Oregon Football: Ducks Open Spring Practice Focused On Improvement

Oregon Football opens Spring Practice on Wednesday and Head Coach Mario Cristobal remains focused on improvement.

The Ducks enter Spring Ball with injuries in key positions and several players will not get the full benefit of participating. Jake Hanson will miss part of Spring following a procedure – Cristobal did not go into further detail. Nick Pickett who is coming off a solid Freshman campaign will likely miss all of Spring Ball. Both players should be in good shape for Fall Camp.

In his Spring Practice opening Press Conference on Monday, the Ducks first-year Head Coach talked about the work that needed to be done to clean up penalties from last season.

There will be a greater emphasis on technique this Spring, “Number one from a goal standpoint would be discipline, you saw last year that we hurt ourselves with a lot of penalties and that’s on us. We’ve got to do a better job coaching guys.”

The format for Spring Practice also differs this season with a one week gap several weeks in as Students head home for Spring Break.

Two players that Cristobal expects a lot from in 2018 are Troy Dye and Justin Herbert, “They are both students of the game and work on their craft constantly and we expect them to take that next step. Good players become great players and dominant players and that’s what these guys need to become.”

"I think overall we’re relatively healthy. This time of year you never have enough guys…we have enough to practice and get better.Head Coach Mario Cristobal on Injuries entering Spring Football Practice"

One player that will not return in 2018 is Rex Manu who medically retired from College Football.

Next: MBB: Oregon Ducks Fight To Find Consistency

Autzen Zoo will have reports throughout Spring Camp. Practice for the Oregon Ducks begins on Wednesday with the Spring Game set for Saturday, April 21^st at Autzen Stadium.