Football Practice Report: Dec. 22

Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Helmets and shorts

Sean Dollars is making a habit of making his presence felt when he's back on his home turf in southern California.

It was about this time last year that Dollars, a redshirt freshman from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., was having a breakout moment within the walls of the Oregon football program, prior to the Rose Bowl. That helped set the stage for his breakout moment for all the world to see, in last Friday's Pac-12 Championship game at USC.

Limited to three appearances in the 2019 regular season to preserve his redshirt status, Dollars moved over to the scout team prior to the Rose Bowl. He mimicked Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor in bowl practices, preparation that helped the UO defense limit Taylor to 94 yards in Oregon's victory.

Small but significant contributions like that help a player earn confidence from his coaches. They earned Dollars some playing time in the Rose Bowl. And his hard work was rewarded again last week when, with CJ Verdell out, the staff had no qualms about turning to Dollars, who ran for 52 yards on seven carries Friday against the Trojans, a cool 7.4 yards per carry.

Dollars Practice

"The team and the coaches have been doing everything they can to keep me prepared," Dollars said Tuesday, following Oregon's first practice for the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2 (1 p.m. PT, ESPN). "For the last two years I've been working, trying to find my spot. And when the coaches called, I had to step up. I feel like that's what I did."

Dollars has been an attentive student under running backs coach Jim Mastro. He's worked to become an all-around back, dangerous between the tackles but with the speed to hit the edges. Dollars is a capable receiver out of the backfield, and he works hard to hone the skills as a pass blocker that Mastro demands of all his backs.

Friday's win in Los Angeles was especially meaningful to Dollars because it happened on, of all days, his birthday.

"To be able to celebrate with the team, through the adversity throughout the year," he said, "that's what made it special for me."

Katleman Practice

Practice highlights: The Ducks practiced for about an hour Tuesday morning, primarily doing position drills and special teams work. But practice also included not one but two 2-minute drill scenarios, one with the offense needing a field goal to win, and one requiring a touchdown. First up, with the offense needing a field goal, Jaylon Redd had a reception to get the offense past midfield, and a catch-and-run by Johnny Johnson III moved the chains on a third-and-long play. Three reps later, a tipped pass by the defense at the line stopped another third down, but Henry Katleman made a 40-yard field goal to win the drill. …

Josh Delgado, Kris Hutson and Cyrus Habibi-Likio were the playmakers for the No. 2 offense in that drill, helping set up a 29-yard field goal that Camden Lewis made to give the offense a sweep of that scenario. … In the later drill requiring a touchdown, the reps between the first-string units came down to a final-play shot toward the end zone, which Jamal Hill broke up near the goal line. The No. 2 offense won again, though, when a collision between a receiver and a defender sent the ball ricocheting a few yards farther downfield, right into the arms of Tevin Jeannis, who raced into the end zone for a walk-off touchdown to end practice.

Jeannis Practice Mo

Other observations: An abbreviated bowl practice schedule means not as many reps for younger guys as you'd usually see in December. But the staff is still trying to get them a little extra work; defensive linemen Jayson Jones and Maceal Afaese were with the No. 2 defense for a few reps during the 2-minute drill. …

After practicing at receiver last week and playing in the Pac-12 championship game on special teams, Cale Millen was back in a red quarterback jersey for Tuesday's practice. … The Ducks will practice Wednesday and Thursday before taking the Christmas holiday off Friday.