In the first show of the Willie Taggart era, Team Free defeated Team Brave 34-11 in the 2017 Oregon football spring game. In front of a crowd of 36,821 at Autzen Stadium, the Oregon football team teased fans with what will come in the fall.
Entering the game, the new coaching staff was not as worried about executing the complexities of a system. Rather, they wanted to see players compete and play well within the basics of the offense and defense. The emphasis today was on hustle.
“I really like the way the guys competed today,” head coach Willie Taggart said. “It’s been there. That’s part of what we want to have, a lot of energy.”
The first drive of the game was an exciting one for fans of offense. The Justin Herbert-led Team Free capped off a 10 play, 75-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Darren Carrington.
It was the start of what would turn out to be a solid day for Herbert. He finished 16-of-26 for 327 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions.
“He had a hell of a scrimmage,” Taggart said.
Did something. Herbert to Carrington for first TD of Spring Game. #GoDucks pic.twitter.com/H72yKX4Y5r
— GoDucks (@GoDucks) April 29, 2017
The quarterbacks of Team Brave did not fair as well. Travis Jonsen finished 5-of-15 for 86 yards and one interception. He did have one of the most impressive passes of the game, though. Jonsen perfectly placed the ball over safety Brady Breeze’s shoulder and right into Dillon Mitchell’s arm for a 44-yard gain.
“Definitely not how I wanted it to happen,” Jonsen said of his 5-15 performance. “I’m not going going to hang on this game and let this represent how I did for the whole spring ball. I think I had a great spring ball.”
One of the biggest plays of the game came on a big run from Kani Benoit. His 95-yard touchdown run was impressive as he used patience to evade defenders. Oregon also displayed its stable of running backs with solid performances from Royce Freeman, Tony Brooks-James and Benoit.
Team Free scored again thanks to two impressive plays by Herbert and Carrington. Carrington snagged a 48-yard pass over freshman defender Thomas Graham to set up a 25-yard touchdown catch just moments later. Carrington finished the game with four catches for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Many Duck fans are hoping this is a foreshadow of his performances in the upcoming season.
“It’s good to be back out there,” Carrington said. “It’s good to have this change and bring a new era of Duck football and bring a new swag out there.”
There are no words to describe how AMAZING this catch was by Darren Carrington😱
It's the @OpusBank #12Best Moment! https://t.co/phPcIOluJ1
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 29, 2017
For as much offense as there was, the Ducks made a number of impressive defensive plays as well. Interceptions from safety Billy Gibson and cornerback Arrion Springs helped Team Free build and maintain their lead.
Linebacker Blake Rugraff finished with a spring game-high 11 total tackles, all of them solo. A.J. Hotchkins and Troy Dye were right behind him with seven and six, respectively.
“We’ll be better tacklers. We’ll be better fundamentally,” Taggart said. “You’ll see them playing with great effort, and that’s half the battle when it comes to defense.”
Overall, Taggart was impressed with the energy around the program. The spring game is a glorified scrimmage. So for Taggart, it’s the premier showing and he is the director.
“All those people out there that was pretty impressive,” Taggart said. “I thought the entire Autzen stadium had the juice in it.”
Follow Jack Butler on Twitter @Butler917
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