Football Practice Report: Sept. 11
09/11/19 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Oregon football team held its second practice of the week in full pads Wednesday, as the Ducks prepare to host Montana on Saturday (7:55 p.m. PT, Pac-12).
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
In last week's win over Nevada, UO offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo used 32 players on his side of the ball. Arroyo's regular rotation in games will usually be more like 15 or 16 guys, but the 77-6 victory allowed him to rotate in several younger players who now have game film to analyze and learn from for their next opportunity, whenever it might arise.
Arroyo's counterpart on defense, Andy Avalos, also had more evaluations than usual to do when he reviewed the postgame film. The Ducks used 38 players on defense last week, and 29 of them made the final stat sheet. For Avalos, though, employing so many players will be the norm most weeks this season.
"In all our packages, we have at least a two-deep, and we want to feel comfortable rolling with them all, sending an all new group in," Avalos said. "And we have three, four different packages. So we're talking about a lot of bodies."
Oregon's top-rated recruiting class already has made a big splash, with 14 players seeing game action through two weeks. Ten of those true freshmen play defense, led by edge rushers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Mase Funa, and cornerback Mykael Wright.
The Ducks have gotten reps for two guys who are starters on special teams, linebacker Ge'mon Eaford and safety Jamal Hill, and yet another cornerback, DJ James, has played in both games already. And as last week's game wore on, Avalos subbed in four more players on the line — Keyon Ware-Hudson, Kristian Williams, Brandon Dorlus and Sua'ava Poti.
"The other night there were a lot of freshmen on the field," Avalos said. "At one point, I don't think I've ever experienced anything where there were that many freshmen on the field — which is a good thing. We got some of that water from behind the ears."
Avalos' freshmen aren't just playing, they're producing. Funa is the only true freshman in the country to already have recorded multiple sacks this season. Ware-Hudson had three tackles in his debut against Nevada, and Williams and Dorlus recorded their first career tackles as well.
As the season progresses, the defense might not quite go 38 players deep in any given game. But the regular rotation could include a couple dozen players at least, guys who are on the right track through two weeks of this season.
"We definitely are happy about where we're going," Avalos said. "The guys are enthused about what we're doing — and are eager to continue to get better. Even in the locker room after the game, guys were saying, 'There's things we can get better at. We're not there yet.' That's the everyday motivation that we need."
Practice highlights: Practice ended with a two-minute drill, in which the offense needed to score a touchdown. Justin Herbert got the No. 1 offense across midfield and into the red zone with a chunk play by Jaylon Redd. Darrian Felix then got the offense down to the 5-yard line, and though the defense got stops on second and third downs, Felix finished off the drive with a touchdown on fourth down. With the twos on the field, Tyler Shough connected with Spencer Webb to get the ball across midfield. But four straight incompletions followed, with safety Steve Stephens breaking up passes on the last two reps to win the scenario for the No. 2 defense. …
The defensive backs were dominant during an 11-on-11 period against the scout team, intercepting passes on seven of 10 reps at one point. Thomas Graham Jr., Brady Breeze, Deommodore Lenoir, Nick Pickett and Stephens all had interceptions during the parade of turnovers. … The whole team get pretty fired up by the field-goal kicking period. Camden Lewis connected from 32, 44 and 49 yards, and new backup Henry Katleman was good from 24 and 48. He missed an attempt from 34 by mere inches, but it had so much leg behind it that it caught the attention of players watching from the sidelines.
Other observations: Mario Cristobal's message to players after practice was a reflection on the anniversary of 9/11. If you get the chance, he said, take time to find someone in uniform and thank them for their service. "That's all you've got to tell them," Cristobal said. "It goes a long way." … The coach told media after practice that receiver Juwan Johnson's status for Saturday's game will be determined Friday or early Saturday. Tight end Cam McCormick is probably at least a week away from returning, he added. … Brenden Schooler has begun running on his surgically repaired foot. Mycah Pittman (shoulder) also remains sidelined in the short term, but he was at practice Wednesday practicing Oregon's play signals, keeping himself sharp mentally for when he's cleared to return.
Post-practice interviews:
Head coach Mario Cristobal
Senior linebacker Troy Dye
Junior safety Brady Breeze
Freshman linebacker Mase Funa
