On Saturday the Oregon Football team wrapped up Spring Practice with the annual Spring Game that provided plenty of Offense, but not so much on Defense.
While the full squad was split into two different teams, it may have diluted the effort somewhat from what we would see with a full strength team. AJ Hotchkins had 7 total tackles and Troy Dye made 6 for Team Free. Blake Rugraff was everywhere for Team Brave with 11 tackles, all solo to go with a pass breakup. The Oregon Offense appears to be in good hands entering Fall Camp.
Running Back Royce Freeman had a solid day between the tackles and Kani Benoit showed some speed running 96 yards for a touchdown. Darren Carrington had 4 catches for 116 yards and thrived on Offense with Quarterback Justin Herbert. He was 16 for 26 for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. Despite a solid game, Head Coach Willie Taggart did not go as far as to say he was the Starter entering Fall.
Taggart, a former Quarterback himself, is looking for a guy with the ‘it’ factor. A player that the Offense and Defense will rally the entire team. Herbert is working on being more vocal on and off the field, but clearly has the talent for the role.
Herbert helped Team Free to a 34-11 win averaging 9 yards per play. Travis Jonsen and Braxton Burmeister struggled to earn 4 yards per play during the game. Herbert found Carrington in the endzone on the final play of the game to add to the score and impress the over 35.000 that came to watch the start of the Willie Taggart era of Oregon Football.
The Military was again honored throughout the game with tributes, a flag ceremony at halftime, several flyovers, and the Jersey exchange following the game at midfield.
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Oregon Football now enters Summer break. Players will have to work out on their own without coaches as the team continues to build toward Fall Camp and the 2017 season.