With teams set for the Spring Game on Saturday, the offense is looking to regain some face after being outplayed in recent weeks by the defense. Head coach Chip Kelly even joked after the second scrimmage on April 24 that he hadn’t seen that many three-and-outs in 10 years.
“We’re just looking for points, man,” sophomore Chris Harper said after Wednesday’s practice about his hopes for Saturday’s game at Autzen Stadium.
And Harper might just be the guy the Ducks need to spark an offensive surge. Last season he threw and caught a touchdown as he made the transition to wide receiver by the end of the year, and this spring he has mostly played wide receiver. He confirmed that he will line up on Saturdays in the slot position.
However, on Wednesday, Harper caught a pass for 10 yards, went in motion and took a hand off on another, and on a third play took a direct snap. Needless to say, his talents extend beyond that of a usual wide receiver.
“Harp has talent to be a special player,” wide receivers coach Scott Frost said. “He’s very versatile. You can line him right now at four or five different positions on offense and he would know what he was doing. For him it’s continuing to translate his talent into success on the field.”
Here’s a breakdown of the offensive side of the ball for Saturday’s scrimmage.
Quarterbacks
Junior Jeremiah Masoli is slated as the number-one quarterback for the Spring Game following his solid performance this spring. Junior Justin Roper is right behind him, and Kelly has said he’s been impressed with Roper’s accuracy this spring.
Freshman Darron Thomas is third in the depth chart, following his “inconsistent” play, as Kelly put it. And with Harper and junior Nate Costa also listed as quarterbacks, there is enough depth that Duck fans won’t have to worry about a steep drop off if one guy goes down.
Running backs
The Ducks are six deep at running back, with senior LaGarrette Blount leading the way. Blount’s suspension from winter conditioning hurt him, as he came into the spring battling some concerns about his weight.
“I’m still not where I want to be, but I’m getting there,” Blount told the Register-Guard after the last scrimmage. “I’m getting there quickly, and dropping weight as I move along.”
Senior Andre Crenshaw says that as a whole group, there’s definitely room for improvement.
“I think it could have been better,” Crenshaw said. “There’s always room for improvement. A lot of people will say it was OK, but I always think there’s room for improvement.”
Filling out the ranks is junior Remene Alston, who hurt his foot in the first scrimmage, freshman LaMichael James, junior Sam Doman and freshman Kenjon Barner. Barner also plays defensive back, and Kelly says he will play both sides of the ball on Saturday.
Wide receivers
The wide outs are a young group this year. With only two seniors listed on the roster of tight ends and receivers, Frost and Kelly look to develop the core group.
“They know they need to get better,” Frost said. “They need to be better blockers, catch the ball better, run better routes; everything receivers do. If you just shut it down after spring ball, all the progress we made will be lost. It’s tough that we don’t have much experience. But it’s nice because you know that most of the guys will be around for more than just a year.”
Frost also liked how junior Aaron Pflugrad and senior Rory Cavaille progressed this spring.
“Aaron Pflugrad has done an unbelievable job this spring,” Frost said. “Rory Cavaille, too. Both guys have been here a bit longer and know what to do, and they have shown the way. I’m really happy with the two.”
Offensive line
The O-line is another place where the Ducks are young. Not a single senior is listed on the roster, and with the loss of Max Unger to the NFL, leadership will be key. But Crenshaw, whose health and safety depends upon the linemen, says he’s not worried.
“It’s a little different,” Crenshaw said. “But you always have new guys. I know with the line we had last year, guys move a lot. Max (Unger) played guard and tackle at times. It’s a little different; you have to get adjusted to it, but I think they’re doing a great job now. It’s more them getting used to playing against the (first team). I think the more repetition they have the better they’ll be.”
Of note for Saturday’s scrimmage, the coaches decided to pit the first team offense against the first team defense. The white team will feature the offense, with Masoli, Blount, Crenshaw, Pflugrad and wide receiver Jamere Holland as notables.
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