Photo by: @EricEvansPhoto
Ducks Put On Spring Show
04/29/23 | Football
Oregon's Spring Game on Saturday was a competitive battle, with veterans and newcomers shining for both squads.
EUGENE, Ore. — The Ducks put on a show Saturday for the annual Spring Game.
Big-time alumni dotted the sidelines in Autzen Stadium, big plays were produced on both sides of the ball, and some newcomers had the chance to make a big impression on the estimated crowd of 45,000 sun-splashed fans on hand to take it all in.
The Spring Game was technically practice No. 14 out of 15 for the Ducks this spring, with the final workout scheduled for Monday morning. But it was the showcase event on the spring schedule, the unofficial conclusion to a camp that allowed veterans to illustrate their development, newcomers to showcase their talents and the staff to get a sense of the team they will field when the 2023 season opens in September.
Some takeaways from the Spring Game:
1. Second-year head coach Dan Lanning was looking for a competitive game between evenly split teams, and he got one.
After a first quarter dominated by the defenses, Bo Nix and the Green team took a 10-0 lead into halftime on the first of three Camden Lewis field goals in the game, and a pretty 32-yard TD pass from Nix to Troy Franklin. At that point the Yellow squad was scoreless, but quarterback Ty Thompson bounced back from a slow start to throw two second-half touchdowns, the last coming on the final play of the game as Nix and the Green team escaped with a 23-20 win.
"That's football a little bit, right?" Lanning said of Thompson's strong finish. "You know, we had some batted balls early, some adversity early, didn't complete some, some slow starts. And then to be able to get some shots there at the end, I think that was big."
Thompson's touchdown passes were of 63 yards to newcomer Tez Johnson and 17 yards to Kris Hutson. Thompson finished the game 16-of-34 for 274 yards, while Nix was 19-of-40 for 193 yards.
Neither threw an interception, as there were no turnovers in the game. Officials on hand only threw six penalty flags, as well, as the Ducks' execution was fairly clean.
2. The slow start offensively was due in no small part to a really disruptive defensive front.
On the first play of the scrimmage, outside linebacker Mase Funa nearly repeated his pick-six from Oregon's dramatic win at Washington State last season. Funa ultimately finished with three pass breakups, and he also had one of the Ducks' four tackles for loss in the Spring Game.
A major theme for Oregon throughout this spring has been "good to great." Coming off a solid first season under Lanning and his staff, the UO defense is looking to take that step in 2023. They showed signs of doing so Saturday.
"It always starts up front," he said. "That's the mentality we always come in with. Just carrying off of last season, we didn't do a good job of what we wanted to. And so this year is really our statement year. Especially with up front, with all the guys that are gonna leave after this year. It's our last year to show out, so it's time to show out."
3. Fans got their first look at some newcomers to the program Saturday, and several made a good first impression.
The biggest play of the day was the 63-yard catch and run by Johnson, who joined the Ducks as a transfer this offseason. Nix and Johnson were on different squads for the Spring Game, but that could be a common connection come fall.
"Just watching him do that, I'm glad he's on my team," Nix said.
With Oregon's depth at tight end a question mark, freshman Kenyon Sadiq had some bright moments, catching two passes for 25 yards. Freshman Dante Dowdell led all rushers with 32 yards, on seven carries, while on defense Cole Martin had three tackles to lead all newcomers and Matayo Uiagalelei had one of the four tackles for loss.
4. Another newcomer who made his debut for Oregon fans Saturday was the Ducks' new offensive coordinator, Will Stein.
The first play of the Spring Game with Nix and the Green team on the field was a deep shot to Troy Franklin. Later Nix was for an 11-yard touchdown, giving the Green squad a 23-14 lead with 1:02 in the game. And in between, the Ducks showed a whole lot of other looks with Stein at the helm.
"We did a few shots, we had drop back, we had quick game, some naked, we had some pocket movement, we ran the ball," Nix said. "We did a lot, but it's the spring game so you don't show everything you got. And then the teams are split, so you still don't show everything you got.
"But yeah, he impressed me throughout the spring. I'm excited to play with him and to see what he does on real game day, because he's had success everywhere he's been. So I'm excited that he's our OC."
5. Along with a preview of the 2023 Oregon football team, the Spring Game was a celebration of so much else.
UO legends Marcus Mariota and Jevon Holland were honorary coaches, and even called some plays for their respective teams. Dozens more alumni were in attendance, and the program also hosted recruits for the weekend.
And then there were the annual tributes to military personnel, those lost in action, those still in action and those committing to future action protecting the United States.
