Football Practice Report: Sept. 13

Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads

When the Oregon football team had finished off its first win of the season Saturday night, the UO defense could rightfully be proud of the improvement it showed over the season opener.

And yet, after the 70-14 victory over Eastern Washington, head coach Dan Lanning didn't want anyone feeling completely satisfied.

"I know this," Lanning said after the game, "there were 14 points up on that board that I want back. There's definitely some things we can improve on. The standard is the standard."

The Ducks got back to work trying to achieve their standard Monday, and practice continued Tuesday as the team prepares to host Brigham Young on Saturday (12:30 p.m., FOX). Regardless of the result last week, Lanning reiterated in another press conference Monday night, "we're really process-oriented." The process of improvement continued Tuesday, with a practice in full pads.

After practice Tuesday, players backed up their coach's desire to see even more improvement as the season progresses. The Ducks may have only allowed 14 points last week, but to them that was 14 points too many.

"That definitely is a reflection of the players – that's how we feel about it," senior linebacker DJ Johnson said. "As a defense the goal is to shut people out. So any time they score points, that means there's something to improve on."

DJ Johnson Practice

It's not only defense that helps keep points off the board; special teams is a factor as well, and Eastern Washington's first touchdown Saturday was set up by a long kickoff return, with penalty yardage tacked on at the end, to boot. Add that to the list of areas for improvement that should keep Oregon from feeling any complacency after the first win of the year.

"We've been having a good two weeks of practice," sophomore defensive back Christian Gonzalez said. "Everybody's being physical, especially on the perimeter – something we knew we have to work on. …

"We pride ourselves on being the most physical team, the most physical defense. And we've just got to keep pushing to improve that."

Notable: The phrase "iron sharpens iron" is used a lot around Oregon's practices, and there was an example of it Tuesday that went beyond simply taking reps against each other. After a 1-on-1 pass-rush rep between Marcus Harper II and Taki Taimani, the two linemen huddled up for a couple minutes off to the side to discuss the techniques they had used against each other, and how best the other could counter them. … Former UO coach Mike Bellotti attended part of practice and spent a few minutes afterward chatting with Lanning. …

At his weekly press conference Monday, Lanning expressed optimism that offensive lineman Ryan Walk and receiver Seven McGee would recover soon from injuries that limited them last week. … Cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin coached last week's game from the press box while safeties coach Matt Powledge replaced him down on the field, after Martin was run into on the sideline during the Georgia game.

Moliki Matavao Practice

Quotable:

Senior outside linebacker DJ Johnson
On how prepared the defense is to face a mobile quarterback this week
"We go against Bo Nix every day in practice; he's a mobile guy. You got Ty Thompson, he's a mobile guy. So we've been going against mobile guys every week. The more we go against them, the better we'll be."

On the chance to face aformer teammate in BYU offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia
"It's going to be good. Me and him actually had a pretty good relationship, so it'll be good to see him again. … It looks like he definitely has matured. So it's good to see he's growing."

Sophomore defensive back Christian Gonzalez
On how he was able to make an over-the-shoulder catch for an interception last week
"Coach (Martin) does a good job of making sure we get catches that are in awkward positions. Because you never know how you're going to get the ball."

Post-practice interviews:

Senior outside linebacker DJ Johnson