The wait is finally over.
After stewing over last season’s 47-41 triple overtime loss for the previous eight months, the Ducks can now officially put that game behind as they have begun preparations for the upcoming season by beginning camp on Monday.
While most of the talk surrounding the next month of fall camp will be about the quarterback situation — redshirt freshman Travis Jonsen or senior transfer Dakota Prukop — head coach Mark Helfrich and star running back Royce Freeman were quick to point out how last season’s bitter ending helped light the fire for the upcoming season.
“It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and obviously you try and flush it but it’s going to appear every now and then,” Freeman said. “It was on ESPN’s top-25 games from last season. It’s rough but it’s something you’ve got to build and we’ve got to make it a point that it won’t happen again.”
While Helfrich and Freeman each conducted personal podium time in front of all media members, the rest of the requested players were idly sitting by, awaiting their turn to talk. Once the media descended on the rest of the players, the energy that Helfrich and Freeman both spoke was abundantly clear.
Not only was the energy high — as heard by Doug Brenner’s booming laugh often drowning out interviews near him — the most contentious moment came when Ugo Amadi and Arrion Springs got into a playfully heated discussion as to who was the best video game player on the team (each player said himself was the best and it wasn’t close).
One of the best scenes was the hoard of media members staying till the very end when Pharaoh Brown became available to talk. After nearly having his leg amputated two years ago from a catastrophic injury, Brown was seen smiling and laughing with media members as he’s full-go for his final year as a Duck.
Other Notes
— Helfrich opened up his press conference by first expressing his condolences to the University of Arizona after one its players passed away Monday morning.
— Paris Bostick is no longer with the Oregon program and is pursuing “other interests”, according to Helfrich.
— Another hot topic was the noted absence of receiver Devon Allen as he is in Rio de Janeiro competing for the United States in the Summer Olympics. Helfrich was planning on hosting a team meeting whenever Allen was to race but he decided to change his mind and call it a “watch party” in support of Allen.
— Freeman was recently named the No. 7 best player in college football by ESPN and when asked about it, he instead focused on the bitter ending to last season and how that’s his driving force to become better.
— One of the biggest changes for Oregon this season is the hiring of new defensive coordinator Brady Hoke. Apart from changing Oregon’s defensive scheme, Amadi said that the biggest difference between Hoke and last season’s defensive coordinator Don Pellum is Hoke’s strictness. While jokes might have been said last year with Pellum, Amadi said it’s a “yes sir, no sir” type of relationship with Hoke and that’s what the defense needs.
— Helfrich singled out Freeman, Charles Nelson, Johnny Ragin, Tyree Robinson, Henry Mondeaux and Cameron Hunt as the players who’ve really emerged as leaders for the team.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka
Oregon opens 2016 season with Media Day
Ryan Kostecka
August 8, 2016
Kaylee Domzalski
The wait is finally over. After stewing over last season’s 47-41 triple overtime loss for the previous eight months, the Ducks can now officially put that game behind as they have begun preparations for the upcoming season by beginning camp on Monday. While most of the talk surrounding the next …
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