Ducks Open up 'O' in Scrimmage
EUGENE ? The University of Oregon’s new-look offense held the upper hand as the Ducks’ benefited from a 50-minute controlled scrimmage to complete their fifth of 15 spring practices in the Moshofsky Center.
The Ducks’ spread offense kept the defense on its heels for most of the scrimmage as part of their two-hour indoor workout, yet the novelty of the attack also presented the offense with it’s share of problems.
Oregon ball carriers twice turned the football over on fumbles and returning starting quarterback Kellen Clemens completed one of his 10 pass attempts for a 10-yard loss after retrieving a muffed snap that sailed over his head while he was setup in a shotgun formation.
For the day, Clemens completed six of 10 passes for 45 yards. Sophomore-to-be quarterback Dennis Dixon completed four passes for 36 yards and added 20 yards rushing on three carries while completing a 2-yard scoring toss to freshman tight end Casey McKillip and scampering for a 25-yard scoring run.
“Defensively, we need to do a better job stopping the run, that’s our mission in life, and then we’ve got to pressure the quarterback,” head coach Mike Bellotti said. I think we’re doing a better job of pass protection, offensively. I think the offense we’re running lends itself to creating a little uncertainly for the defense. But still I need to see better effort in terms of pass rush and stopping the run. That falls on the defensive line and linebackers.
“We had some (good) hits, I need to see more. I think the newness of the offense is affecting both sides of the ball. We’re uncertain at times offensively and we’re uncertain at times defensively. We’re just really not sure what to do and how to cut it loose. When we turn the lights on, whether it is in here (Moshofsky Center) or in Autzen Stadium, and say ?this is live,’ I want to see a dramatic difference in what happens. I didn’t see enough of that today.”
Sophomore Andiel Brown and freshman Terrell Jackson benefited from the extra work dealt their way due to the absence of returning starting tailback Terrence Whitehead, who was recovering from off-season ankle surgery. Brown led all rushers with 42 yards on eight carries while Jackson ran for 15 yards on six attempts.
Redshirt freshman tight end Ryan Keeling led all receivers with three catches for 39 yards, including a 16-yard touchdown grab from Brady Leaf. Brian Paysinger caught two passes for 26 yards while Dante Rosario added a pair of receptions for 1 yard.
“I thought Kellen did a great job making some plays. I thought our two running backs, Terrell Jackson and Andiel Brown, did a nice job. They did some good things. I didn’t see enough from the receivers, I thought the quarterbacks made some key throws under pressure that were pretty good. I thought our defense stepped up at times. But overall, we’re making progress. It’s not where I want to be and we have to get a lot better in terms of the way we practice and the way we step it up on game day.”
The Ducks will stage next week’s workouts on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
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