"I thought it was a great turnout," Lanning said. "Our crowd was amazing as always. And really enjoyed the fact that we got to appreciate the military today and what they do for our country.
Big-time alumni dotted the sidelines in Autzen Stadium, big plays were produced on both sides of the ball, and some newcomers had the chance to make a big impression on the estimated crowd of 45,000 sun-splashed fans on hand to take it all in.
The Spring Game was technically practice No. 14 out of 15 for the Ducks this spring, with the final workout scheduled for Monday morning. But it was the showcase event on the spring schedule, the unofficial conclusion to a camp that allowed veterans to illustrate their development, newcomers to showcase their talents and the staff to get a sense of the team they will field when the 2023 season opens in September.
Some takeaways from the Spring Game:
1. Second-year head coach Dan Lanning was looking for a competitive game between evenly split teams, and he got one.
After a first quarter dominated by the defenses, Bo Nix and the Green team took a 10-0 lead into halftime on the first of three Camden Lewis field goals in the game, and a pretty 32-yard TD pass from Nix to Troy Franklin. At that point the Yellow squad was scoreless, but quarterback Ty Thompson bounced back from a slow start to throw two second-half touchdowns, the last coming on the final play of the game as Nix and the Green team escaped with a 23-20 win.
"That's football a little bit, right?" Lanning said of Thompson's strong finish. "You know, we had some batted balls early, some adversity early, didn't complete some, some slow starts. And then to be able to get some shots there at the end, I think that was big."
Thompson's touchdown passes were of 63 yards to newcomer Tez Johnson and 17 yards to Kris Hutson. Thompson finished the game 16-of-34 for 274 yards, while Nix was 19-of-40 for 193 yards.
Neither threw an interception, as there were no turnovers in the game. Officials on hand only threw six penalty flags, as well, as the Ducks' execution was fairly clean.
2. The slow start offensively was due in no small part to a really disruptive defensive front.
On the first play of the scrimmage, outside linebacker Mase Funa nearly repeated his pick-six from Oregon's dramatic win at Washington State last season. Funa ultimately finished with three pass breakups, and he also had one of the Ducks' four tackles for loss in the Spring Game.
A major theme for Oregon throughout this spring has been "good to great." Coming off a solid first season under Lanning and his staff, the UO defense is looking to take that step in 2023. They showed signs of doing so Saturday.
"It always starts up front," he said. "That's the mentality we always come in with. Just carrying off of last season, we didn't do a good job of what we wanted to. And so this year is really our statement year. Especially with up front, with all the guys that are gonna leave after this year. It's our last year to show out, so it's time to show out."
3. Fans got their first look at some newcomers to the program Saturday, and several made a good first impression.
The biggest play of the day was the 63-yard catch and run by Johnson, who joined the Ducks as a transfer this offseason. Nix and Johnson were on different squads for the Spring Game, but that could be a common connection come fall.
"Just watching him do that, I'm glad he's on my team," Nix said.
With Oregon's depth at tight end a question mark, freshman Kenyon Sadiq had some bright moments, catching two passes for 25 yards. Freshman Dante Dowdell led all rushers with 32 yards, on seven carries, while on defense Cole Martin had three tackles to lead all newcomers and Matayo Uiagalelei had one of the four tackles for loss.
4. Another newcomer who made his debut for Oregon fans Saturday was the Ducks' new offensive coordinator, Will Stein.
The first play of the Spring Game with Nix and the Green team on the field was a deep shot to Troy Franklin. Later Nix was for an 11-yard touchdown, giving the Green squad a 23-14 lead with 1:02 in the game. And in between, the Ducks showed a whole lot of other looks with Stein at the helm.
"We did a few shots, we had drop back, we had quick game, some naked, we had some pocket movement, we ran the ball," Nix said. "We did a lot, but it's the spring game so you don't show everything you got. And then the teams are split, so you still don't show everything you got.
"But yeah, he impressed me throughout the spring. I'm excited to play with him and to see what he does on real game day, because he's had success everywhere he's been. So I'm excited that he's our OC."
5. Along with a preview of the 2023 Oregon football team, the Spring Game was a celebration of so much else.
UO legends Marcus Mariota and Jevon Holland were honorary coaches, and even called some plays for their respective teams. Dozens more alumni were in attendance, and the program also hosted recruits for the weekend.
And then there were the annual tributes to military personnel, those lost in action, those still in action and those committing to future action protecting the United States.
"I thought it was a great turnout," Lanning said. "Our crowd was amazing as always. And really enjoyed the fact that we got to appreciate the military today and what they do for our country.
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