The Ducks were in shells for the second day in a row Friday, before donning full pads for the first time Saturday morning.

Venue: Outdoor practice fields

Format: Shells

Given the loss of a couple transfers this offseason, Oregon's search for a backup to quarterback Justin Herbert is on in this preseason camp, the first week of which will conclude Saturday.

True freshman Braxton Burmeister , who enrolled last spring, has taken most of the No. 2 reps so far this week. But new UO coach Willie Taggart is taking a look at all comers, including versatile athlete Demetri Burch and newly enrolled walk-on Mike Irwin .

One guy who didn't get a look with the No. 2 offense Friday was Taylor Alie , a fifth-year senior from Sheldon High in Eugene. That's because Alie, who got meaningful playing time at quarterback in 2015 while Vernon Adams Jr. nursed an injury, was getting ready for his wedding.

Alie is marrying his high school sweetheart, Rachel Giles, whom he met when both attended Sheldon. They're to be married on Saturday – and Alie will be back with the Ducks soon after.

"There's a honeymoon that night; that'll count," Alie said with a laugh Thursday, his last practice before attending to his wedding. "Then I'm back at practice Monday."

Alie said Giles is understanding of his athletic commitments. She played soccer at Sheldon and in college, before transferring home to Eugene's Lane Community College.

So she doesn't mind putting off a proper honeymoon until after the season.

"She knows what it's like," Alie said.

Alie, MVP of Sheldon's state title game win in 2012, first made an impact for the Ducks as the holder – and sometimes quarterback – for point-after attempts in 2014. He also playedin that role last fall, after helping account for Adams' absence against Colorado and WSU in 2015.

A versatile athlete, Alie has also practiced at running back and receiver when the Ducks have had needs at those positions during his career. That was the case this past spring, but now Alie is back behind center.

"It's a chance to play quarterback again; I love that," he said. "My legs love that too."





For his career, Alie is 6-of-14 passing for 96 yards and a touchdown, all in 2015. He also rushed 10 times for 142 yards as a sophomore, including an 87-yard touchdown run against Georgia State.

With the door open for Oregon's backup quarterback job this fall, perhaps Alie will have a chance to pad those stats in 2017. Either way, he's happy to be back at his natural position, and helping mentor Herbert.

"It's fun to learn again how to play quarterback," he said. "But it's really fun just to watch Justin, and continue to try and help as much as I can with him."

Highlights: There was a heavy focus on third-down plays in Friday's practice. The first 11-on-11 period drilled third-and-long situations; the defense won the majority, including on a pass breakup by La'Mar Winston Jr. , and tackles short of the sticks by Jimmie Swain and Gus Cumberlander . Herbert moved the chains on completions to Jacob Breeland , Darrian McNeal and CJ Verdell – the latter employing a nasty stiff-arm to extend the play – and Burch connected with Casey Eugenio for a conversion. …

In 11-on-11 situations near the red zone Freeman made it to the edge and turned the corner for a long run up the sideline, and scored on the next play. Later in the same drill, he made a sweet one-handed grab of a screen pass, raced toward the end zone and crossed the goal line behind a downfield block from center Jake Hanson , who flattened a safety. … In 1-on-1s, Jaylon Redd got vertical against a safety for a TD pass from Herbert, and Brenden Schooler (above) went up to make a catch along the sideline despite tight coverage by Ugochukwu Amadi . …

The drill then moved into the red zone, and Malik Lovette caught a nice fade route from Irwin. Johnny Johnson III nearly made an acrobatic reception on a similar play, but Arrion Springs broke it up (below). … In 7-on-7, Johnson held onto a pass from Herbert despite Thomas Graham Jr. trying to slap it out. Herbert also hit Schooler in that drill, on a vertical route. Burmeister checked down to Verdell on a rep later in the drill, but Springs slapped it away.

Other observations: After Thursday's thoroughly entertaining practice, the Ducks didn't have quite as much juice Friday. "You guys have put in so much work, you can't not have fun," Taggart told the team afterward. "It's too hard of a game." Saturday's practice will be the first in full pads, and the juice should be flowing for that one. … The Ducks dusted off a drill they debuted in the spring, with an offensive player lined up against a defensive player inside the 5-yard line, and a ball between them (below). The offensive player grabs the ball to start the play, then tries to score. It's a great way to kick off practice with a competitive, high-energy drill, though as noted the Ducks didn't always sustain that Friday. …

Taggart said Dillon Mitchell has been battling an illness, sidelining him the last couple days. … The freshman class of offensive linemen is already proving itself to be versatile. Alex Forsyth e took some reps at right guard with the No. 2 offense Friday. Fellow true freshman Cody Shear spent some time at right tackle, after playing both center and guard earlier in the week. … Brady Aiello was the No. 1 left tackle for the first team period, but Tyrell Crosby with in that spot for some later periods. … True freshmen with the ones at times Friday included McNeal, Johnson, Austin Faoliu , Jordon Scott and Graham.

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