Rose Bowl Practice Report: Dec. 29
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: StubHub Center
Format: Shells
After Sunday's practice in full pads, Oregon's normal game-week schedule would have called for another Monday before the Ducks dialed it back. UO coach Mark Helfrich instead had the team in helmets and shoulder pads Monday, but otherwise the workout resembled a normal midweek practice.
And what a practice it appeared to be. The coaching staff seemed very pleased with the work the Ducks put in, after Helfrich said Sunday he really wanted to see the team sharpen things up mentally in this workout. "Our mindset right now is excellent — excellent," Helfrich said. "Now, for the next 72 hours what do we do? Improve."
Indeed, there are three days left until Oregon faces Florida State in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl. The focus the rest of the week will be sharpening up things like communication, and the Ducks seem to have laid some good groundwork. "Nice job, guys, nice job," defensive coordinator Don Pellum shouted at one point. "That sounds like us."
Already invigorated by the encouraging practice, the Ducks got another jolt of energy afterward when a familiar face dropped by — injured cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who was in the area for a doctor's appointment. Ekpre-Olomu, who will miss the playoff with a knee injury suffered earlier this month, gave a pep talk to the defensive backs, and posed for pictures with teammates.
"It feels good definitely, after being away from the team for a week," he said. "It's good to be back with your teammates and see that they're on the right path. But then again it feels like you never really left; I talk to them every day."
Ekpre-Olomu said his message to the defensive backs boiled down to, "trust what you've been doing the whole year. Confidence has been built throughout the year; it's not about this one week, or me giving you a speech. It's about us and what we've done, and believing in each other."
Though Ekpre-Olomu remains unsure whether he will watch the Rose Bowl from the sideline or the press box, he definitely plans to attend the game. "It will be special," he said. "I couldn't imagine just watching it on TV. It'll be nice to be at the game and feel that you're a part of it."
Highlights: As usual three days prior to a game, the Ducks did a bunch of red-zone work today. On the first defensive snap, Joe Walker busted through the line and drove a running back about 15 yards into the backfield. Rodney Hardrick later tipped a pass near the goal line that was nearly intercepted, and Erick Dargan came up to thump a scout-team tight end on a short pass. … Offensively, Marcus Mariota peppered the ball around to the likes of Devon Allen and Keanon Lowe, and Mariota joined Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner in rushing for touchdowns. The best individual play of the period might have been a leaping, fingertips catch by Johnny Mundt in the back of the end zone. … Tony James, playing the role of FSU running back Dalvin Cook, managed to rush for a touchdown, and Morgan Mahalak threw a TD pass to Jake McCreath, who is playing FSU tight end Nick O'Leary.
Other observations: The Ducks don't technically have a fullback on the roster, but burly running backs Lane Roseberry and Jarret LaCoste have filled that role on the scout-team offense. … After practice, the team waded two laps in cold pools for the sake of recovery. … Among the alumni on hand to watch were George Wrighster, Dwight Ford, Michael Fletcher, Isaac Walker, Brian Collins, Eric Barnes, Eugene Jackson and Brandon McLemore.
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: StubHub Center
Format: Shells
After Sunday's practice in full pads, Oregon's normal game-week schedule would have called for another Monday before the Ducks dialed it back. UO coach Mark Helfrich instead had the team in helmets and shoulder pads Monday, but otherwise the workout resembled a normal midweek practice.
And what a practice it appeared to be. The coaching staff seemed very pleased with the work the Ducks put in, after Helfrich said Sunday he really wanted to see the team sharpen things up mentally in this workout. "Our mindset right now is excellent — excellent," Helfrich said. "Now, for the next 72 hours what do we do? Improve."
Indeed, there are three days left until Oregon faces Florida State in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl. The focus the rest of the week will be sharpening up things like communication, and the Ducks seem to have laid some good groundwork. "Nice job, guys, nice job," defensive coordinator Don Pellum shouted at one point. "That sounds like us."
Already invigorated by the encouraging practice, the Ducks got another jolt of energy afterward when a familiar face dropped by — injured cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who was in the area for a doctor's appointment. Ekpre-Olomu, who will miss the playoff with a knee injury suffered earlier this month, gave a pep talk to the defensive backs, and posed for pictures with teammates.
"It feels good definitely, after being away from the team for a week," he said. "It's good to be back with your teammates and see that they're on the right path. But then again it feels like you never really left; I talk to them every day."
Ekpre-Olomu said his message to the defensive backs boiled down to, "trust what you've been doing the whole year. Confidence has been built throughout the year; it's not about this one week, or me giving you a speech. It's about us and what we've done, and believing in each other."
Though Ekpre-Olomu remains unsure whether he will watch the Rose Bowl from the sideline or the press box, he definitely plans to attend the game. "It will be special," he said. "I couldn't imagine just watching it on TV. It'll be nice to be at the game and feel that you're a part of it."
Highlights: As usual three days prior to a game, the Ducks did a bunch of red-zone work today. On the first defensive snap, Joe Walker busted through the line and drove a running back about 15 yards into the backfield. Rodney Hardrick later tipped a pass near the goal line that was nearly intercepted, and Erick Dargan came up to thump a scout-team tight end on a short pass. … Offensively, Marcus Mariota peppered the ball around to the likes of Devon Allen and Keanon Lowe, and Mariota joined Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner in rushing for touchdowns. The best individual play of the period might have been a leaping, fingertips catch by Johnny Mundt in the back of the end zone. … Tony James, playing the role of FSU running back Dalvin Cook, managed to rush for a touchdown, and Morgan Mahalak threw a TD pass to Jake McCreath, who is playing FSU tight end Nick O'Leary.
Other observations: The Ducks don't technically have a fullback on the roster, but burly running backs Lane Roseberry and Jarret LaCoste have filled that role on the scout-team offense. … After practice, the team waded two laps in cold pools for the sake of recovery. … Among the alumni on hand to watch were George Wrighster, Dwight Ford, Michael Fletcher, Isaac Walker, Brian Collins, Eric Barnes, Eugene Jackson and Brandon McLemore.
