Oregon's offense built momentum earlier in the week, but the UO defense had its best practice so far this spring Wednesday.

Venue: Outdoor practice fields

Format: Full pads

The last few periods of Wednesday's UO spring football practice gave the offense possession at the 35-yard line with the chance to drive the field. Late in the drill, Justin Herbert moved the chains with a completion down the sideline to Darren Carrington II . Three plays later, Herbert hit Ryan Bay running up the seam, and the tight end took it 33 yards for a touchdown.

The scoring play occurred on third down, fitting for a day – though not that specific drill – which focused on third-down scenarios. Conversely, it was also generally out of character on what head coach Willie Taggart called the defense's best day of this spring, so far.

During 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods earlier in practice made up entirely of third-down reps, the defense dominated. If that's a sign of things to come in the fall, it will be welcome progress after the Ducks allowed opponents to convert on 48.47 percent of their third-down chances last season, No. 122 in the country.

"Damn good day today, defense," Taggart told the Ducks in the post-practice huddle. "Loved the energy, loved the playmaking."

The first major drill of third-down scenarios was 7-on-7. The offense only converted about a third of the time; Travis Jonsen split two defensive backs for a nice completion to Malik Lovette , and Braxton Burmeister (below) dropped a pass over a safety and into the arms of fellow true freshman Darrian McNeal , but those were rare conversions. Ugochukwu Amadi and Khalil Oliver had pass breakups during the drill, and linebacker Blake Rugraff made a couple tackles just short of the first-down marker.

It was more of the same in an 11-on-11 third-down drill. Kani Benoit moved the chains at one point, but Jalen Jelks wrapped up Royce Freeman on the first play, and Amadi broke up another pass.

Besides the lack of execution, Taggart was displeased with the offense's demeanor during those periods. "We need some guys that's gonna rally the troops and get us going," he said later. "This football team wants leadership. This football team needs leadership. Who's gonna be that guy?"

Those comments were made after practice, but perhaps some of the offensive vets could sense the same. Prior to the last team period, Doug Brenner went down the line on the offensive sideline, exhorting his teammates: "Let's finish this. Let's finish this."

The message was received. On the second play of the drill, Freeman burst through the line and raced 60 yards for a touchdown. "Yes!" offensive line coach Mario Cristobal yelled. "Power! Power! Power!"

The defense did make a couple stops during the period, notably on a big hit by Brady Breeze that broke up a pass over the middle to Jacob Breeland . But Herbert's TD pass to Bay followed moments later, and the offense was driving again when Taggart blew the whistle to end the drill.

"We've got to learn to finish; we can't be up here," Taggart told the defense afterward, holding his hand high in the air, "and then finish on a low note."

Highlights: After the last team period, Taggart called for a single field-goal attempt by Aidan Schneider , a "game-winning" try of about 42 yards. Schneider drilled it. … Cam McCormick caught a couple passes from Herbert and moved the chains in the 7-on-7 third-down drill. The Ducks lost a ton of veteran talent at tight end after last season, but they're still working the ball a ton to the young tight ends still on the roster. … The Ducks also did their new "9-on-7" drill mentioned the other day, essentially 7-on-7 but involving players inside the box for runs plays. If that drill was any indication, Troy Dye is going to lead the Ducks in tackles by a wide margin again, and Freeman is going to be an absolute load to bring down ….

Today's live blocking-tackling drill was a one-on-one situation in which a back took a handoff and a defensive player tried to shed a block and make a tackle.

Observations: Taylor Alie was in a white practice jersey and playing full-time at receiver today. That's not the first time he's done so to fill in at a skill position, though this sounds potentially more permanent. "He's doing everything we ask, and he's doing it with great effort," Taggart said after practice, praising Alie in front of the entire team. "He wants to help this team. That's big-time. That's a guy that's all in." …

There was a whole mess of alumni on hand, from the old – Nick Aliotti, Neal Zoumboukos , Bob Newland, Anthony Newman – to younger guys like Brent Haberly, Ryan DePalo, Jeff Maehl and Derrick Malone Jr. Also on hand was former WSU quarterback Alex Brink, like Herbert and Alie a graduate of Sheldon High in Eugene. … With Brenden Schooler nursing a minor injury, Breeze and Mattrell McGraw got some reps as the first-team safeties this morning. Gary Baker was back at nose guard with the first unit. …