Jeff Lockie took on a bit of the spotlight in last year’s spring game. He was involved in the battle to be Marcus Mariota’s backup with Jake Rodrigues throughout the 2014 spring practices and the final run through expected to be a chance for either to win the position. It didn’t go that way. Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich said, “meh,” when asked to describe the play of both Rodrigues and Lockie.
Lockie finished that game completing seven of his 12 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. He became the permanent backup quarterback in 2014 after Rodrigues departed from the program.
Now, Lockie heads into this year’s spring game engaged in a much more meaningful competition: the battle for starting quarterback. He took the time after Monday’s practice to speak with the media about the last week of spring ball and his mindset leading up to the game itself.
How was today, last week of spring ball?
Today went all right. Numbers were a little low so we were sloppy in some parts, but that’s kind of how it goes.
How do you think the spring game is going to unfold?
Good. Coaches are going to figure out teams pretty soon and we’ll split up and we’ll play. I think we should be pretty good numbers and health wise Saturday.
Does anything change when you have a lot riding on this game?
Not too much. I’ve been in spring before competing with other guys. This time the stakes are a little higher and there’s a little more quarterbacks competing so it keeps things pretty similar.
Is that more of a mental preparation, knowing that you’ve been there before?
Absolutely, it helps. Being here since my freshman year, competing since I stepped on campus with other guys. It helps you get the mindset of how to go into practice. Not comparing yourself to others, but it helps me worry about myself more.
For the spring game, what is the number one thing you want to show coaches?
I think we just want to score every time we have the ball. We don’t want to punt, we don’t want to sell out. We want to take care of the ball number one and score touchdowns.
Follow Justin Wise on Twitter @JustinFWise
Practice wrap up: Jeff Lockie discusses final week of practice, anticipation of spring game
April 26, 2015
Taylor Wilder
Heading into fall camp, most of the conversation surrounding Oregon football will be about the competition between the late arrival of Vernon Adams Jr. and seasoned backup Jeff Lockie. For the field general that earns the job, a rare opportunity will await him — one that doesn’t come around very …
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