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Dan Lanning breaks down second spring scrimmage for Oregon Football
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- Dan Lanning breaks down second spring scrimmage for Oregon Football
The Oregon Ducks took the field inside Autzen Stadium for the second spring scrimmage on Saturday as they ramp up preparation for the annual Spring Game a week from now.
Looking to build off of the success of last week's scrimmage, the Ducks went back into game-like scenarios and gave players a chance to show out and display their improvement so far this season. A week ago, Oregon got its first taste of scrimmage action, and they kept the ball rolling once again on Saturday.
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With just about a week left in the spring season, Lanning went into the scrimmage emphasizing improvement, effort, and an understanding of the scheme.
After the scrimmage, Lanning met with media members to break down what he saw, and where wants to see continued improvement going into next week. He also broke down how the linebacker and safety positions in particular are moving along.
Here are some of the top quotes from his press conference.
Opening Statement
Dan Lanning: We've got some ball players walking around here today, so spend some time with him. But really good day scrimmage-wise, some really good competitive periods all around. Definitely fun for our group. I'm definitely seeing improvement across the board in all phases.
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Offensive line progress
Question: How has the offensive line been gelling this spring?
DL: Yeah, some good, some bad, right? Kind of the same answer you probably always get from me, right? But there's we had some explosive runs today, had some errors in protection, had some positives. So that's the that's the piece about practice man, it's about developing and continue to grow.
Defensive performance in scrimmage
Oregon defensive back Peyton Woodyard works out during practice with the Ducks Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 at the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex in Eugene, Ore.
Q: Who had some defensive plays or takeaways that stood out?
DL: I mean, there's two interceptions today. I mean, several of our backs had positive runs. I can't name every single one of them right now, but there was good ebb and flow throughout throughout practice, you know, and finishing off a competitive two minute series there at the end as well. So overall, good, good day.
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Quarterback progress from one scrimmage to another
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
Q: How have the quarterbacks progressed from the first scrimmage to this one?
DL: Yeah, I'm just seeing growth, right? I'm seeing guys, you know, take steps and move in the right direction. I've seen our coaches even say, Okay, there's something we gotta challenge ourselves to give a little bit more to these guys, because they're handling it well, they're able to process it well
Kingston Lopa
McQueen running back Samuel Duran (24) runs away from Grant safety Kingston Lopa (2) Friday night, August 18, 2023 at Reno High School in Reno, Nevada.
Q: You put Kingston Lopa in the Big Ten Championship Game. What about him made you confident to put him in a game like that as a true freshman?
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DL: It's just what he does every day in practice. You know, the part that we get to see, and Kingston to be an unbelievable player for us. You know, he's had a really good spring so far. But you know, he earned those moments by what he did in practice. And you come here as a talented guy, if you're good enough, you're old enough, we say that all the time. So as a freshman, we had confidence in him going in there to do his job.
Installing a defense with a younger group
Oct 8, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Jahlil Florence (6) celebrates an interception during the second half against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Q: What's it like to install a defense with a younger group compared to a more experienced group you had in the past?
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DL: Yeah, you know to be real. We have most of our stuff in at this point, and they're handling that well. When they prove that they can't handle it, that's when you really back it up. And we were probably a little bit slower with our process as far as install, but at this point we have almost everything in.
Spending time with professionals
Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan (77) celebrates their overtime win at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021 in Indianapolis, Ind. Titans Colts 167
Q: You had Taylor Lewan and Will Compton in. What did the players take away from those visits?
DL: Yeah, it was great. You know, those guys are two guys that have done at the highest level, play the highest level, and they're doing an unbelievable job, kind of in what they're in now, right? But they're fun guys to be around. I think our players like to lean on the experience that those guys have, and they bring flavor and juice, you know, when they step out on the field or in the weight room, which is fun for our players to be around.
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Jerry Mixon progress
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Steve Stephens IV (7) celebrates with linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) after catching an interception against the Liberty Flames during the second quarter of the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Q: What has Jerry Mixon's progress been like this spring?
DL: Yeah. I mean, he's become more and more comfortable out there on the field for us. He's a guy that's around the ball consistently. He's always been a guy that, you know, creates turnover worthy plays, and he's communicating really well. So he's had a really good spring so far.
Draft outlook
The pick is in for Terrion Arnold, cornerback from Alabama, for the Detroit Lions in the main theater on Thursday, April 25, 2024 for the first round of the NFL draft in Detroit.
Q: Talk about some of the guys being projected to be drafted and the fact that Josh Conerly and Jordan Burch were the first guys you signed at Oregon being probable first round picks and Terrance Ferguson the first tight end to be drafted in 11 years.
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DL: Yeah, I think a lot of those guys have established what, you know, what it means to be at Oregon. And you know now to get them, you know, see them get the opportunity to carry on their dreams is really exciting. You know, Josh was a guy that was in that first signing class with us, and put himself in an unbelievable position because of the way he worked every day. Terrance and Jordan, those guys all have the same traits when they step on the field they worked right when they were in the practice, watching film, they worked, right, and now they're getting to reap those benefits. I'm really excited for those guys.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Football: Dan Lanning breaks down second spring scrimmage
