A new era of Oregon Football begins on Saturday with a mix of experience to go along with unknowns that should make for an entertaining season in Eugene.
It has been nine months since Willie Taggart was hired to replace Mark Helfrich as Head Coach. In that time the team has worked on a ton of fundamentals, relearning the game as the Ducks new coaching staff has dicatated from Spring Camp and through Fall Camp. Some areas became weaker with players departing and depth could be an issue this season. Other areas have seen players step up and surprise.
The first Oregon Football Depth Chart has 12 new faces in Freshman that will likely see the field in the first game against Southern Utah incluidng Thomas Graham Jr. The Oregon Defense was terrible last season, and entering 2017 it will be a learning experience with new Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt moving the Ducks back to the 3-4 Defense. Troy Dye made a move to the inside and will work alongside Jalen Jelks to help solidify the line. There is one thing that Oregon Fans need to keep in mind before the first snap.
The Old Oregon is GONE. Fans will have to have patience. The Oregon Offense should continue to hum along with some new schemes and experience on the Offensive Line, at Quarterback and of course at Running Back with Royce Freeman. It is the Defense that will require some additional time to gel. Jim Leavitt knows it will take some time, ” I think they’ve challenged themselves to try and learn it…remember it’s the third system they’ve had to learn..there’s going to be things that aren’t going to be perfect…the key is to get better through the year, get better at what we’re doing.”
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Oregon Football is a young team and that has its benefits. This is a team that I would not want to see from late October on. The season gets started on Saturday with Oregon meeting Southern Utah at Autzen Stadium. Autzen Zoo wil begin pregame coverage at 4pm Pacific Time with kickoff set for 5:15pm PT on Pac-12 Network,
Quotes obtained first hand at Oregon Football Practice