other highlights: The strong finish for the defense came after the offense started really well. In 1-on-1 drills in the red zone, Justin Herbert opened the drill with a TD pass to Johnny Johnson III, and Jaylon Redd hauled in a TD on the next play. "Beautiful," said an offensive coach. "That was terrible," said someone from the defense. Such is the give-and-take in practice, every rep, every day. … Later in that drill, Juwan Johnson made a great catch on a fade, but Deommodore Lenoir and Mykael Wright did have nice breakups in the end zone. …

Tuesday's practice featured a bunch of work for the kickers. Zach Emerson was nearly perfect on his attempts, the exception being a 50-yarder that fell just short of the crossbar. Freshman Camden Lewis drilled his first attempt but wasn't as consistent as Emerson; there's no doubting the power of his leg though. The ball sounds a little different coming off Lewis' foot. He fits the mold of former UO kicker Jared Siegel, another guy of smaller stature but with a huge leg. …

125354

Brenden Schooler hauled in a TD pass of about 50 yards from Herbert in a later team drill. Schooler used a double move; the first got him wide open, and someone on the offensive sideline yelled, "yes, sir!" before the pass was even released. … In the two-minute drill, Schooler made a catch on third-and-10 to keep the drill alive, and Juwan Johnson moved the chains again four plays later with a catch on fourth down. With the twos on the field, Tyler Shough completed three passes to Mycah Pittman before the defense clamped down. It seems the new receivers are helping elevate the play of the group as a whole.

Other observations: During punt drills, Travis Dye, Schooler and Pittman fielded kicks at various points. New receivers coach Jovon Bouknight was coaching them up. … The attention to detail of some of the newer position coaches is fun to watch. In an early passing drill, Herbert didn't connect with Johnny Johnson III and Juwan Johnson on a couple reps. At the end of the period, the air horn rang out and players ran to new drills, but those three stayed back and re-ran their reps to get them right, as Bouknight looked on. … Running backs coach Jim Mastro calls out what front the defense is in during basic handoff drills involving quarterbacks and running backs. So the backs have to work not only on the QB-RB exchange, but also their vision and decision-making as they approach the line after getting the ball.

125353