After a 53-28 victory over the UC Davis Aggies on Saturday, the No. 24-ranked Oregon Ducks used Monday’s post-practice media to answer questions about their season-opening performance.
Of the many storylines to emerge from game one, the performance of freshman linebacker Troy Dye stands out.
His 11 total tackles and nation-leading 4.5 tackles for loss earned Dye Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors, but Dye still sees room for improvement.
“I need to get better. There is going to be no point where I am satisfied with my play,” Dye said Monday.
Monday also marked the first day that backup quarterback Justin Herbert spoke to the media. He was the talk of camp after Oregon released the depth chart a week before the season. The Sheldon High School product was listed on the two deep. To make the successful transition from high school to college, Herbert focused on mastering the playbook during fall camp.
“I really focused on the offense and made sure I got that down so I can come in ready,” Herbert said. “It was really tough and it was a lot of work, but I think I’m still waiting for that moment [when it clicks].”
Herbert was surprised when he was named as a captain for the season opener.
“I was not prepared for that,” Herbert said. “That was amazing.”
Quarterbacks coach David Yost said he feels that Oregon’s offensive tempo needs to improve in the coming weeks.
“About half the plays we could have snapped the ball a little quicker, and that kind of falls on the quarterback to get that done.” Yost said.
Yost also said the early offensive struggles were “Oregon beating Oregon.” He cited penalties, missed passes, breakdowns in protection and other things that the unit can control.
On Saturday, the Ducks had to adjust to a new offensive front with four redshirt freshmen and quarterback Dakota Prukop making their Oregon Ducks debuts. Towards the second half of the game they began to work better together, and Prukop is confident in their chemistry.
“I am extremely comfortable with them. Those are the guys I hang out with; those are the guys I eat dinner with,” Prukop told reporters. “I feel completely comfortable in their ability. They’re going to get the job done.”
Senior left tackle Tyrell Crosby has been sidelined with a foot injury, and he did not play on Saturday. He did not practice Monday. Senior guard Cameron Hunt was injured and pulled from Saturday’s game, but head coach Mark Helfrich said after the game that he will be OK.
Fellow senior and tight end Evan Baylis did not play against UC Davis for undisclosed reasons, but was seen in pads walking away from practice with the team.
However, senior tight end Johnny Mundt, who caught a touchdown pass against UC Davis, walked out of Monday’s practice with a limp while wearing a right knee brace.
The Ducks will spend this week preparing for Virginia, which lost to Richmond 37-20.
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917