Sean Meagher

EUGENE — Each week The Oregonian/OregonLive's pair of Ducks beat reporters will review the 11 things they learned from Oregon's latest week of practice.

Here are our takeaways from the third week of preseason camp under coach Willie Taggart.

Don't Edit

1. Expectations for Oregon

Beginning Monday, The Oregonian/OregonLive will roll out several stories online related to its 2017 college football special section, which will hit newsstands later this week.

For the issue, I spoke with several Pac-12 experts about their expectations for Oregon in 2017 — people such as Nick Aliotti, Mike Bellotti, Dick Tomey, Rod Gilmore and Yogi Roth.

The takeaway: Though this is a transition year for UO, a bowl game should be an expectation for the program.

"They have to find a way to win some of the close games," Bellotti said. "That’s the key when you talk about close losses (in 2016) to Cal, Nebraska or Colorado. Those are three games there that could have gone either way."

Getting to the postseason isn't expected to be easy, however. My prediction for the season is included in the special section, but suffice to say there isn't much margin for error. Each expert believes UO's defense will improve, but not endure lumps along the way.

Don't Edit

"I’d be surprised if they weren’t a six or seven-win team," said Gilmore, an ESPN broadcaster since 1996 who knew Taggart through their connections to Stanford. "Nebraska will really say a lot, game two. Nebraska could put some points up and if you look out there and you see a lot of the same things you saw last year, that could be a bad omen. Wyoming’s got a quarterback in (Josh) Allen. They’re going to get tested on the defensive side early on. The issue is when they get into October. They run a gantlet."

Look for those experts' full thoughts on Oregon in 2017 Wednesday morning here at Oregonlive.com/ducks, or in the print edition later this week. -- Andrew Greif

Don't Edit

Related: Listen to the season's first podcast with guests Yogi Roth, Lincoln Kennedy and Mike Yam of the Pac-12 Network

Don't Edit

2. Seeing walk-ons earn a scholarship never gets olds

The way the Ducks awarded Kaulana Apelu a scholarship Sunday evening was really cool to see in person and that’s what I led Sunday’s practice report with. The full video wasn’t out by the time I posted, but now it is. Take some time to watch it, it’s a big moment for a player who has overcome size and injuries throughout his career. -- Tyson Alger

"If you have a dream, never give up. Always chase it." - Kaulana Apelu, Oregon's newest scholarship student-athlete. #GoDucks #DoSomething pic.twitter.com/ETqasbtL54 — Oregon Football (@oregonfootball) August 21, 2017

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Serena Morones for The Oregonian/OregonLive

3. The full Nelson on punt return?

Charles Nelson has been a historically good punt returner his first three seasons, averaging the second-highest yards per return in school history.

But new special teams coordinator Raymond Woodie doesn’t care what you’ve done, only what you’ve done lately. Nelson, who struggled to hold onto the ball last season at times whether receiving or on kickoff returns, might still be an option but he’s been pressured by others, such as freshman receiver Darrian McNeal.

During the 20-minute portion open to media during Sunday evening's practice, Nelson wasn't in the pool of returners, instead working as a gunner on punt coverage.

“We don’t want these kids to feel entitled because they did it in the past,” Woodie said. “Obviously it’s a new staff, new scheme, we’re evaluating and by next week I feel like we’ll know who we’re going to go with. Nelson is not going to be the only one back there.” -- AG

Don't Edit

4. Ducks were ready to scrimmage, but didn't

The disappointment of Sunday was the lack of a scrimmage. While a horde of Oregon season ticket-holders showed up to view what was thought to be a scrimmage inside of Autzen Stadium, Taggart and the Ducks’ staff instead decided to delay the competition for later in the week.

It wasn’t, however, because Taggart thought the Ducks weren’t ready to scrimmage.

They should always be on notice for that, he said.

“They better be ready to scrimmage anytime they put on the pads,” he said. “If we have guys not ready to scrimmage, we have issues.” -- TA

Don't Edit

Serena Morones for The Oregonian/OregonLive

5. Schneider's range

As a freshman in 2014, Aidan Schneider was the surprise winner of the place-kicking job due to his accuracy. Ever since, as he’s become more serious about the position — he was a lifelong soccer player before taking up football late at Portland’s Grant High School — his distance has now increased to the point that Woodie feels he’s “automatic” from 50 yards or closer.

