The first week saw so-so play from the Oregon offense and defense.
The second week was dominated by the Oregon offense, specifically the team’s running backs. The group ran 36 times and scored three touchdowns, running the ball with success.
What week three holds is still to be seen, but surely, it’s time for the Oregon defense to step up. And that’s what they plan to do.
“It really is our time to shine,” linebacker Jerry Matson said. “Now we’re learning to adjust and use logic and use broad concepts so that every time we don’t panic. Now, if we can get the young guys going fast, we have a really good fast team and we can rally to anything they give us.”
The Duck defense has been without Igor Olshansky and Kevin Mitchell the entire spring, both recovering from injuries, and Oregon has been a bit behind its offensive counterparts. Still, Junior Siavii has filled in well for Olshansky, and Matson has been mentioned multiple times by head coach Mike Bellotti for standing out.
Yet, there is more the group needs to improve upon, and to do that today in the team’s scrimmage would be a confidence builder.
“The first scrimmage was so-so, the last scrimmage went pretty well on both sides of the ball, and now its time to elevate our game as a defense to the next level,” safety Keith Lewis said. “By the time we get to the spring game we should have all our tools together.”
Lewis said it isn’t easy to evaluate the team’s defensive capabilities during the spring, especially because the team will have a whole host of newcomers entering in the fall. That includes two junior college transfers in the secondary — one being controversial recruit Rodney Woods — but in the mean time, the current group is progressing nicely.
Offensively, Oregon will be looking to get the ball back in the air after its strong ground attack last week.
The team’s wide receivers are still a bit bruised, but as Demetrius Williams said, “You get your little nicks and pings here and there.
“I’m feeling pretty good actually,” he said. “I’ve got a little bit of soreness, but that’s football. Hopefully we’re going to get a lot more passes this week. We’ll see what happens.”
The scrimmage is Oregon’s last before the spring game, set to be held May 3 at Autzen Stadium.

Draft time
After Friday’s scrimmage, Oregon’s attention diverts to the NFL Draft.
Headed by running back Onterrio Smith, the Ducks have a host of former players that could go in one of the seven rounds Saturday and Sunday.
The group is led by Smith, who declared early after his junior season, in which he ran for 1,141 yards and entered the end zone 12 times. Tight end George Wrighster also entered the draft early and is expected to be chosen as early as the fourth round.
Wide receivers Keenan Howry and Jason Willis are also listed as possibilities, as is linebacker David Moretti, defensive end Seth McEwen, safety Rasuli Webster and offensive lineman Corey Chambers.