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Dan Lanning breaks down Oregon Football Week 3 of spring practice
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- Dan Lanning breaks down Oregon Football Week 3 of spring practice
The Oregon Ducks held their first spring scrimmage of the year on Saturday inside Autzen Stadium, giving close friends and family members of the players an opportunity to see the progress made this season, and allowing coaches a good look at who came to compete as we get set for the final two weeks of the spring season.
With more of a game-like setting than the other spring practices held inside Autzen, top players like Dante Moore , Austin Novosad , Dillon Thieneman , Dakorien Moore, and Bear Alexander , among many others, were able to show out and display what they have to offer. After the scrimmage, head coach Dan Lanning met with media members to break things down, but as has been customary, he didn't have much to say before reviewing the tape from the afternoon.
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Fortunately, Tuesday offered another opportunity to talk to Lanning and hear some of his biggest takeaways from the day. He talked about that, and also looked ahead to what he expects in the coming weeks before the annual spring game on April 26.
Here's what Lanning had to say:
Opening Statement
Lanning: All right, good work day. Got some good situational football, some longer series in there, switching through, some coming out, some third down. So it's good day overall.
Quarterback performance from scrimmage
Nov 30, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the second half against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Question: After watching the film from Saturday, how do you think your quarterbacks performed overall and kind of mastering the system?
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DL: Some good, some bad. But overall, I thought we were able to create some more shots than we probably have so far this spring. Get the ball down the field. You know, timing, fundamentals isn't as important for that position as any other position. So some cleanup there, but overall, decent operation. I still think you can be better.
Makhi Hughes' spring
Oct 13, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Tulane Green Wave running back Makhi Hughes (21) runs the ball as Memphis Tigers defensive back Cameron Smith (29) makes the tackle during the second half at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Q: What have you seen from Makhi Hughes in the first half of the spring?
DL: Yeah, physicality, you know, I think he's still learning the system. It's really hard, you know, to pick it, pick it up. He's big back that runs, you know, runs tough and a willingness to work. You know, he's kind of a quiet, quiet warrior out there on the field, but, but certainly pushing to be good.
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Freshmen running backs' progress
Althoff’s Dierre Hill Jr. (10) side steps a Lena-Winslow defender on his way to the end zone for the Crusaders in the Class 1A state championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal on Friday, Nov. 19, 2024.
Q: What have you seen from the two freshman running backs?
DL: Dierre (Hill) got here a little bit later, and he's picking up quick. He has some, you know, some you know, some great runs in the scrimmage. Didn't go down on contact. And once he picks this up, I think he's gonna be a great, great fit. And then Jordon's (Davison) really a physical runner. Did a good job. You know, it's a little bit different when you make a tackle on scrimmage day, guy like that's always falling forward and does a great job pushing the ball down the field.
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Theran Johnson 's progress
Northwestern's Theran Johnson (10) breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Vinny Anthony II (8) during the first quarter of their game Saturday October 19, 2024 at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.
Q: What has stood out about Theran Johnson and what drew you guys to him?
DL: Yeah, saaviness,you know, is just as far as understanding the position, you know, I think he understands like leverage and maintenance, and just you can tell he's played, he's got an intelligent player, right? Picks it up, plays with physicality, has a chip on his shoulder. So all those things are really sticking out for Theran so far.
Da'Jaun Riggs' progress
Nov 30, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Da'Jaun Riggs (21) picks up a first down during the second half against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Q: What have you seen from Da'Jaun Riggs from last year to this season?
DL: You know, again, a great job. It's the difference in knowing the system and not knowing and learning right? And he's a guy that now understands where to hit right on a certain path, understands, you know, where he's going to be at in a route where he's at so like, picking up the system, I think is huge for him, but he's proven to be a guy that's elusive. They can also get vertical fast. You know, plays the game the right way.
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Overall spring improvement
Oregon White Team wide receiver Traeshon Holden waves to the crowd as the team takes the field during the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game Saturday, April 27. 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore.
Q: Where has this team improved from Day 1 this spring?
DL: I mean, again, leadership is one of the biggest pieces that we want to see. Showed up. I'm starting to see that right? Players holding each other accountable at higher level, just the operation, right? Knowing my assignment, knowing my job. I think there's a big difference going into year four than year one. Whenever it's it's really clear what you're trying to create and execute. So all that's that's showing up for so far in the spring.
Appreciating defensive line coach Tony Tuioti
Oregon defensive line coach Tony Tuioti calls to players during a practice with the Ducks Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. Sports Oregon Footballspring Practice
Q: Why doesn't Tony Tuioti get enough credit for developing so many draft picks over the last three seasons?
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DL: I know how much we appreciate Tony, right? We don't spend a lot of time looking at outside noise, but I say this, if you want to play in the NFL and you won't play defensive line, obviously, Tony's done a great job of getting guys there, right? And, you know, I think this year will probably be a new record for Oregon as far as guys drafted, and certainly the D line's been a huge piece of that. And Tony works incredibly hard, you know, I think he gets to wear a different hat here as a coach and a father right on this team. But you see, the way he coaches those guys every day, the way he prepares, the way he works, you know, the way our D line is played here. And I think that's great credit to Coach Tuioti.
Jay Harris
Oct 18, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jay Harris (22) is tackled by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Q: How has Jay Harris been coming along learning the system?
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DL: Yeah, he's come along really well, you know, I mean, got dinged early in the scrimmage this past scrimmage, and he was anxious to get back out there on the field, right? He's just one of those guys that wants to be out there helping his team. I think he's running a better pad level. It's been kind of a point of emphasis for him, and then again, understanding what we're trying to do, learning the plays and when he knows he's a guy that can create, you know, big, big ones.
New return guy?
Browns 2025 NFL Draft target Tez Johnson. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Q: Tez was obviously a big weapon receiver, but also as a return guy, wondering if there's been anybody kind of emerging that has impressed you, or kind of where that status is that?
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DL: Yeah, probably early. I mean, we're working a lot of guys at those positions, both and it's more about like, who could be above the line, who could be below the line, and special teams. I think it's more important than anything that you focus on getting possession of the ball. And Tez has some really dynamic returns, but just as important as him to catch the ball when somebody's in his face, that's hard to recreate. So try and take opportunities to recreate that in practice. I think we have several guys that could be in position to do that. We'll keep working as we go through spring ball and fall camp.
Roster changes and limits
Q: How do you go about setting your roster with the new changes and limits?
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DL: You gotta be ready to adapt. That's one thing we've learned about college football, right? It's gonna continue to change. You gotta be the team that's ready to adapt when that happens. And I like our roster, I like who we have on our team right now. So you know, hopefully, every one of those players that have worked really hard, get the opportunity to be a part of the of the roster and fall camp, but you know we don't completely control all that so we'll see how it plays out.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon football: Dan Lanning recaps first spring scrimmage of 2025
