While no player will admit that they are on a perfect team, it’s hard to argue that during Oregon’s current seven-game winning steak, the Ducks have been playing as close to it as possible.
“I think we’re really clicking on all the cylinders — everyone’s coming out all excited, ready to play,” running back and slot reciever Byron Marshall said. “We all want go get after the next team we play, doesn’t matter who it is — we just try to execute and play a perfect game.”
Since the loss to Arizona, Oregon has outscored opponents 333-163, averaging 48 points per game and only allowing a mere 23.
Yes, the results on Saturdays are what have gotten the Ducks to their current rank of second in the College Football Playoff rankings. However, it has become evident from players that the work behind-the-scenes has catapulted them to where the group sits now.
“A bunch of the leaders have done a good job of showing us the the proper way to practice,” defensive lineman DeForest Buckner said. “Every day of every week, we just want to get better in practice and we’ve done that knowing that’s what it takes to win.”
When the Ducks were walking out of Autzen Stadium following their 31-24 loss to Arizona on Oct. 2, head coach Mark Helfrich wasn’t surprised by the outcome.
Not only did he know that the Wildcats were a formidable opponent, Helfrich knew that his team was not physically and mentally prepared to earn a victory over the tougher opponents in the Pac-12 conference.
Since that defeat, the Ducks have rededicated themselves to practice and the results attest to that.
“We have to focus on us, focus on having fun and our guys have managed those things the right way,” Helfrich said. “Seeing how they practice every day and how they work together (since that loss) is something truly remarkable.”
With the championship game Friday, the practice week is shifted a day back. But don’t expect it to faze anyone. They’re all still focused on getting better, according to Helfrich.
“I’ve said it all year and I’ll say it again because we believe in it — every week we try and get a little bit healthier and a little bit better,” Helfrich said.
For Helfrich, it’s been the constant verbiage that he has voiced ever since he became Oregon’s head coach. It has worked too. The Ducks are now just one win away from a Pac-12 title and a likely spot in the first ever College Football Playoff.
And it all ties back to the way his team practices.
Follow Ryan Kostecka on Twitter @Ryan_Kostecka