After practice on Thursday, Oregon head coach Mark Helrich mentioned the word “rhythm” several times. While he often used this term to talk about his players’ on-field performance, he brought up another area where rhythm is crucial for the Ducks.
“With the normal rhythm of a game week,” Helfrich said, “we try to maintain that as much as possible.”
Because the Ducks are currently in a bye week, the routine for the players and coaches is not like it was the previous three weeks when they had games to prepare for each Saturday. Helfrich said he and the other Oregon coaches have already begun preparing for their next opponent, the California Golden Bears, but the preparation for the players is currently and purposely being delayed.
“We’ve already looked at all of [the film on Cal] and done a little bit of game-planning, but the nuts and bolts of that we’re certainly going to go over on Monday,” Helfrich said. “For the players, part of our strategy going into this week was to keep next week as much of a normal game week as possible. They are creatures of habit.”
Oregon senior linebacker Boseko Lokombo said the focus for he and his teammates this week has been much more internal.
“We haven’t really looked at Cal yet,” Lokombo said. “We’re kind of just focused on ourselves right now and trying to get better.”
Part of the focus on themselves includes taking a break this weekend. Helfrich said he’s been using this bye week to “recharge,” and he’ll be taking Saturday off to spend time with his family and watch some college football.
Lokombo is going home to Vancouver for three days.
“I love this week,” Lokombo said.
The Ducks might be using this week to recharge, but Helfrich notes multiple areas his team is focusing on that he hopes will help them later in the season.
“We want to get a little ahead from the game-planning standpoint and get some young guys a lot more reps,” Helfrich said. “Hopefully, that will pay off a few weeks down the road.”
Game weeks aren’t the only thing Helfrich hopes to keep consistent with his players. Helfrich expressed how impressed he’s been with the offense, who have committed zero turnovers this season.
“That number of turnovers is great,” Helfrich said. “That’s what we like, that’s what we preach constantly, and we can’t talk about. It’s like a no-hitter. You don’t talk about it. We talk about the things we can do to contribute to that.”
But as good as the Ducks have been this season, Helfrich said he isn’t completely satisfied.
“Every phase we can improve,” he said, “but so far, so good.”