Oregon Football Practice Report: Dec. 1
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads
Given the fluctuating availability of various players week to week this season, Oregon’s offensive line has rarely borne the same resemblance with any consistency. Lately, the news has been mostly good, with Andre Yruretagoyena and Matt Pierson returning to the rotation in consecutive weeks, and Hamani Stevens capably holding down the center spot until Hroniss Grasu returns.
All in all, the UO offensive line is in a better place this week – entering Friday’s Pac-12 title game against Arizona – than it was the last time the Ducks faced the Wildcats. In that Oct. 2 game, the lone UO loss of the season, Yruretagoyena and Jake Fisher both were unavailable, throwing inexperienced tackles Pierson and Tyrell Crosby into more prominent roles than might have been expected in preseason camp.
As of Oregon’s Civil War win on Saturday, however, not only have Fisher and Yruretagoyena been back for multiple games, but Pierson and Crosby have become much more seasoned thanks to a year’s worth of playing time. In Corvallis on Saturday, the Ducks started Fisher, Jake Pisarcik, Stevens, Cameron Hunt and Crosby, with Yruretagoyena, Pierson, Doug Brenner and more in reserve.
“All the game experience really helps you hone your craft,” said Pierson, who started six games at tackle this fall and also got some reps at guard in Oregon’s practice Monday. “So I’d like to think I’ve improved in that regard. But I’ve just got to focus on what I need to do this week. Focus on my job and get it done.”
Fisher’s absence for the loss to Arizona drew considerable attention nationally, and has been taken into account by the College Football Playoff selection committee, its chairman said. The Civil War was Fisher’s seventh straight start since returning, but he says the chance to finally face Arizona won’t be a major source of motivation for his eighth on Friday.
“Revenge won’t get you where you want to go,” Fisher said. “You’ve got to have a straight mind. With a short week you’ve got to dial in mentally, make sure we come out physical. They know what they’re doing, they’re going to stick with their game plan and we’ve got to take it like we do every week, break it down and enjoy the process.”
Despite the return of Yruretagoyena against Colorado and Pierson at Oregon State, Crosby started those games at right tackle. The true freshman has developed into a remarkably dependable player on the line, building on a stellar preseason camp.
“Right now I’m a lot more comfortable than I was before,” Crosby said. “Making calls, seeing the defense, knowing what kind of front they’re in. And my technique’s gotten better.”
Pierson returned from a two-game absence in the first half against the Beavers, contributing to a couple of early touchdown drives. “It was great to be back,” he said. “I missed it a lot, obviously. Being on the sidelines is rough. You cheer on your teammates, but it’s hard not to be out there.”
Highlights: Most entertaining period of practice was a “good on good” segment early on, with the travel squad going head-to-head rather than against scouts. Royce Freeman kicked it off by eluding a defensive lineman for positive yardage. … Christian French stopped a run play for no gain on the next snap, but overall the offense caught my eye a little more. … Byron Marshall had a couple nice runs, Charles Nelson slipped through a safety’s grasp for a solid gain, and Crosby sealed the edge of the line for a Kenny Bassett carry. … In position drills, Reggie Daniels intercepted a pass that was deflected by a receiver.
Other observations: Offensive coordinator Scott Frost quickly nipped in the bud post-practice questions about the new open head coaching position at his alma mater, Nebraska. “I’ve got a job to do here,” Frost said. “These kids and this staff have put too much time and effort into this to be distracted.” Frost was announced Monday as a finalist for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach. … The kickoff return and punt teams were drilled in special teams periods. …
I thought Jeff Lockie looked particularly sharp. As he noted following a few appearances in September, getting snaps in games – as Lockie did Saturday in Corvallis – definitely carries over into practice. …. After a “modified Monday” workout Sunday, the Ducks dialed back on the hitting for the final few periods today, just two days after the Civil War. … Some key scout-team assignments this week: Morgan Mahalak as Anu Solomon, Tony James as Terris Jones-Grigsby, J.J. Jones as Nick Wilson and Grant Thompson as Scooby Wright.
