Football Practice Report: Aug. 15
08/15/19 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Oregon football team was back in full pads Thursday, and drilling game situations after mostly completing the installation of schemes.
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
Thursday's Oregon football practice marked the end of the second full week since preseason camp began, and the 12th practice in 14 days. The format of practices has taken a decided turn this week, as coaches have mostly wrapped up the task of installing their various schemes for this season on offense and defense.
"A lot of review," UO offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said Thursday. "Once you get to 12, you're turning to more situational football. You're trying to go through your checklist of things that give your guys a chance to see things that are game-like."
Arroyo is entering his second season as Oregon's full-time offensive coordinator, and so presumably had less to install overall this offseason than Andy Avalos, the first-year UO defensive coordinator installing a completely new system. But Avalos also said he's wrapping up the installation process.
"We're working on a lot of situational things now," Avalos said. "Making sure our guys understand end-of-game situations, field position situations, and just really making sure that we do a great job with our diligence and make sure our guys understand that stuff."
Practices earlier this week included "clutch" drills that simulated the end of the half with scant time on the clock, and the Ducks practiced an overtime scenario Wednesday. On Thursday, the primary scrimmage scenario was a "four-minute/two-minute" drill – one offensive unit worked to protect a lead with four minutes on the clock, but if it was unsuccessful a different unit had the chance to take possession for a "two-minute drill" and try to drive to a go-ahead score.
On Wednesday, the No. 2 offense bested the No. 2 defense both in a clutch scenario and in overtime. But on Thursday, the No. 2 defense evened the score. The first time the drill was run, the No. 1 offense killed all but about 90 seconds of game clock, leaving the door open for the No. 2 offense to rally; but the No. 2 defense didn't allow so much as a first down, getting itself off the field.
The drill was restarted with the No. 2 offense looking to protect a lead, but the No. 2 defense forced a quick three-and-out. That gave Justin Herbert and the No. 1 offense ample time to drive to a "game-winning" field goal, but Nick Pickett had other things in mind; the junior safety converged on a receiver as a pass arrived, plucked it out of the receiver's hands as he tried to secure the catch, and raced the other way for a defensive touchdown.
"Everybody's winning right there, because we're all one team," Avalos said. "That's one of the best things, that we divide the team up so we're playing one offense and a defense, and (another) offense and a defense, so it's not defense vs. offense, and I think that's huge. And think the guys did a great job with that today as well."
Other highlights: With the Ducks in full pads, practice began with an Oklahoma drill. For the second week in a row, tight end Hunter Kampmoyer and safety Steve Stephens have impressive reps in the drill. Offensively, Ryan Walk, Dawson Jaramillo and JJ Tucker also had solid reps, and on defense Kristian Williams, Brandon Dorlus, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Verone McKinley III showed out. … Tyler Shough followed up his impressive showing in Wednesday's scrimmage situations with a nice 7-on-7 period Thusday, dropping passes into the arms of Josh Delgado and Isaah Crocker. …
In an 11-on-11 period, La'Mar Winston Jr. and Isaac-Slade-Matautia converged on Justin Herbert in the backfield; the play wasn't blown dead so Herbert unleashed a pass that Jevon Holland dove to break up. On third down, Pickett made a tackle right in front of the first-down marker. … The field-goal kickers were a perfect 5-for-5 for the second time this week. Camden Lewis made 39-yard kicks from each has mark, and Adam Stack also was 2-for-2.
Other observations: Trikweze Bridges has been pressed into action at corner for some periods over the course of this week, and he had at least three pass breakups Thursday. That's one long cornerback, a nice counter to all the length the Ducks have added at receiver. … Steven Jones got some work with the No. 1 offensive line again, this time at right tackle. … Oregon last year moved away from exposing the quarterback much in the run game. But if a play breaks down, freshman Cale Millen can really scoot.
Post-practice interviews:
Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo
Defensive coordinator Andy Avalos
