The Ducks held another split-squad session Tuesday, and the defense got the better of things among both groups.

Venue: Outdoor practice fields

Format: Helmets and shorts

Coming into preseason camp, Oregon's players were cautiously optimistic the defense could make a sizable improvement in 2017. Last week at Pac-12 Media Day, it was clear some other programs around the league also felt the addition of defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt would pay immediate dividends for the Ducks.

The caveat here is that it's not uncommon for the defense to be ahead of the offense for the first few days of camp. But after two split-squad practices Tuesday littered with turnovers forced by UO defenders, the Ducks are feeling good about the progress they've made so far under Leavitt.

"We're definitely working toward looking better," said sophomore Troy Dye , Oregon's returning defensive MVP who moved to inside linebacker for this season. "We still have a lot of room to improve; Coach Leavitt seems happy, but he still finds a lot for us to work on."

Tuesday's early session featuring mostly freshmen again featured an interception in 7-on-7 by inside linebacker Isaac Slade-Matautia (below), and his classmate and fellow inside linebacker Sampson Niu grabbed another during the same period. Later, when the veterans took the field, Brady Breeze had a pair of picks in drills, and freshman Thomas Graham Jr. jumped a short route for a pick-six against the No. 1 offense.

In the post-practice huddle, UO head coach Willie Taggart asked aloud how many turnovers the defense forced, and a few different numbers were thrown out. Taggart said he wants the defense to start counting turnovers aloud as they happen, keeping a running tally throughout practice.

"We want to emphasize taking the ball away," Taggart told his team. "Because you know what? You give it back to the offense, we're gonna put it in the end zone."

Of course, the other side of the coin is that the offense wants to clean up the turnover issue as camp progresses. And Justin Herbert and company had some highlights of their own, including a touchdown drive late in the day that ended in Kani Benoit cutting behind a Jake Hanson block to reach the end zone.

But overall, the day was won by the defense, a unit that had much room to improve after last season, and so far is showing some positive signs.

"If we continue to grow, and continue to practice the way we've been practicing, we're going to be a damn good defense," Taggart said.





Tuesday featured the last split-squad practice, with the Ducks scheduled to have the full roster on hand for a single session late Wednesday morning. It will be a chance for players who have shown flashes in the freshman practices this week – cornerback Deommodore Lenoir , running backs Darrian Felix and CJ Verdell , defensive tackle Austin Faoliu (99 above, with Slade-Matautia) – to prove themselves when matched up with veterans.

"I think they're ready," Taggart said. "They're athletic enough to help us. And I'm looking forward to seeing them tomorrow."

Highlights: Twice in 1-on-1 drills in the early session, Lenoir made pass coverage look really effortless. He ran stride for stride, first with Johnny Johnson III and then with Daewood Davis , before flicking away passes. And Lenoir nearly picked off the ball intended for Davis at the goal line, but couldn't quite grab it before it fluttered to the turf. … Like Brenden Schooler on Monday, Niu atoned for a dropped interception on one play by grabbing his interception on the very next rep (below), and off a deflected pass as well. …

Gus Cumberlander jumped out a couple times as an outside linebacker in 11-on-11. He pressured the quarterback into one risky throw that Slade-Matauita nearly picked off, and later in the period Cumberlander beat a tight end's block and grabbed a slot receiver by the jersey. … Also in that 11-on-11 period for the newcomers, Mike Irwin dropped a beautiful ball into the hands of Johnson, despite tight coverage from Dexter Myers . And Taj Griffin used his electric cutting ability to juke past Billy Gibson on a screen pass, with Gibson rebounding to intercept a deep ball on the final play of the period. …

Graham was in the middle of the action throughout the second session. He and Charles Nelson went back-and-forth matched up against each other in 1-on-1 drills. In 7-on-7, Herbert completed a back-shoulder throw to Alfonso Cobb despite Graham's coverage; Herbert, who continues to come out of his shell a bit, ran down for a side bump with Cobb. Later, in 11-on-11, Graham and Dillon Mitchell were mixing it up after a play. Taggart pulled them aside and, with an arm around each, coached them up about using better judgment.

Observations: Offensive lineman Zach Okun has taken a medical retirement. A former prep all-American and first-team all-state player from California, Okun made his collegiate debut last fall for the Ducks against USC. He was expected to compete for backup reps at center behind Hanson this year, and for reps at the guard spots as well. Early Tuesday afternoon, Okun posted about his retirement on Twitter:

Best wishes go out to Okun as he works on getting himself healthy. … Offensively, the most competitive position so far looks like tight end. Cam McCormick took some first-team reps Tuesday, and Jacob Breeland and Ryan Bay have worked with that group as well. … Redshirt freshman offensive linemen Jacob Capra and Logan Bathke swapped practice roles Tuesday. Bathke was with the "varsity" group Monday; he moved to the early session Tuesday, and vice versa for Capra. … Taylor Alie returned from illness and participated in Tuesday's second session. …