“Gaaal-eee!” Andy Ludwig shouts. “How did that happen?
“Back in the huddle!”
Sorry, coach, rookie mistake. One more try.
“There you go. Much better. Nice job. Nice job!” says Ludwig, Oregon’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Just six practices in to its spring drills, the Oregon football team has seen better days, better execution, better throws, better weather. Then again it is only the sixth practice of the spring and the real season doesn’t start for, what, 142 days. There’s bound to be mistakes, right?
“We have a long way to go,” Ducks head coach Mike Bellotti said at Thursday’s practice. “But I like our work ethic and I like our attitude.”
But come Saturday — when the Ducks will hold their first full-padded scrimmage — Bellotti expects to see fewer mistakes.
“I do think there will be added intensity Saturday,” Bellotti said. “Right now, it’s like powder puff or intramural practice. I’m sure we’ll see where people’s courage and toughness is (during the scrimmage).
“I’m looking forward to see people flying around.”
Nearly halfway through spring drills, the Ducks still have several unanswered questions they hope to answer before the annual Spring Game on April 27. Namely, Bellotti said he wants to solidify the quarterback, cornerback, tight end, fullback and linebacker positions.
Ludwig, himself trying to adjust to a new life in Oregon after transferring from Fresno State, has been working closely with the three quarterbacks — junior Jason Fife, sophomore Scott Vossmeyer and redshirt freshman Kellen Clemens.
“Everyone is working hard and getting reacquainted with the system,” Ludwig said.
Although it’s not uncommon for players to be a bit rusty during the spring, Ludwig said the quarterbacks’ execution must get better.
Perhaps the biggest news from the first two weeks of practices is Clemens’ adjustment into the rotation. The Burns, Ore., native has moved ahead of Vossmeyer to No. 2 in the depth chart — and he may not be done.
“Clemens has been pushing Fife, and they will split time with the (starters),” Bellotti said.
Bellotti said he is still waiting for another defensive back to go with junior Steven Moore, but he is comfortable with his depth on the defensive line, especially sophomore Igor Olshansky and Robbie Valenzuela.
“The two guys that we lost (on the line) are replaceable,” Bellotti said. “Igor and Robbie are better physical athletes. They’re bigger, faster and stronger and their experience will help take some pressure off the corners.”
The tight end and fullback spots are essentially hand-in-hand. Junior George Wrighster, the backup tight end last year, has been working out at fullback — a spot he may become very familiar with by fall.
With junior linebacker Kevin Mitchell, a starter last season, sitting out spring drills with an injury, two linebacker spots will be open for competition.
“This is a chance for others to prove themselves,” Bellotti said. “Everyone has something to prove.”
Oregon’s first scrimmage will start after its 2 p.m. practice Saturday at the practice fields outside of the Casanova Center.