When Oregon’s offense is on the field, the Ducks’ sideline normally functions as a well-orchestrated unit, with a myriad of coaches and players making hand signals or holding up signs with plain random imagery.
But there was an addition to the sideline that stood out last Thursday during Oregon’s 61-55 win over Arizona State: large white sheets utilized as a way to protect a signal caller from being seen.

Oregon hiding playcalls behind white sheets, so ASU won’t steal signals (via @NickPKrueger) https://t.co/RyIVQKWlnB pic.twitter.com/fw9jdtVw66
— Pacific Takes (@PacificTakes) October 30, 2015

Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost said Monday that this was due to intel the team received in the week leading up to the matchup in regards to Arizona State stealing its opponents’ signals. It is intel that has also been publicized before this season. After Arizona State’s matchup with Utah, Utes players and coaches told The Salt Lake Tribune that the Sun Devils were stealing their offensive signals.
“I’ve never heard of a team going to the lengths they go to to try to get the signals,” Frost said. “But hopefully we combatted it well.”
I think we tried to create a little confusion with them with our signals as to who was signaling, tried to hide the signals.”
As for whether the white sheets will be present in the weeks to come, Frost said it is to be determined.
“I don’t think every team is like the team we just played,” Frost added. 
It was a small side note in what occurred during the back-and-forth shootout between the Ducks and Sun Devils — a game Frost said was “wild” and quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. described as “fun.”
The offense appeared to take an even bigger step in the right direction. The Ducks rushed for 186 yards and Adams added over 300 yards of passing offense.
“I think we were really starting to feel this rhythm and starting to get where we need to be offensively,” Adams said. “We’re excited to keep it going and get back to playing fast this week.” 
This week, the Ducks face a Cal team (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12) that Frost said “has made a world of improvement” this year. After a 5-0 start, the Bears have struggled as of late, though, and are losers of their last three contests.
Regardless, the passing attack is averaging 337 yards per game and Jared Goff is viewed as one of the top quarterbacks not just in the conference, but the nation. It poses a challenge for an Oregon defense that has struggled mightily this season.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise