Oregon Football Practice Recap: Sept. 10
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads
Both plays were touchdown runs, but they couldn’t have been more dissimilar. The Ducks first scored last week against Michigan State on a 1-yard run by Thomas Tyner between the tackles, and built the lead to double digits early in the fourth quarter when Royce Freeman went around the right end for 38 yards.
One commonality: The blocking of UO tight end Pharaoh Brown. The junior lined up as a wing back on Tyner’s run, essentially playing fullback on the play, and on Freeman’s run sealed MSU defensive end Marcus Rush outside to form a gaping hole in the Spartans’ defensive front.
Tight ends coach Tom Osborne said today Brown generally graded out well against Michigan State, but he was at his best on the scoring plays. Brown also worked several times against MSU’s other outstanding end, Shilique Calhoun, who was limited to four tackles, none for lost yardage.
“Coming into that week, I knew I was going against some great defense linemen, probably some of the best I’ll face all year,” Brown said. “I kind of wanted to see where I stacked up against some NFL talent.”
Standing 6-foot-7, Brown will always have to focus on his pad level, but he certainly got low enough on Tyner’s touchdown at the goal line. Brown lined up for the play off right tackle, then stepped into the middle of the line to set a block on the last guy with a chance to stop Tyner short of the goal line.
“He knows what I’m doing, I know what he’s doing,” Brown said. “It’s just mano y mano, who’s going to work harder on the play.”
Brown didn’t end up catching a pass against the Spartans, as the Ducks rarely targeted their tight ends in the game. One of his two receptions against South Dakota a week earlier went for a touchdown, and Brown figures to be a factor in the passing game again as the season goes on.
Last week, though, he was asked to contribute as a blocker, and did so on some of the biggest plays of the game.
“Catching the ball, blocking, I think I can do both,” Brown said. “Last week particularly was more of a blocking scheme for me; hopefully this week I can get my hands on a couple passes.”
Highlights: Mark Helfrich wanted his guys plugged in right off the bat, and threw a “clutch” drill at them to start practice. The defense held serve with both the ones and twos on the field, in both cases forcing the offense to settle for field-goal attempts of 50-plus yards. (Neither was converted). DeForest Buckner had a sack to help stall the No. 1 offense, and the No. 2 group couldn’t score despite moving the ball with a couple Jeff Lockie completions to Charles Nelson and Darren Carrington. …
Nelson caught touchdowns from Lockie and Morgan Mahalak in one-on-ones near the goal line, the first one a really nice leaping grab in which he had to get a foot down. The defense scored wins during the drill on a couple Arrion Springs pass breakups, and others by Reggie Daniels and Tyree Robinson. … Erick Dargan had a couple interceptions over the course of the day. … Austin Maloata had several entertaining reps in pass-rush drills. He was able to get Doug Brenner off-balance in a battle of two powerful young men, and then put a scout-team guy on his back. Hroniss Grasu restored order for the offense the next time around, locking up Maloata in a stalemate.
Other observations: Defense got a reminder of Mariota’s speed in one team situation. Members of the front bit on a run fake, to the point one said out loud “oh, shoot” as Mariota was heading the other way and up the sideline for a long gain. … Nelson got a dose of his own medicine today, after thumping a Michigan State punt returner last Saturday just after the ball arrived. Johnny Ragin III turned the tables on Nelson today when Nelson was receiving a punt (though the hit was “thud” rather than full-contact). …
Sam Kamp is coachable – before one snap inside the 20-yard line, a coach yelled out, “Red zone, defense, gotta push ‘em back,” and Kamp obliged with a tackle for loss. … B.J. Kelley continues to impress with the scout team. He hauled in a touchdown pass from Ty Griffin during team drills, and was the first guy to the returner twice with the scout punt coverage team. … A couple linemen are doing some cross-training this week. Today was the first time I’ve seen Braden Eggert get snaps at guard, while Jamal Prater is playing some tackle for the first time this season.
