by Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com

Venue: Outdoor practice fields
Format: Full pads

For the second time in three weeks, the Ducks are preparing to play on the road against an opponent riding a crest of momentum, while Oregon itself is trying to regroup from defeat.

Two weeks ago, that team was Colorado, and the UO football team dispatched of the Buffaloes, 41-24. This week the opponent is Washington (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12), which has won three of its last four and comes in fresh off a 17-12 victory at Southern California.

Though three defenders from UW – Danny Shelton, Marcus Peters and Shaq Thompson – were first-round draft picks last year, the Huskies haven't missed a beat on defense. They lead the Pac-12 in scoring defense (15.0 ppg), total defense (326.0 ypg) and rushing defense (121.6 ypg), and they're tied for first in red-zone defense, having allowed just six touchdowns in 17 opportunities. Washington is second in pass efficiency defense, allowing a rating of 102.65.

“They've got experience on the back end (and) they do a great job of mixing man/zone principles by down-and-distance, very well,” UO coach Mark Helfrich said. “And then their front guys are just really active, eat up a lot of gaps.”

In the middle of the UW defense is 311-pound nose tackle Elijah Qualls. Safeties Budda Baker and Brian Clay are standouts, while the leading tackler is linebacker Azeem Victor – who will sit out the first half Saturday after an ejection for targeting at USC.

That defense will take on an Oregon offense that is reeling in recent weeks, due in no small part to inconsistent quarterback platy. UW coach Chris Petersen has said he expects Vernon Adams Jr. to make his return this week, and Helfrich was asked Tuesday about the potential impact of a return by Adams.

“We need to play better everywhere,” Helfrich said. “Obviously the focal point is at quarterback, and some of the issues we've had at that position are obviously highlighted because of it. But we'll see. We'll see.”

Just as the Huskies do a great job of mixing things up in coverage, the Ducks expect them to use deception offensively as well. Outside linebacker Torrodney Prevot said the Huskies are “magicians” with the misdirection they like to use; Petersen's Boise State teams also were known for effective use of pre-snap shifts and motions to get defenses out of whack.

For an Oregon defense that has struggled through assignment and communication issues this season, that's something to watch.

“The biggest thing is, do your job,” Helfrich said. “Eye discipline on what your job is.”

Highlights: The day began with a one-play scenario between offense and defense. The ones were stopped when Tyson Coleman came up with a tackle for loss. The twos converted when Kani Benoit side-stepped Danny Mattingly and got upfield. … Fun matchup in 1-on-1 drills, as Devon Allen ran a fly route against Ty Griffin. The U.S. hurdles champion gained a step on the speedy ex-quarterback, and hauled in a pass from Jeff Lockie. Tony Brooks-James twice got a step on a safety, and hauled in balls up the seam from Lockie and Taylor Alie. …

Adams got off a couple nice passes under pressure in team situations, better comfort in the pocket than he experienced against Utah. He did have one pass broken up by Jihree Stewart, who jumped a short route, and Dylan Kane later broke up a screen from Adams. … Receivers did their quarterbacks favors over the course of the day, with Bralon Addison reaching back to haul in an Adams pass thrown a little behind him, and Kirk Merritt making a leaping catch of a Lockie pass. … Evan Voeller was a step late getting out to cut a defender during one play in team drills, but the free man couldn't square up Taj Griffin, who danced past him and up the field.

Other observations: Helfrich said the Ducks won't comment on Darren Carrington's eligibility prior to Saturday's game. … The Ducks have set their schedule for their bye following the UW game. The team will practice Tuesday and Thursday of next week. Practice for the game at Arizona State on Thursday, Oct. 29, will begin next Saturday, Oct. 24. … Juwaan Williams was sound in wrapping up players a number of times this morning. He's missed a couple in games but seems to be making a concerted effort to address that. … Rodney Hardrick jumped in for a player who couldn't take his reps on kickoff return. There's not much, if anything, he couldn't do in a pinch from the standpoint of knowing an assignment.