More Football. Go Ducks

EUGENE – The University of Oregon football team worked through its final scrimmage of the preseason on Friday afternoon at Autzen Stadium, running upwards of 80 plays and a host of situational and special teams drills.

“We still have some work to do heading into the Washington game, but overall I’ve been very pleased with our team’s mindset and composure during this Fall Camp,” said head coach Mike Bellotti.

Quarterback Justin Roper got the practice game off to an explosive start, leading the first string on an 80-yard touchdown drive. The redshirt sophomore completed 3-of-4 passes for 51 yards and capped the drive with a 25-yard rushing touchdown.

Senior Terence Scott caught two of Roper’s strikes for 44 yards before a seven-yard reception by Jeff Maehl set up the scoring run. That was the end of the day for Roper and the bulk of the first unit.

While Roper was efficient through the air, newcomer LeGarrette Blount was nearly unstoppable on the ground. The junior’s first two touches totaled 85 yards, including a 29-yard TD run.

“Am I impressed? Yes,” Bellotti said of his powerful back. “He had some pretty big holes to run through, but proved how difficult he is going to be to bring down in the open field.”

The Ducks were missing at least three potential starters on both sides of the ball as they nursed various injuries, but that allowed plenty of playing time for newcomers and others trying to fight their way up the depth chart.

Transfer Ellis Krout led all receivers with five catches and 49 yards, and true freshman quarterback Chris Harper was second only to Blount with 10 carries for 52 yards. Harper’s long run was a 25-yard touchdown, but he may have broken off a few longer rushes if plays had not been whistled dead early as a precaution.

True freshman defensive back Scott Grady was the standout on defense, blocking a field goal and returning an interception 100 yards for a score. He also had three tackles.

Redshirt frosh Matt Simms was the leading tackler with five, including two sacks and four tackles for a loss totaling negative 21 yards.

The Ducks will participate in the athletic department’s annual Fan Day tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon in the Moshofsky Center before resuming their practice schedule later in the afternoon.

Sat, Aug 30 Washington * Eugene, Ore. 7 p.m. PT FSN
Sat, Sep 06 Utah State Eugene, Ore. 12:30 p.m. PT OSN
Sat, Sep 13 Purdue at West Lafayette, Ind. 12:30 p.m. PT ABC
Sat, Sep 20 Boise State Eugene, Ore. 12:30 p.m. PT OSN
Sat, Sep 27 Washington State * at Pullman, Wash. 3:15 p.m. PT FSN Northwest
Sat, Oct 04 USC * at Los Angeles, Calif. 5 p.m. PT ABC/ESPN
OSN
Sat, Oct 11 UCLA * Eugene, Ore. TBA
Sat, Oct 25 Arizona State * at Tempe, Ariz. TBA
Sat, Nov 01 California * at Berkeley, Calif. TBA
Sat, Nov 08 Stanford * Eugene, Ore. TBA
Sat, Nov 15 Arizona * Eugene, Ore. TBA
Sat, Nov 29 Oregon State * at Corvallis, Ore. 4 p.m. PT VERSUS
* Conference Games