Football Practice Report: Oct. 16
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Autzen Stadium
Format: Fast Friday
For a guy who hasn’t played on that side of the ball since middle school, Malik Lovette is getting the hang of this defense business.
Lovette, the redshirting freshman who played receiver in preseason camp, had one of the biggest highlights of Oregon’s developmental squad scrimmage period Friday, and for the second week in a row. Now a cornerback, Lovette was back in coverage, saw Morgan Mahalak spot Alex Ofodile running down the seam and broke on the ball to come up with his second interception in two weeks.
When preseason camp was winding to a close, Lovette was one of the last guys on the bubble for possible playing time this season, at receiver. He’s remained a member of the travel squad since, first at wideout and for the last few weeks in the secondary.
“Each week I just try to go in, observe as much as I can, pay attention in meetings and learn as much as I can from coach Pellum, coach Chinander and coach Neal,” Lovette said. “It’s really just taking in as much as I can.”
Lovette has been methodically progressing at cornerback, essentially watching drills one week, then doing positional work the next, then joining team situations before practicing at times with the No. 2 defense this week.
His background on offense has possibly aided the transition, Lovette said.
“In a way I kind of had an advantage,” he said. “Based on alignment and things I’d do as a receiver, I just switch sides of the ball and play it vice versa.”
Practicing with the travel squad has certainly helped as well. Lovette spends all week practicing Oregon’s schemes, which are used in the 10-minute developmental squad scrimmage each Friday; the other participants spent this week mimicking Washington’s packages.
Lovette also has been able to watch more experienced players like Tyree Robinson and Arrion Springs, and pick their brains.
“Being out there, I just observe as much as I can, especially from the older guys,” Lovette said. “I just try to take in as much as I can for next year.”
Other scout-team scrimmage highlights: Mahalak responded to the interception by directing a three-play, 30-yard drive that featured three completions, the last a touchdown pass to Jeff Bieber. … Mahalak and Bieber connected again on the last play of the scrimmage, with Lovette making the tackle to end the period. … Jarret LaCoste ran three times to get the offense into the end zone on its first possession. … The last carry ended in a collision with Fotu Leiato at the goal line; perhaps at full speed, Leiato keeps LaCoste from scoring. Later, with the offense at the goal line, Leiato stacked up a runner short of the end zone on fourth down. … Spencer Stark had a sack on the penultimate play of the period, and another defensive lineman tipped a pass; I wasn’t sure if it was Jordan Kurahara or Gary Baker.
