Oregon Football Practice Report: Nov. 24
By Rob Moseley
Editor, GoDucks.com
Venue: Moshofsky Center
Format: Helmets only
Growing up in Portland, UO freshman Henry Mondeaux didn’t have a real vested interest in the Civil War.
“We had a bunch of friends who were Duck fans, and a bunch who were Beaver fans,” Mondeaux said. “My family didn’t care, so it was whoever’s house we were at.”
How things have changed. Now a defensive end for the Oregon football team, and with friends who attend Oregon State, Mondeaux’s perspective is a little different as the Ducks prepare to play in Corvallis on Saturday (5 p.m. PT, ABC). “Knowing people at both universities, and being here, I can sense the rivalry,” Mondeaux said.
Mondeaux is one of 23 in-state players on the UO roster this season, and one of nine on scholarship; seven Oregonians have started for the Ducks this season, including walk-ons Aidan Schneider and Matt Pierson. At Oregon State meanwhile, four of the 20 in-state players are on scholarship, and one – punter Keith Kostol – is a starter.
Oregon’s reputation is for jet-setting around the country to recruit, but it’s clear the UO staff keeps one eye intently focused on local talent. “They just try and recruit the best players possible to put a team together,” said sophomore linebacker Johnny Ragin III, a native of Wilsonville. “If the talent’s there, they’ll recruit you.”
Ragin grew up rooting for the Ducks, and recalls watching 10th-ranked Oregon win the 2005 “Fog Bowl” on television. Mondeaux attended a couple of recent Civil Wars as part of the recruiting process, which taught him that, while Oregon may be 10-1 entering Saturday, and OSU is 5-6, the Ducks can’t take anything for granted.
“Oregon State plays so tough every year against Oregon, no matter how they’re doing that season,” Mondeaux said. “The rivalry fuels that.”
Highlights: Most of the team periods were held at walk-through pace, though Tony Washington did show off impressive anticipation by jumping out and intercepting a screen pass with one hand in that format. ... The most entertaining period thus was 7-on-7. Marcus Mariota peppered the ball around to Byron Marshall, Charles Nelson, Dwayne Stanford, Darren Carrington and Devon Allen. Jeff Lockie was throwing with Chance Allen, Johnathan Loyd, Koa Ka'ai and Johnny Mundt among others. ... On the defensive field, Tyree Robinson tipped a pass away from a receiver and into the arms of Arrion Springs. A few minutes later, Robinson nearly had an interception of his own, but settled for another pass breakup. Ragin, Reggie Daniels and Dior Mathis also broke up passes.
Other observations: ICYMI, Jake Fisher and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu have accepted Senior Bowl invitations, and will join Hroniss Grasu at the postseason all-star game and draft showcase. ... Andre Yruretagoyena got some work at left tackle today, after practicing exclusively on the right side last week. ... The punt return and kickoff coverage teams were featured in special teams periods. Dominique Harrison has caught my eye a couple times as a returner for the scouts the last couple weeks.