After spending nearly three weeks looking confused, flustered and out-of-sync, the Oregon offense finally looked like a well-oiled machine during Friday’s scrimmage while it adapts to first-year offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s new system.
The offense scored four touchdowns and a field goal, with many of the drives highlighted by long gains for touchdowns in the final scrimmage before the annual spring game next Saturday at Autzen Stadium.
“We were tired of getting our butts kicked,” said senior running back Andiel Brown, who led all rushers with 45 yards on five carries. “I actually made a prediction to (running backs) coach (Gary) Campbell before we started and said, ‘I think it’s going to be big day for the offense.’ And it was.”
Brown said it was the same situation when former offensive coordinator Gary Crowton first came to Oregon. The offense struggled for the first two scrimmages before operating with a greater deal of success in the third.
“The first two scrimmages were bad because we didn’t know the offense,” Brown said. “Once we get comfortable we have the talent in this offense to do whatever.”
Four different Oregon quarterbacks led drives resulting in touchdowns. Senior quarterback Dennis Dixon received the first snaps of the day and took the first team 75 yards down the field, connecting with junior wide receiver Jaison Williams for a five-yard touchdown.
Junior running back Jonathan Stewart ran four times for 28 yards during the drive, marking his only appearance during the scrimmage.
In the next offensive series, senior quarterback Brady Leaf led the second-team offense 74 yards down the field but the Oregon defense held them out of the end zone, stuffing redshirt freshman running back Remene Alston twice on the one-yard line.
Sophomore quarterback Nathan Costa completed two of four passes for 34 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown to sophomore wide receiver Rory Cavaille, while redshirt freshman quarterback Cody Kempt completed all six of his passes for 44 yards.
In all, five different Oregon quarterbacks combined to go 18-for-28 for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
“I was pleased early that the offense seemed to be in stride a little bit,” Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. “I don’t think our defense showed up to play in the first couple of series. The offense was running the timing and the tempo. The offense was much, much better.”
As for the wide receivers, senior Cameron Colvin led the team with three catches for 42 yards and ran the ball twice for 22 yards on option plays. Fellow senior wide receiver Brian Paysinger scored on such a play, receiving the pitch from Leaf and ran 41 yards down the field for the touchdown.
Bellotti said that because there are so many talented veterans on the offense, they’re bound to play well at some point, but the difference in this scrimmage was the improved play of the offensive line.
Still, Bellotti was glad to see the defense try and take charge.
“I was pleased that the defense fought back. In later stages of this scrimmage, they dominated,” Bellotti said.
And for the second week, the offense didn’t turn the ball over, something its been working on for most of the spring.
“Even though the defense is trying to rip and strip, they’ve got to feel some pride in the offense that they can hold on to the football,” Bellotti said.
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