Football Practice Report: Oct. 26
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Full pads
Oregon’s scout-team defense has been able to pin its ears back and try to get after the quarterback the last two days, preparing the UO offense for what it will see Thursday night at Arizona State.
“Blitz-heavy,” UO offensive coordinator Scott Frost said of the Sun Devils, “is an understatement. … What they try to do is create chaos.”
Center Matt Hegarty said film study has shown that Arizona State may blitz 60 percent of the time or more. When they do bring more than their base pass rush, Frost said, it’s often not just one extra player but two.
After Sunday’s practice, UO coach Mark Helfrich joked that it might feel to the offensive line like the Sun Devils are bringing seven players through the same gap.
“Prepare to get hit in the face; prepare to hit in the face,” Helfrich told the team. “That’s how it’s gonna be.”
As the linchpin of Oregon’s offensive line, Hegarty will play a big role in helping the Ducks deal with ASU’s pressure. The fifth-year transfer from Notre Dame has helped the Ducks rush for 297.4 yards per game, sixth nationally, while allowing 2.71 sacks per game – tied for No. 101 nationally.
Arizona State comes into Thursday’s game (7:30 p.m., ESPN) averaging 3.43 sacks per game, tied for third in the country. The Ducks believe being disciplined in their assignments is the best antidote for that pressure.
“The big thing we’ve focused on this week is really understanding the targets we need to have,” Hegarty said. “You watch film, you see guys blowing right past them, and they fly in and make a TFL (tackle for loss). I think the best way to eliminate that is handling stuff on our end. Having smart footwork, and a little premeditation to what’s coming.”
Frost said the Sun Devils have been somewhat “boom or bust,” allowing some big plays when they don’t get to the quarterback. In Oregon’s most recent game, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed six passes for 24 yards or longer in third-down situations, when more pressure would be anticipated – so perhaps he can help the Ducks counter ASU’s pressure, as well.
But the offensive line wants to keep Adams from having to create too much outside the pocket, though that could be easier said than done against Arizona State.
“It’s not really crazy, what they do,” Hegarty said. “But they do it well, and they do it a lot. And that’s how they get people over the course of a game. Those TFLs add up, and that starts to be a problem.”
At Washington, Hegarty’s group was in flux, with Evan Voeller at left guard in place of Matt Pierson, and Doug Brenner at right guard after Cameron Hunt shifted out to spell Tyrell Crosby at right tackle.
“It’s been nice we’ve had guys who can step in,” Hegarty said. “Obviously you want to get a little bit of flow, which we’ve gotten the last few days in practice. But it’s a tight group, so anybody who’s in there is ready to rock.”
Highlights: Oregon’s secondary had a really encouraging start today, a clutch scenario in which the offense needed a touchdown. Adams moved the chains by stepping up in the pocket under pressure and finding Dwayne Stanford, but a Tyson Coleman sack and two straight incompletions ended the drive. The twos didn’t have any more luck; Malik Lovette broke up a pass in the end zone on the penultimate play, and Tyree Robinson intercepted Jeff Lockie’s final Hail Mary attempt. … Robinson also had an interception against the scout team on the first rep of a 7-on-7 period. …
Stanford is usually king of the weekly 1-on-1 period in the red zone, but Arrion Springs broke up consecutive passes to him in the end zone today. Charles Nelson showed nice “finish” when Kirk Merritt seemed to have a TD catch secured, before Nelson reached in and knocked the ball loose. Merritt evened the score with a nice catch over his shoulder later in the period. Chris Tewhill had a similar back-corner reception, and both Alex Ofodile and Jalen Brown had leaping grabs in the same spot. … The defense started really well in its weekly period backed up to the goal line, going at least eight reps before allowing a touchdown. Joe Walker sniffed out a screen on the first play, and on the second Nelson plucked the ball out of the air when a running back mishandled a pitch. …
The scout-team eventually got going a little bit, with Morgan Mahalak connecting on a TD pass with Taylor Stinson and also running for a score. Mahalak also made a nice decision at one point, cocking back to throw but pulling it down when Jalen Jelks reached to fill the passing lane; Mahalak turned and threw instead toward Casey Eugenio, who dove in for a score. … In pass rush drills, center Jake Hanson and nose tackle Rex Manu had a couple spirited battles, with Hanson managing to hold some ground both times.
Other observations: Calvin Throckmorton, like Hanson a true freshman, got some reps with the travel squad today. The offensive line had been down a man after the medical retirement of Braden Eggert. … Another true freshman, Drayton Carlberg, has been lauded since he arrived for his motor. Two months into the season, he’s still practicing hard every rep. … After practice, the equipment staff was loading up the semi trailer for its drive to Arizona.
