EUGENE -- In all the attention surrounding the 1994 throwback uniforms the Oregon Ducks donned against Washington last Saturday, another equipment accessory change on the UO sideline went under the radar.



For the first time since his injury against Michigan State on Sept. 6, junior offensive tackle Andre Yruretagoyena traded his crutches and cast for a soft walking boot.



"It's been a while, but I'm looking forward to being back soon," he said after Monday's practice.



The Ducks (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) travel this week to Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., for a Friday matchup with California (4-3, 2-3).



Ever since his lower leg injury, Yruretagoyena has remained steadfast that he wants to play again this season. Another fellow injured tackle, Jake Fisher, has played the last two games after suffering an injury against Wyoming on Sept. 13.

Yruretagoyena sees his move to the boot as a "really good" sign his progression is matching his goal.

"I'm really coming along since what obviously happened," he said. "Right now it's just day by day and how I feel. The trainers are really glad with where I'm at and so am I. Now it's just a matter of getting back in shape to where I was conditioning-wise, which won't be too big of a hassle. I'll be running around in no time."

-- Speaking of the offensive line, it allowed two sacks in the 45-20 win against Washington. Center Hroniss Grasu said the blocking and protection on the whole was good, but not its best performance.

"We didn't play with nearly with the same amount of fundamentals and technique that we did the week before (against UCLA)," Grasu said. "This week we've definitely got to focus in on our footwork and our hands and just coming off the ball better.

"We got the job done but our footwork has to get better, coming hip to hip on blocks and double teams. We still did a good job but as an offensive line we always want to get better."

-- Cal's defense allows 38.4 points per game and 5.9 yards per play, which each rank in the lower third of college football, yet they're marked improvements from Sonny Dykes' first season as coach in Berkeley.



The Bears found a new defensive coordinator after giving up 45.9 points each game and 7.1 yards per play in 2013, marks that contributed to a 1-11 season.



Sophomore linebacker Michael Barton leads Cal with 48 tackles. Junior lineman Todd Barr's 4.0 tackles for loss are tied for second on the team, behind Barton's 4.5.



"They're running to the ball very well, they're very fast," Grasu said. "The two interior guys are very explosive and for the center and the guards we've definitely go to get off the ball and be quick and move them."



-- Friday's matchup is the first college game held at the new home of the San Francisco 49ers and Cal is having a tough time filling the brand-new 68,500-seat venue.



The Golden Bears have even gone to Groupon, where a deal for one ticket goes as low as $39 -- 63 percent off the original price -- to help drum up interest.



The atmosphere won't be as hostile as an on-campus stadium, but a partially empty stadium won't change Oregon's preparations, the players said Monday.



"We just have to create our own energy and that's what we do in practice," Grasu said. "No one's in that practice when we play, so we just have to do it on the road. It's no different than when we practice in the Mo(shofsky Center) or out here in Autzen Stadium when it's empty. It starts with the big boys, offensive and defensive line, and get the tempo going."



-- Andrew Greif | @andrewgreif