Ducks Showcase Talent in Competitive Spring Game
By Ken Woody
Intersquad football games at the conclusion of spring practice are often disappointing. There is a hesitancy on the part of coaches to put “put everything together” on the field, limiting contact on quarterbacks and kicking plays in an effort to limit injuries. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning said before the game he wanted to see aggressive plays, showing what his players could do, knowing there would be plenty of mistakes, necessary to learning what it takes to defend their Big Ten Conference championship. In the end, the coach summarized: “We’re not trying to win the scrimmage; we’re out there trying to see our guys play football.”
One of the largest spring game crowds in the country happens every year at Autzen—there were 45,000 fans on hand to see some pretty good football that portent good things to come in the fall. Lanning observed, “Our crowd was absolutely unbelievable, they always show up…there were a lot of positives, but certainly some stuff for us to improve.”
Lanning is stubborn in setting the game, he makes sure it’s as evenly matched as possible to assure a competitive contest. Last year the spring game had five lead changes and this year’s had several, as the white jersey-clad “Fighting Ducks” came from behind with a minute left in the game to go ahead 24-20 on a 56-yard completion to freshman phenom Dillon Gresham from Luke Moga, after the black jersey-clad “Combat Ducks” came from behind to take the lead with two minutes left on the clock.
A problem for the quarterbacks is the number-one, most experienced offensive line is split up so pass protection can be shaky: there were eleven sacks. Two years ago, fans may have picked Ty Thompson over Bo Nix based on the spring game that had nine sacks, a surprise as the Ducks had only five or six during the whole season before. Dillon Gabriel was not a particular standout in his spring debut either, and based on Saturday’s game, some might feel that Austin Novasad has a chance to take the starting spot from Dante Moore, a more touted quarterback who was plagued by sacks but impressed with four 45 yard-plus throws that were right on the money with only one completed.
Many observers agree that Moore had a leg up on the starting position based on spring drills, but it would not have been apparent on this day. Throughout spring practice, Moore has drawn praise for a strong, accurate arm, pocket presence and leadership. Novasad is a fierce competitor and the competition may not be over—there are still summer workouts, three weeks of practice in August before the opener against Montana State and all the psychological and physical learning the quarterbacks soak up over the summer.
Overall, the Ducks looked well coached and the big guys, especially on the offensive line, are huge, and better, athletic and fit; not a lot of baby fat on the young ones. The offensive line has A’lique Terry, a great coach to meld this year’s group that lost two starters drafted by the NFL to come together quickly– there is a lack of game experience. Oregon has a front line that will average over 300 pounds in the fall and there is a slew of running backs led by veteran Noah Whittington who is a dynamic and reliable threat in the red zone. Publicized Tulane transfer Makli Hughes is a natural for the Duck offense and he is joined by several talented backs that will provide depth and competition to the position including Jay Harris who had two touchdowns rushing for the black jersey team.
The defensive line looks athletic and fit, but until there’s some serious game action, fans will have to guess who’s who in the middle. The edge position has several outstanding prospects: Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti while the linebacking position got stronger when Bryce Boettcher decided to come back for another year after the Rose Bowl Disaster. Blake Purchase and Devon Jackson are experienced defenders who show up around the ball, but defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi needs some youngsters to grow up fast to provide depth. Purchase showed his speed and a great stiff arm to the chin of Dante Moore who was chasing him on a 57-yard “scoop and score” fumble recovery for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Right now, the lack of depth in the middle of the defense has to be a concern, but Lanning had to be pleased by two long field goals kicked by Gage Hurych (47, 54 yards), a redshirt freshman from West Linn. Last year’s primary kicker, Atticus Sappington, missed a 56-yarder wide right, but with plenty of distance.
Last season, Oregon’s defense was the best tackling group I’ve seen in decades: Ducks swarmed to the ball carriers and everyone wanted to get in on the fun, until the Rose Bowl, which was the sorriest performance in memory. There were rumors that Lanning’s team had suffered from a flu bug prior to the game, but true or not, the Duck defense and offense looked uninspired and ill-prepared in the biggest game in program history. If Oregon is going to seriously compete for a national championship the Ducks have to play better defense; offenses score points and sell tickets, but defense wins championships.
