During a conference call on Sunday night, Mark Helfrich discussed the past at length, but he mainly focused on improving all facets of the team going forward. Even for a team that has a 4-0 record, is ranked second in the nation and is coming off a 55-16 win over California in horrendous weather, Helfrich sounded intent on getting better.
“Obviously from a record standpoint, we wouldn’t want it any other way and that’s part of the bottom line,” Helfrich said, “but we can get a lot better.”
While Helfrich consistently talked about his desire for improvement, he did express satisfaction with his team’s performance this season, especially against Cal. For a team that didn’t practice in any bad weather the week before their game against the Golden Bears, he was even more impressed.
“Winning the game in those conditions can do nothing but help your confidence,” he said.
The defense’s performance especially stood out to Helfrich. Even though the weather made passing the ball hard, Oregon’s defense still played a large part in shutting down one of the best passing offenses in the nation on Saturday.
“They were awesome early and that really set the tone and created a short field for the offense,” Helfrich said. “We didn’t finish the way we’d like to finish at the end of the first half or the end of the game, but all told, wide angle lens, [the defense] played really well.”
Helfrich added that the five turnovers Oregon forced in the first half essentially decided the game, and the Ducks experienced some good fortune when it was their turn on the turnover side. The Ducks fumbled several balls in the first half as well, but unlike the Golden Bears, the Oregon offense recovered their early fumbles.
However, Helfrich said he doesn’t want excuses. Holding onto the ball is vital for his players, especially running backs Thomas Tyner and Byron Marshall, who had one and three fumbles, respectively.
“They both have to work on ball security regardless of the climate, and just the experience of seeing things,” Helfrich said.
It would be hard to find a more electrifying player than Bralon Addison from Saturday’s game. The sophomore wide receiver made his mark on special teams, returning one punt from 75 yards and another from 67 for touchdowns. But Helfrich said he was just as impressed with Addison’s contribution in another area.
“I’m going to show a play in team meetings tomorrow where Bralon Addison is blocking for somebody else who’s scoring and he’s just as excited as if it were his touchdown. That’s what we’re all about. Same thing with Josh (Huff). He had a couple huge blocks. Kenon Lowe had a couple of key blocks on special teams, in the running game and in the passing game, so it’s an all-out effort.”
Part of Helfrich’s forward-looking mentality has to do with next week’s game against Colorado. He discussed his impressions of the Buffaloes, who have been much better compared to the last few seasons, according to Helfrich.
“They had a couple very bizarre special teams issues [against Oregon State], and I don’t know if that will get corrected, but they’re much better,” Helfrich said.
Colorado was the last school where Helfrich coached before coming to Oregon. He served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Buffaloes from 2006-08, and he had plenty of positive things to say about the football program and the city of Boulder.
“Living there was a great experience,” he said. “I obviously wish we would’ve won more, and that’s partly my fault, but I learned a thousand things.”
Helfrich constantly reiterated his desire for the Ducks to get better, almost to the point where one could forget how successful the Ducks have been this season. But Helfrich still had several good things to say about his team’s performance this season, and he expressed a lot of confidence in his team going forward.
“As good as our defense has been, we can be better. As good as our special teams have been, we can shore up some things there. Offensively, we can get a ton better. And we have some players who want to do that, who want to be a part of that, so that’s fun to be around. Hopefully, our best days are ahead.”
Other highlights from Helfrich conference’s call:
– “There are no updates,” Helfrich said regarding De’Anthony Thomas’ ankle injury he suffered on the first play of the game against Cal.
– On the firing of USC’s Lane Kiffin on Sunday: “It’s kind of a tough reality of this whole deal. You feel for the person. He’s a guy with a family and all those things that go along with that and that’s tough from a personal standpoint. But at the same time, that’s a part of the business and that could be you, but we just try to control what we can control and go about our business.”
– On Oregon’s cornerbacks this season: “All-in-all, they’ve been solid. We’ve put those guys on islands, played them in coverage. We’ve done a good job mixing it up.”
– On Avery Patterson, who grew up near Berekely, Calif. and tore his ACL last season in Oregon’s game against Cal: “Being a Bay Area guy, I’m sure there’s an added element to that, but the key with him is he plays really well regardless of who we’re playing.”
– On how he personally dealt with the terrible weather on Saturday: “It’s a lot more comfortable in the press box, but it’s great being down on the sideline with our guys.”