DSC Inside Read: Thoughts following second scrimmage

 

Gary Bryant, Jr.| Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

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Oregon’s Second Scrimmage: Signs of Balance Emerging

An interesting anecdote: if you asked every NFL coach if they wish they could close practices the way college coaches do, it might be the only thing upon which they’d all agree. NFL practices aren’t open because the coaches want it that way—it’s simply part of the deal, accepted quietly, if begrudgingly. Washington reporters like to call the closed practices in Eugene paranoia, pointing to their open access as proof of superior fan engagement. But I’ve seen their spring game attendance. They need that access to stir excitement. Oregon has built something different: win 11-plus games, and most fans will gladly accept closed doors if it means open seasons.

Still, this structure makes scrimmages the closest outsiders come to a true measuring stick. And in Oregon’s second scrimmage, the pendulum swung hard in the opposite direction from the opener. Dan Lanning admitted as much in his post-scrimmage remarks:

“Alright, good work today. Probably the exact opposite of last scrimmage. The offense had a really positive day, ran the ball well. Started off the scrimmage with a 13-play drive and were able to cap that off with a score. So, really a positive day by them. We protected the ball. We didn't throw any interceptions today, which is a big positive.”

That opening drive revealed two things Oregon has been chasing since camp began—ball security and rhythm. Last fall, even in a 13-win season, there were moments of sloppiness early against Idaho and Boise State where the Ducks looked more like a drunk sailor staggering than a playoff contender. Protecting the ball in August matters because it’s the habit-building foundation for September.

Quarterback Competition: Real or Rhetorical?

Coaches will continue to frame the quarterback battle between Dante Moore and Austin Novosad as “tight,” but history makes those words slippery. Before 2022, the staff sold the idea that Bo Nix and Ty Thompson were “neck and neck,” only for the truth to reveal itself in the first series of the opener. That isn’t to diminish Novosad’s growth, but Moore is showing why the staff pushed so hard to bring him home. Lanning noted the quarterbacks’ efficiency:

“None of our quarterbacks threw a pick today. They were all pretty efficient. They checked it pretty well. They took what was there and used their legs.”

The highlight remains the flick-of-the-wrist strike Moore delivered to Kenyon Sadiq in the “Under Construction” video. It was a glimpse of what makes him different: touch, timing, and the ability to threaten with his legs. If last year’s offense felt like a veteran unit keeping the machine steady, this year’s may be about the ignition spark of raw talent.

Wide Receivers: Youth Meets Leadership

Receiver coach Ross Douglas has been blunt: injuries to Evan Stewart and the suspension of Jurrion Dickey sting more for who those young men are than just what they bring on Saturdays. But Douglas also sees opportunity.

“Football is a next man up game,” he said. “A lot of guys will get the opportunity to step up and be able to do their thing.”

That “thing” is turning Oregon’s youth movement into production. Douglas rattled off Malik Benson’s versatility, Gary Bryant Jr.’s professionalism, and Dakorien Moore’s insatiable drive. Each represents a different rung of the receiver ladder: proven veteran, steady mentor, hungry freshman star-in-waiting. Even redshirt freshmen Dillon Gresham and Jeremiah McClellan are gaining confidence. As Gresham put it:

“The competition’s really hard. But that’s what we all like about it. That’s why we chose to come here.”

Depth is no longer about a rotation to get through practice—it’s a pool from which Oregon can pull answers when adversity inevitably hits.

Offensive Line and Emerging Stories

Every fall camp has a surprise, and this year one of them is Isaiah World. Lanning described him as “a diamond in the rough” whose first love was basketball, now growing into a player capable of anchoring an offensive line at Oregon. In a year where the Ducks are reshuffling personnel up front, stories like World’s matter. They show depth isn’t just developed in five-star recruiting wins but in identifying talent before it fully blooms.

Linebackers: Built From Within

If the wide receiver group reflects youthful flash, the linebackers represent slow-cooked development. Inside linebackers coach Brian Michalowski praised the growth of veterans like Jerry Mixon—patiently waiting, rep after rep—and the continued rise of younger names such as Brayden Platt and Kamar Mothudi. The philosophy is clear:

“It’s a build from within philosophy, and when you can do that, do it. Stick to that philosophy.”

Devon Jackson exemplifies this. Limited in past seasons, he’s finally stringing together healthy days. Lanning noted, “Seeing him back out there on the practice field has been really good,” while Michalowski added he’s “setting himself up for a great season this year.” That’s no small shift—Jackson’s speed has long been tantalizing, and if he becomes dependable, Oregon’s defensive ceiling rises.

Defensive Response and the Bigger Picture

For the defense, Saturday wasn’t a showcase. Tackling and stopping the run lagged. But even in defeat, there were lessons. Lanning said,

“Offense really won the day… but I thought the leadership was there on both sides today.”

That balance—one side winning, the other responding—matters more than scoreboard tallies in August. Scrimmages aren’t about revealing game plans. They’re about revealing resilience.

The Formula Still Holds

Closed practices may frustrate fans, but the formula works: win first, explain later. Oregon’s second scrimmage suggests a program on schedule, with the offense flashing cohesion, receivers establishing depth, linebackers developing continuity, and Moore showing why the gap under center feels wider than advertised.

Are we going to get a lot of coach-speak in the next two weeks? Absolutely. Will the proof be in the pudding? Absolutely again. For now, the pudding looks a little steadier than it did a year ago.

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Key Takeaways

• Offense responded: After a sluggish first scrimmage, the unit opened with a 13-play touchdown drive and played turnover-free football.
• Quarterback clarity: Dante Moore continues to look like QB1, with flashes of elite arm talent and composure. Novosad is improving, but the gap seems clear.
• Receivers growing fast: Veterans Malik Benson and Gary Bryant Jr. provide leadership, while Dakorien Moore and young depth like Dillon Gresham and Jeremiah McClellan are emerging quickly.
• Isaiah World’s rise: The basketball-turned-tackle is becoming a legitimate option up front, an under-the-radar story worth tracking.
• Linebacker depth: Devon Jackson’s health and Jerry Mixon’s patience give the room stability, while freshmen like Platt and Mothudi keep the pipeline strong.
• Defense regrouping: Tackling and run fits lagged, but leadership and depth remain evident; the unit should benefit from the offensive pushback.
• Overall trajectory: The Ducks look steadier at this stage than a year ago, with balance and resilience emerging across the roster.

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