EUGENE -- Just as he has since injuring his lower left leg Nov. 8 against Utah, Oregon center

left practice Wednesday riding his customary scooter, resting one knee on a support to take pressure off his injury, and declared himself "day-to-day."

The senior who started the first 50 games of his career remains doubtful for Friday's Pac-12 championship game between the third-ranked Ducks (11-1, No. 2 College Football Playoff) and Arizona Wildcats (10-2, No. 7 CFP) at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.

"My status hasn't changed at all but one thing I like to say is that I'm getting much better every single day," said Grasu, whose position has been taken over by former left guard Hamani Stevens the past two games to positive reviews. "I'm seeing improvement every single day and whatever game I'm ready for, I'm taking it one day at a time."

Even if Grasu doesn't appear likely to play in a rematch with the Wildcats, his body of work previously this season earned him an award from the Pac-12 Networks on Wednesday.

Grasu joined Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright and Utah punter Tom Hackett as the conference's USA Football Fundamental Players of the Year.

According to the Pac-12, the awards were chosen by network analysts Rick Neuheisel and Curtis Conway and producer Jim Thornby.

The award is said to honor players who "employs proper technique and strong fundamentals, which foster inherent safety benefits and better on-field performance," per a Pac-12 release. USA Football will donate $4,000 in grants for youth football leagues in Oregon, Arizona and Utah to buy equipment.

It comes three days after Grasu was named Oregon's most outstanding offensive linemen.

-- Andrew Greif |