UO Football Practice Report: Jan. 6
by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Shells
The physical intensity ramped up for the Ducks as they donned shoulder pads for practice Tuesday. But the team's mental edge is what stood out to offensive coordinator Scott Frost in Oregon's second practice for Monday's College Football Playoff National Championship against Ohio State.
Though the pads were popping and team periods were held faster than a walk-through pace, Frost was most impressed with the Ducks' mental focus. "I thought today was great," Frost said. "Our kids are really smart.
"Whenever we put new things in — I remember in years past it would take us 'til about Wednesday to have things look like we want them to look — and it happens a lot quicker with this group. These guys adjust to our new game plans really fast. Today was really the first full-speed day doing the stuff, and it looked pretty good."
Tuesday was the first of a handful of physical days this week for the Ducks. With the game being held Monday, the Ducks will hold their usual Thursday walk-through on Saturday, and their "Fast Friday" practice on Sunday. It sounds like practice the rest of this week in Eugene will be more like typical midweek workouts.
A ramped-up tempo is obviously nothing new to the Ducks — but it won't be new to the Buckeyes, either. "I thought we had a really big advantage with our tempo in the last game," Frost said. "I thought we were in a lot better shape than the team we played in the Rose Bowl. I don't know if we'll have quite that advantage against these guys; they see tempo all the time. They look like they're in condition. So we're not expecting to have the same advantage in this one."
Highlights: Redshirting freshman Jalen Brown had a couple of "wow" moments in position drills. He got past a defensive back deep and, despite having his left arm being held, reached out with his right to make a one-handed "touchdown" catch. On his next rep, Brown caught a ball over the middle and held on despite going to the ground on a big hit by Reggie Daniels. … Ty Griffin showed off his arm strength during the same period, letting fly a deep ball that Darren Carrington hauled in. … Bralon Addison used a couple shifty moves to attract coverage over the top and free up Kani Benoit to make a reception underneath. …
In team drills, Chayce Maday did everything right but still gave up a long pass from Marcus Mariota to Lowe. Mariota put the ball into an incredibly tight window, and Lowe used great concentration to make the catch despite having Maday between himself and the ball. … Tyree Robinson had an interception when Griffin escaped the pocket and tried to make something out of nothing. … Griffin had no such luck getting out of the pocket a few reps later. Arik Armstead and Tony Washington closed from each side to contain Griffin, then Joe Walker and DeForest Buckner burst up the middle to finish off the play.
Other observations: Maday and Casey Eugenio are receivers in position drills but this week are playing defensive back on the scout team. Both guys have done so from time to time over the course of the season, depending on where depth is most needed. … Both Griffin and Morgan Mahalak are running the scout offense this week. Mahalak ran it solo prior to the Rose Bowl, a trip Griffin was ineligible to make under NCAA transfer rules. … Mark Helfrich's message to the team post-practice was on the theme of "focus and finish." He told players: "Focus means preparation. Finish is competing your butt off. And we'll look up at the end and see where we are."
