Football Practice Report: March 29
03/29/22 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks returned to action Tuesday following final exams and spring break.
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
Following two weeks off for final exams and then spring break, the Oregon football team resumed spring practices Tuesday, a day after the spring quarter began at the university.
The start of a new academic quarter meant a handful of new additions to the roster as the Ducks held their third of 15 practices this spring. For the veterans, Tuesday was a chance to get back to work and hopefully hit the ground running after two weeks off – although there appeared to be a little rust to shake off, as well.
"There was some juice; I thought we could have had another level of juice," UO coach Dan Lanning said. "I want to see it taken to another level. The intensity was there, the focus was there. But we have to push ourselves in practice to be the best we want to be. And I think we can take it up a notch; I was hoping for a little bit more."
Tuesday's team periods included some big plays by the offense, including a long run by one of the newcomers, Noah Whittington, who enhances depth at running back alongside Byron Cardwell and Sean Dollars. But there were also a couple of interceptions in those periods, as well.
"Good job on the explosive plays," Lanning said, "but we want to take care of the ball going forward."
It was a similar story in a 2-minute drill to cap practice. The first time through the scenario, the defense got off the field without allowing a score to win the drill. The offense was more efficient on the next rep of the drill, driving to a "game-winning" field goal.
Tuesday's practice also included work on third-and-long situations, as the Ducks drill game-like conditions as often as possible this spring.
"We're going to try to create situations in practice a lot," Lanning said. "Today was 2-minute; it's something we can coach off of. We want to model the game as much as possible in practice and then coach those situations on film."
Notable: The Ducks welcomed seven scholarship newcomers for practice Tuesday, including Whittington, receivers Chase Cota and Justius Lowe, linebackers Devon Jackson and Harrison Taggart, defensive back Jahlil Florence and offensive lineman Michael Wooten. Cota is the son of former UO safety Chad Cota and the cousin of another former UO safety, Brady Breeze. "I think this place means a little bit to Chase; you can see that," Lanning said. …
Safety JJ Greenfield has returned to the program after playing last season at a junior college. Greenfield had three tackles in six appearances for the Ducks during the 2020 season. … Former UO assistant coaches John Neal and Neal Zoumboukos watched parts of practice from the sideline. … Also in attendance were Anthony Brown, Johnny Johnson III and Verone McKinley III, who are in town to participate in Oregon's Pro Day workout Friday.
Quotable:
Head coach Dan Lanning
On how much was expected of the seven newcomers Tuesday
"At the end of the day, each guy is a little different. How fast do they pick it up – are they drinking out of a water hose, or do they have it all figured out? We're going to give them as much as they can handle."
On the status of staff member Don Johnson after a health scare earlier this month
"As we know right now with Don, it's still very serious. It's still a serious deal, but things are trending in a way that's very hopeful. Thoughts and prayers are continued. We've got to keep hoping for the best."
Post-practice interview:
Head coach Dan Lanning
