Oregon Football Practice Report: Nov. 4
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads
Back in pads for the first time since holding Stanford to one touchdown Saturday, Oregon’s defensive line set an impressive tone for this week during today’s practice.
DeForest Buckner and Tui Talia in particular were constantly in the backfield, making life tough on the scout-team offensive line and running backs. It was an encouraging sign as the Ducks prepare to play Saturday night at Utah (7 p.m. PT, ESPN), which boasts one of the Pac-12’s most powerful rushing offenses.
Running back Devontae Booker is second in the Pac-12 and 11th nationally with 123.8 rushing yards per game, and in conference play he’s averaging 162.2 yards. The offensive line is led by junior left tackle Jeremiah Poutasi, a 6-foot-6, 330-pound behemoth who is on track to make his 31st career start, and one of three Utes linemen to have started every game this season.
Utah’s passing game hasn’t been as consistent; big-play receiver Dres Anderson was lost for the season with a knee problem, and quarterbacks Travis Wilson and Kendal Thompson are battling in practice this week for the right to start Saturday night. By Utah coach Kyle Whittingham’s admission, the Utes are somewhat one-dimensional on offense.
And yet that one dimension, Booker and the rushing attack, keeps chugging along. “Booker is a physical, physical dude,” UO coach Mark Helfrich said. “He’s one of those guys with great pad level. He doesn’t look like this huge power back, and all he does is break tackles and accelerate through contact. ... And the front is phenomenal. Big, fast, physical guys that are playing really well.”
Wilson, a seven-game starter this season, has yet to throw an interception, and the dual-threat Thompson has played in six games while rushing for 164 yards, second on the team. While they’ve limited mistakes, Utah is No. 111 in the country in passing yards per game with 175.3.
Still, the Ducks will be on alert in the secondary come Saturday. “I’ve said before, if you can run the ball you can do anything,” Helfrich said. “They can definitely run the ball, create single coverage outside and take some shots.”
Highlights: Again, the defense in particular was sharp this morning. From Buckner and Talia up front, to Joe Walker and Derrick Malone Jr. at linebacker, to Erick Dargan on the back end, they showed no mercy on the scout team. ... Tony Washington had a couple nice pass breakups, both in position drills and 7-on-7. Chris Seisay and Dior Mathis added interceptions during the 7-on-7 period. ... When the offense and defense went head to head, Walker made a run stop near the line of scrimmage, and Reggie Daniels broke up a pass. ...
Offensively, Devon Allen had an early highlight. Dominique Harrison was running step for step with him about 40 yards downfield in one drill. But then in one long, explosive stride, Allen got just enough separation to reach a deep ball and haul it in. ... Royce Freeman had a long gain in the “good-on-good” period, and Thomas Tyner had a nice run helped by a Hroniss Grasu pancake block. ... B.J. Kelley won a couple reps for the scout team in 7-on-7 by getting open over the top, and Jarret LaCoste had a really explosive run in 11-on-11.
Other observations: Did you see the Vine of Odell Beckham’s one-handed catches in warmups before Monday Night Football yesterday? Darren Carrington had a catch like that in 7-on-7 today. ... Mariota had a rare reception during one of the last team periods of the day. Jalen Jelks reached up a swatted down a pass, right back to the quarterback. ... If long runs by Freeman, Carrington and Zac Schuller were any indication, the kickoff return unit was on point during its practice period today. ... A few players wore practice jerseys today with a new fabric on the shoulders that Nike is testing for possible future use.
