The Ducks lined up for an Oklahoma-like drill while they practiced in front of season ticket holders at Autzen Stadium. Right before the drill began, the team paused and began yelling in excitement and surrounded junior linebacker Kaulana Apelu.
He was awarded a scholarship.
A video of his mother congratulating him played over the jumbutron as his team continued to congratulate him. Then it was right back to the drill.
The Ducks originally planned for a scrimmage but it was moved to Thursday.
“You know football; you have a little sudden change and you never know,” head coach Willie Taggart said. “[We] make sure our guys are never to comfortable.”
The Ducks have traditionally equipped a potent rushing offensive, and it was good last year, but not up to standard. Meanwhile, at South Florida, Taggart had a top five rushing offense.
“If you look at a lot of teams that win championships they do a good job of running the football,” Taggart said.
With the Southern Utah game fast approaching—only two weeks away—Oregon will slowly start to enter game prep mode this week.
“Come Sunday, Taggart said. “We’ll be full bore for the Southern Utah game.”
It will be the first game for the players, but also the new coaching staff as well. They hope it will be clicking for them as well by gameday, so these scrimmages are for more than just the players.
“We’ve had work,” Taggart said. “We’ll have more work throughout this week from a communication standpoint from the coaches. Come game day, those things got to work with all the distractions. That’s when you really figure it out.”
During the section of practice open to media, the Ducks worked on punt coverage.
Jaylon Redd, Darrian McNeal, Casey Eugenio and Dillon Mitchell were all returning today.

Herbert and Burmeister with the footwork drill as season ticket holders watch. pic.twitter.com/QMbB5HHAOL
— Jack Butler (@Butler917) August 21, 2017

Leavitt and the defense getting their hands ready. pic.twitter.com/wLIjV4jgsX
— Shawn Medow (@ShawnMedow) August 21, 2017

Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917