Photo by: Rob Moseley/GoDucks.com
Football Practice Report: April 22
04/22/23 | Football, @GoDucksMoseley
The Ducks held their second spring scrimmage on Saturday in Autzen Stadium.
Venue: Autzen Stadium
Format: Scrimmage
Just one more full week remains in spring practice for the Oregon football team this spring, after the Ducks wrapped up the penultimate week of drills with their second scrimmage of April on Saturday in Autzen Stadium.
Like the week before, the scrimmage began with drill work before ramping up into 11-on-11 drills. There were chances for the offense to move the field, and for the defense to try and get stops on third down and in the red zone. And there were some new situations introduced, such as the "4-minute/2-minute" drill the Ducks incorporated into practices this week.
As always, there was give and take between the two sides.
"Really did a good job early with the offense, moving the ball down the field and being able to punch it in and get some early scores," head coach Dan Lanning said. "And then kind of came back with the defense, in third down and some of the situational football at the end."
After turning the ball over on the opening drive the week before, Bo Nix and his "Green" team opened Saturday's scrimmage by driving to a touchdown, on a run by Bucky Irving. Tez Johnson later caught a touchdown pass from Nix, and Jayden Limar had a touchdown reception from Ty Thompson.
The defense was able to produce some turnovers, including a scoop-and-score by defensive lineman Ben Roberts and an interception by Dontae Manning in the "4-minute/2-minute" drill.
"Got to do a better job of protecting the ball offensively, and then continue to do a good job of attacking defensively," Lanning said. "So, can't get too excited or too upset either way there, but obviously some things to improve on."
Lanning praised the high rep count the Ducks achieved in the scrimmage. The volume of plays illustrated in part some success the offense had sustaining drives.
"Probably just indicates that there weren't as many stops on third down," Lanning said. "We had some sustained drives, and I wanted to let the series play out. So we had a little bit higher rep count a couple of times with the offense moving the ball early."
The Ducks will be back in action with a practice Tuesday, and another Thursday. Those workouts lead up to the Spring Game, which will again pit a "Green" team against a "Yellow" unit.
"We're trying to play as close as we can to a game," Lanning said. "It's always the fine line of trying to protect your team and make sure you're being smart and safe, but also create that game environment. And for us, we're gonna have a packed stadium — that's the plan — and we want to create that game environment, let guys go compete."
Notable: Offensive lineman Marcus Harper II was held out of the scrimmage as a precaution, Lanning said. … Several dozen University of Oregon faculty and staff members attended the scrimmage after the football program put out an invitation on campus. … Lanning spent part of his Friday evening at Jane Sanders Stadium, where he threw out the first pitch prior to the Oregon softball team's run-rule win over Arizona.
Quotable:
Defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin on having his son, DB Cole Martin, join the team
"It's been a good experience. It's been a lot easier than I thought it would be, because coach Lanning, coach Tosh and coach Hampton are on his butt for everything. So, they get to him before I get to him."
Head coach Dan Lanning on next week's NFL Draft, with Christian Gonzalez a top prospect
"Whatever team gets Christian, I mean, they're hitting a home run. He's one of the best corners I've ever been around — and a better human. I'm excited for every one of our guys that have an opportunity in this draft. There's gonna be a lot of great Ducks that get an opportunity to make NFL teams better."
Post-practice interviews:
Head coach Dan Lanning
Cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin
Junior defensive back Dontae Manning
Junior linebacker Jestin Jacobs
Format: Scrimmage
Just one more full week remains in spring practice for the Oregon football team this spring, after the Ducks wrapped up the penultimate week of drills with their second scrimmage of April on Saturday in Autzen Stadium.
Like the week before, the scrimmage began with drill work before ramping up into 11-on-11 drills. There were chances for the offense to move the field, and for the defense to try and get stops on third down and in the red zone. And there were some new situations introduced, such as the "4-minute/2-minute" drill the Ducks incorporated into practices this week.
As always, there was give and take between the two sides.
"Really did a good job early with the offense, moving the ball down the field and being able to punch it in and get some early scores," head coach Dan Lanning said. "And then kind of came back with the defense, in third down and some of the situational football at the end."
After turning the ball over on the opening drive the week before, Bo Nix and his "Green" team opened Saturday's scrimmage by driving to a touchdown, on a run by Bucky Irving. Tez Johnson later caught a touchdown pass from Nix, and Jayden Limar had a touchdown reception from Ty Thompson.
The defense was able to produce some turnovers, including a scoop-and-score by defensive lineman Ben Roberts and an interception by Dontae Manning in the "4-minute/2-minute" drill.
"Got to do a better job of protecting the ball offensively, and then continue to do a good job of attacking defensively," Lanning said. "So, can't get too excited or too upset either way there, but obviously some things to improve on."
Lanning praised the high rep count the Ducks achieved in the scrimmage. The volume of plays illustrated in part some success the offense had sustaining drives.
"Probably just indicates that there weren't as many stops on third down," Lanning said. "We had some sustained drives, and I wanted to let the series play out. So we had a little bit higher rep count a couple of times with the offense moving the ball early."
The Ducks will be back in action with a practice Tuesday, and another Thursday. Those workouts lead up to the Spring Game, which will again pit a "Green" team against a "Yellow" unit.
"We're trying to play as close as we can to a game," Lanning said. "It's always the fine line of trying to protect your team and make sure you're being smart and safe, but also create that game environment. And for us, we're gonna have a packed stadium — that's the plan — and we want to create that game environment, let guys go compete."
Notable: Offensive lineman Marcus Harper II was held out of the scrimmage as a precaution, Lanning said. … Several dozen University of Oregon faculty and staff members attended the scrimmage after the football program put out an invitation on campus. … Lanning spent part of his Friday evening at Jane Sanders Stadium, where he threw out the first pitch prior to the Oregon softball team's run-rule win over Arizona.
Quotable:
Defensive backs coach Demetrice Martin on having his son, DB Cole Martin, join the team
"It's been a good experience. It's been a lot easier than I thought it would be, because coach Lanning, coach Tosh and coach Hampton are on his butt for everything. So, they get to him before I get to him."
Head coach Dan Lanning on next week's NFL Draft, with Christian Gonzalez a top prospect
"Whatever team gets Christian, I mean, they're hitting a home run. He's one of the best corners I've ever been around — and a better human. I'm excited for every one of our guys that have an opportunity in this draft. There's gonna be a lot of great Ducks that get an opportunity to make NFL teams better."
Post-practice interviews:
Head coach Dan Lanning
Cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin
Junior defensive back Dontae Manning
Junior linebacker Jestin Jacobs
Players Mentioned
DB
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OL
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RB
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ILB
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WR
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RB
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DB
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DL
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QB
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