Football Practice Report: Aug. 1
08/01/24 | Football
The Oregon football team held its second practice of fall camp during a hot afternoon on Thursday on the HDC practice fields.
The Ducks were in helmets and spiders for the second straight day, before moving to shells on Friday afternoon. Oregon is gearing up for a 2024 season that begins on Aug. 31 against Idaho in Autzen Stadium.
Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi and offensive coordinator Will Stein met with media after practice. Highlights from those interviews are below as well as the full video of both interviews.
DC Tosh Lupoi
On the preparation the defense has been able to put in before fall camp: "I think these guys have done a great job. It's very different than it was a long time ago; we're afforded a lot of time early now. It's nothing like the old days where you show up to camp and you're just starting the first beginning principals of your system, it's something that we've executed going back to January for most of these guys, other than a few newcomers. Constantly improve is what we're trying to accomplish here, per individual and then collectively hopefully put a good product out there as these guys devote the time and effort towards their craft."
On where the defense needs to improve from 2023: "Something we've got to get better at is red zone defense. We did a lot of things this offseason looking at possible different schematics, and then taking what we do and doing it better. We made a jump and improved and had some critical success on third downs, but consistently that's another goal of ours where we want to be winning at a much higher percentage on third down as well and continue that trend upward."
On what he wants the defense's identity to be in 2024: "We want to be a relentless defense. When you turn on the film, being a relentless defense, attacking the ball, and playing for something much bigger than yourself. That's what we want to accomplish out there. You'll see a cohesive brotherhood that plays at an extremely relentless level and is attacking the ball."
OC Will Stein
On quarterback Dillon Gabriel: "He's starting to really master our offense, and it's showing in practice and it showed in summer. His leadership is really starting to show as well; he's becoming more vocal and guys have really bought into him. The sky's the limit for him. He's an incredible person, number one, an extremely tough-minded individual, and he's an outstanding quarterback. I'm glad he's on our team."
On how running back Jordan James can get better from last season: "Just continuing to improve. When you look at him right now, he's faster than he's ever been. I'm talking about real, breakaway speed, which is impressive. He's another guy that's now in year three of this system, and year two with me, so the terminology and time on task, he's at a point now where he can go run every route, protect every pass pro, and I think he's a three-down back. He's an incredible player and we're excited about what he's going to do for us this season."
On where he wants to see the offense improve from last season: "I mean, if you look at our rankings in the major statistical categories, they're all obviously really good. Penalties are something that killed us in spots, and we always want to be a team that plays clean. Reducing penalties both pre-snap and post-snap, playing clean, and then it comes down to turnovers and explosive plays. Anytime we can limit turnovers and have more explosives than the other team, we're in good shape."
The Ducks were in helmets and spiders for the second straight day, before moving to shells on Friday afternoon. Oregon is gearing up for a 2024 season that begins on Aug. 31 against Idaho in Autzen Stadium.
Defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi and offensive coordinator Will Stein met with media after practice. Highlights from those interviews are below as well as the full video of both interviews.
DC Tosh Lupoi
On the preparation the defense has been able to put in before fall camp: "I think these guys have done a great job. It's very different than it was a long time ago; we're afforded a lot of time early now. It's nothing like the old days where you show up to camp and you're just starting the first beginning principals of your system, it's something that we've executed going back to January for most of these guys, other than a few newcomers. Constantly improve is what we're trying to accomplish here, per individual and then collectively hopefully put a good product out there as these guys devote the time and effort towards their craft."
On where the defense needs to improve from 2023: "Something we've got to get better at is red zone defense. We did a lot of things this offseason looking at possible different schematics, and then taking what we do and doing it better. We made a jump and improved and had some critical success on third downs, but consistently that's another goal of ours where we want to be winning at a much higher percentage on third down as well and continue that trend upward."
On what he wants the defense's identity to be in 2024: "We want to be a relentless defense. When you turn on the film, being a relentless defense, attacking the ball, and playing for something much bigger than yourself. That's what we want to accomplish out there. You'll see a cohesive brotherhood that plays at an extremely relentless level and is attacking the ball."
OC Will Stein
On quarterback Dillon Gabriel: "He's starting to really master our offense, and it's showing in practice and it showed in summer. His leadership is really starting to show as well; he's becoming more vocal and guys have really bought into him. The sky's the limit for him. He's an incredible person, number one, an extremely tough-minded individual, and he's an outstanding quarterback. I'm glad he's on our team."
On how running back Jordan James can get better from last season: "Just continuing to improve. When you look at him right now, he's faster than he's ever been. I'm talking about real, breakaway speed, which is impressive. He's another guy that's now in year three of this system, and year two with me, so the terminology and time on task, he's at a point now where he can go run every route, protect every pass pro, and I think he's a three-down back. He's an incredible player and we're excited about what he's going to do for us this season."
On where he wants to see the offense improve from last season: "I mean, if you look at our rankings in the major statistical categories, they're all obviously really good. Penalties are something that killed us in spots, and we always want to be a team that plays clean. Reducing penalties both pre-snap and post-snap, playing clean, and then it comes down to turnovers and explosive plays. Anytime we can limit turnovers and have more explosives than the other team, we're in good shape."
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