Lanning’s staff has done a fantastic job of recruiting fast, athletic players from high school and transfer levels and this will show in this year’s secondary; the biggest improvement will be at safety. Dillon Thieneman, All-Big Ten at Purdue last year, transferred and is a hard hitting, instinctive safety, who knows where the ball is going and can get deep fast enough to help his corners out on long passes down the sideline. There is an obvious increase in talent in the defensive backs who have joined the Ducks in the last two years.
Lanning’s staff commitment to relentless recruiting showed this weekend as the Ducks had a program record ten players drafted by the NFL. The biggest improvement was in the “big-guy” category: two offensive linemen and a tight end, three defensive linemen and a linebacker, all of whom have helped push Oregon into the “physical” category. In addition, three offensive skill players were selected. If you take a championship team, like Georgia for example, you will find that they have always had several defensive players selected in the top rounds of the draft. Before Lanning, that was not Oregon’s forte. Winning a national championship at Georgia, as an assistant under Kirby Smart, he was a big part of that, and now he is establishing his legacy at Oregon. Defense wins championships and the Ducks are headed in that direction.
A look at Oregon’s schedule shows a relatively stress-free five game start and then serious business down the stretch that will challenge last year’s 12-0 unbeaten regular season streak. The opener is Montana State in Eugene and fans will probably get an early look at Dante Moore, the heir apparent to last year’s dynamic quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
The following week Oklahoma State shows up out of the shadows of the Big-12 Conference and it would be a serious mistake to overlook the Okies who have been a tough, dangerous team; but after winning the Big 12 championship in 2023, won their first three games last season and caved in and lost nine straight to finish a terrible season that cost the offensive and defensive coordinators their jobs.
Lanning will get an idea of what kind of team he has after the Oklahoma State game, and then can polish his young players in the next two games against Northwestern, on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago and back home against Oregon State before heading back to a “white-out” game against a revenge-minded Penn State team that lost the league title to the Ducks last year. It will be one the of the biggest games and toughest tests, as Oregon will likely be underdogs.
After a bye, Oregon’s next three games are against good, but not great teams– dangerous to take for granted: Indiana, a growing power in the Big Ten, a long road trip to Rutgers and then in Eugene, the tough Wisconsin Badgers. These teams rate lower in pre-season analysis, but like Oklahoma State, it would be a serious mistake to overlook anybody, because a tough, defensive oriented Iowa team will then welcome the Ducks to a chilly reception in Iowa City.
This game features a between-quarters celebration that has earned national acclaim by fans for a moving demonstration where over 70,000 fans stand and wave to sick and recovering youngsters who are battling cancer in the Hospital that overlooks the stadium next door. It moves observers to tears and Iowa fans do this every home game, just like Duck fans do with “Shout” between the third and fourth quarters at Autzen. Both demonstrations reveal the stirring difference between college and pro football and the hope is that these won’t go away and disappear with the current slide of college football.
After another bye, the final slate highlights two important home games against tricky Minnesota and the USC Trojans, desperate to shake mediocrity; and the finale is the traditional rival Washington Huskies. The Ducks pummeled the Dawgs 49-21 last year, but because the game is in Seattle, a place Lanning has never won, the game will have special significance.
Lanning said his staff will “be going on the road for some recruiting…we’ll do some exit meetings with our players…what are the things we need to attack and improve on? We need to continue to develop and get strong in the weight room…and really attack the classroom as well.” Not many coaches talk about “attacking the classroom,” but Lanning’s choice of words clearly reveals the program’s defining energy: a positive, aggressive attitude towards growing as an individual and as a team sharing common goals.
Coach Lanning has done a remarkable job developing recruiting, good coaching, and Oregon football into a national contender. The schedule does not include perennial champions Ohio State and Michigan so that counts as a break. If he can guide his team, with a host of new players, through a long season schedule against teams that even now have their game with the Ducks circled on the calendar, it could be another magical season.
Stats from the Spring Game below:
Ken Woody coached college football for 18 years as an assistant at Oregon, Washington, Utah State and Washington State and as a head coach at Whitman College and Washington University-St. Louis. During the regular season, he conducts a coaching clinic, free to all, at the 6th Street Grill on the Wednesday after the previous game at 6:00 p.m. Plays from Oregon games are analyzed, there are scouting reports for opponents, and highlights from referees; all to learn and enjoy football and understand why the Ducks win or lose.