“We tried 57 yards (last week) and he had the leg, but it went far left,” Woodie said. “He is a guy we are definitely going to count on.” -- AG

Don't Edit

6. Coaches are fine-tuning their game readiness, too

The concept of a scrimmage, in theory, is to get players game-ready. But what about the coaches? While several members of this staff have worked together on game days, there will be a lot of new when the Ducks take the field in less than two weeks against Southern Utah. So I asked Taggart about that on Sunday. How do the coaches get ready?

“We’ve had work. We’ll have more this week from a communication standpoint,” he said. “Come game day, those things have to work with all those distractions. That’s when you really figure it out. If you’re simple and everyone knows their role and does a great job of doing their role, we’ll be fine.” -- TA

Don't Edit

7. Ofodile on the mend

Redshirt sophomore receiver Alex Ofodile expects to be able to play in the Sept. 2 season opener against Southern Utah.

He told reporters last week that the reason for his limited availability during both spring practice and preseason camp was a broken bone in his foot. The revelation about the foot injury wasn't too much of a surprise -- he's worn more comfortable sneakers almost every practice, instead of cleats -- but his apparent readiness for Week One is.

A healthy Ofodile is a boost for a position that is extremely inexperienced. Ofodile is, too, with one career catch, but he was one of the country’s most sought-after receiver recruits in 2015 and, at 6-2 and 205 pounds, would be Justin Herbert’s biggest target on the perimeter. -- AG

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tyson Alger | The Oregonian/OregonLive

8. Stadium steps

During practice on Sunday evening, a bunch of players were in the stands of Autzen running up and down the stairways. Not sure if that was for conditioning or punishment, but before practice began, redshirt senior Ivan Faulhaber came off the field after running an entire “stadium” and could barely talk.

“That’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” he said, winded. -- TA

Don't Edit

9. Depth chart winners and losers hard to define, for now

Coaches are playing their cards close to the vest with their impressions of position battles so far.

At cornerback, assistant Charles Clark said that any and all of his charges have “an opportunity to get on the field this year.” Offensive line coach and co-OC Mario Cristobal has said that 10-11 guys could take the field. Quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo and coach Willie Taggart have said both Taylor Alie and Braxon Burmeister are doing good things at QB, but wouldn’t commit to one player holding an edge. Defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt brushed aside a question about his unit’s progress, while receivers coach Michael Johnson Sr. echoed what many said: check back with me later this week.

That’s when UO will wrap its preseason camp with a scrimmage Thursday, a practice that will help codify the depth chart. -- AG

Don't Edit

10. Half a hand's good enough for Breeland

Despite a hand wrapped heavily in tape, Jacob Breeland is still plenty effective.

The sophomore tight end has played most of fall camp with his right hand fully covered in a protective cast, while three fingers on the other hand are taped together. That’s a worrisome sign for a tight end group that counts Breeland as its most experienced player following the graduation of last season’s top three at the position.

But the preseason injuries that have required those tape jobs haven’t turned him into a decoy in the passing game.

“Breeland’s done a nice job with really a third of a hand,” said co-offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo, who helps with tight ends from time to time. “He’s got a Q-tip on one and a thumb on another and I don’t think he’s dropped a pass since, knock on wood.” — AG

Don't Edit

11. Freshman takes over at No. 2 center

Though sophomore center Jake Hanson is as close to a guaranteed start as you’ll find on the roster, the depth behind him has been dubious at times during camp due to an injury to Doug Brenner that’s kept him out for a chunk of the month.

Into that void stepped true freshman Alex Forsyth.

Forsyth, a West Linn High grad, was a highly regarded recruit nationally, specifically at tackle, so perhaps his quick rise should be expected. But his development from here will be watched closely. UO hasn’t had a rock-solid backup center since 2014, when guard Hamani Stevens reacquainted himself with the position and acquitted himself well during Hroniss Grasu’s injury recovery. -- AG

Don't Edit

Don't Edit