Photo by: Rob Moseley/GoDucks.com
Football Practice Report: March 16
03/16/24 | Football
The Oregon football team was back on the practice field on Saturday for its second practice of the 2024 spring season. The Ducks will now take a two-week break from practice for finals week and spring break before returning on April 2. The team will then practice three times a week leading up to the annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 27, in Autzen Stadium.Â
Offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi met with reporters following Saturday's practice. Below are some highlights as well as videos of both interview sessions.
Offensive Coordinator Will Stein
On what he's seen from transfer quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore: "They're professionals. They take it seriously, just like Austin (Novosad) does, and Luke (Moga) is learning that same way. Dillon is a veteran guy. It's just like when Bo came in here with a lot of experience. Dillon has that same experience. Dante had experience last year at UCLA playing in games. Austin is so much farther ahead now than he was at this point last season because he knows the system. I think everyone has done a really good job of preparing themselves for walk throughs and spring practice. I'm very excited about their progress so far."
On who steps up at the offensive skill positions following NFL departures: "There's always competition. I think we have one of the best rosters in the country. We lost Troy (Frranklin), but I believe in Traeshon Holden and Gary Bryant Jr. Tez Johnson is one of the best players in the country. Terrance Ferguson — I need to get him the ball more. He's a fantastic receiver too. Bucky had 56 or 53 catches last year. I expect Noah Whittington to be healthy this year and be a guy who can catch the ball out of the backfield. There is some production that needs to be replaced, but I feel confident with the guys that we have.
On what young players need to do this spring to earn playing time:Â "Knowing what to do. We carry a lot in our offense, especially in the pass game. We do it out of a lot of different formations. So, being able to line up and go execute is the biggest thing. They all have the talent, but as we all know, play strength is different too."
Defensive Coordinator Tosh Lupoi
On implementing the coach-to-player helmet communications this spring:Â "We're going through it right now. So, we're just experimenting with it. We're figuring out who is going to be best utilizing that and then how we use it. Definitely having some experience [in the NFL] helps there. At the same time, with the rules of it cutting off after 15 [seconds], there's still going to have to involve a lot of communication out there on the field. I think the key is practicing both mechanics, and not going wholesale one way or the other wit the signally and the communication there."
On how he wants to see the defense improve this spring:Â "It's starts with the culture, embracing the culture, and really having a growth mindset. We're attacking every single day. We're really not focused on the end result, but more the journey that it takes to get there. I really see that out of this group. We've only been two practices in, obviously, but the build up to this point with all of the running, the lifting, guys wanting to improve, guys wanting to get a head start. Immediately after the Fiesta Bowl victory, these guys were hungry to go get more, and felt like we really actually didn't accomplish what we wanted to. It's how to get there now. It's every day living in the process of how we can improve every day."
On what the return of guys with NFL potential says about the program:Â "We're thankful for the guys who wanted to come back. I think it will both improve their stock, as well as improve our team. It's a win-win there. That's our goal; to collectively provide them with a bunch improvement for their sake too, so they can be like these guys who visited today and did a great job at the Combine and the Pro Day. That's our job as coaches to improve them and develop them. That's our goal every day."
Offensive coordinator Will Stein and defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi met with reporters following Saturday's practice. Below are some highlights as well as videos of both interview sessions.
Offensive Coordinator Will Stein
On what he's seen from transfer quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore: "They're professionals. They take it seriously, just like Austin (Novosad) does, and Luke (Moga) is learning that same way. Dillon is a veteran guy. It's just like when Bo came in here with a lot of experience. Dillon has that same experience. Dante had experience last year at UCLA playing in games. Austin is so much farther ahead now than he was at this point last season because he knows the system. I think everyone has done a really good job of preparing themselves for walk throughs and spring practice. I'm very excited about their progress so far."
On who steps up at the offensive skill positions following NFL departures: "There's always competition. I think we have one of the best rosters in the country. We lost Troy (Frranklin), but I believe in Traeshon Holden and Gary Bryant Jr. Tez Johnson is one of the best players in the country. Terrance Ferguson — I need to get him the ball more. He's a fantastic receiver too. Bucky had 56 or 53 catches last year. I expect Noah Whittington to be healthy this year and be a guy who can catch the ball out of the backfield. There is some production that needs to be replaced, but I feel confident with the guys that we have.
On what young players need to do this spring to earn playing time:Â "Knowing what to do. We carry a lot in our offense, especially in the pass game. We do it out of a lot of different formations. So, being able to line up and go execute is the biggest thing. They all have the talent, but as we all know, play strength is different too."
Defensive Coordinator Tosh Lupoi
On implementing the coach-to-player helmet communications this spring:Â "We're going through it right now. So, we're just experimenting with it. We're figuring out who is going to be best utilizing that and then how we use it. Definitely having some experience [in the NFL] helps there. At the same time, with the rules of it cutting off after 15 [seconds], there's still going to have to involve a lot of communication out there on the field. I think the key is practicing both mechanics, and not going wholesale one way or the other wit the signally and the communication there."
On how he wants to see the defense improve this spring:Â "It's starts with the culture, embracing the culture, and really having a growth mindset. We're attacking every single day. We're really not focused on the end result, but more the journey that it takes to get there. I really see that out of this group. We've only been two practices in, obviously, but the build up to this point with all of the running, the lifting, guys wanting to improve, guys wanting to get a head start. Immediately after the Fiesta Bowl victory, these guys were hungry to go get more, and felt like we really actually didn't accomplish what we wanted to. It's how to get there now. It's every day living in the process of how we can improve every day."
On what the return of guys with NFL potential says about the program:Â "We're thankful for the guys who wanted to come back. I think it will both improve their stock, as well as improve our team. It's a win-win there. That's our goal; to collectively provide them with a bunch improvement for their sake too, so they can be like these guys who visited today and did a great job at the Combine and the Pro Day. That's our job as coaches to improve them and develop them. That's our goal every day."
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
TE
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballBrian Michalowski | Spring Practice #11
Saturday, April 18
Dan Lanning | Spring Practice #11
Saturday, April 18
Jamari Johnson | Spring Practice #11
Saturday, April 18
Devon Jackson | Spring Practice #11
Saturday, April 18
