Report Card: Defense looks improved while offense showed flashes at spring game
The Spring Game brought some interesting things to the forefront. Hopefully, for the Ducks’ sake, the high points will stick around for the season, while the handful of low points will be ironed out in the coming months.
We can start with the quarterback situation. Bo Nix is obviously the top guy on the depth chart, and he played well on Saturday, though the game didn’t call for many heroics from No. 10. Ty Thompson struggled mightily at the start of the game, but he eventually settled in and had a great second half that should give fans some confidence going forward.
There were several highlights with some receivers, though. When they got the chance, Troy Franklin, Traeshon Holden, Kris Hutson, and Tez Johnson all made big plays and showed off their unique talents.
But Oregon fans should get used to what the Ducks showed them on Saturday as long as Dan Lanning is in Eugene. They saw a dominating defensive attack that snuffed out a good offense and very talented players on that side of the ball.
Here’s our official report card for the 2023 Spring Game.
Quarterback
Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Grade: B-
The grade could have been much worse and it looked like fans were in for a long day after the first quarter. But Ty Thompson’s good second half saved it from being lower. Bo Nix was 19-of-40 for 193 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a score as well.
If Thompson had started the game as he finished it, things would have been much better. But a 1-for-8 beginning can not be ignored. In the end, he turned things around and completed 15 of his next 26 passes, finishing with 274 yards and 2 TD.
Running Backs
Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Grade: Incomplete
The running backs weren’t featured very much on Saturday. Both teams combined for just 34 carries. True freshman Dante Dowdell was impressive and he showed that he could become a contributor on offense very soon. He led all rushers with 36 yards.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Grade: A
The main bright spot for the offenses were the receivers. Transfers Traeshon Holden (Alabama) and Tez Johnson (Troy) fit nicely with the Ducks. Now a veteran, Kris Hutson looks to have jumped up a level in development. He led all receivers with 143 yards, including a 70-yarder that set up a score. Troy Franklin looked as good as ever, hauling in five catches for 78 yards and a TD as well.
Offensive Line
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Grade: B
It’s difficult to judge an offensive line in a spring game when so many of the players don’t typically line up together, and won’t look the same once the season comes in September. There were no glaring mistakes and just a couple of false starts. There were just six penalties in the entire game.
Defensive Line
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Grade: A
The defensive line was stifling. They stopped the run cold. Both teams combined for 131 rushing yards. True freshman Matayo Uiagalelei had a couple of big hits in the backfield to wow the crowd. Jordan Burch displayed his quick first step, and Taki Taimani was a menace in the run game. All-in-all, it was a solid day for the DL.
Linebackers
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Grade: A
Depth issues may plague this unit for the time being, but on Saturday, it didn’t matter. Jeffrey Bassa and Devon Jackson led the team with five tackles each, while Jamal Hill added four more. The linebackers are a group to watch when fall camp arrives and the regular season.
Defensive Backs
Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
Grade: A
The defensive backs were really good on Saturday. Really good. The receivers got their explosion plays, but when the starters were in, it was Lockdown City. Cole Martin was impressive and didn’t look like a true freshman.
Special Teams
Ali Gradischer/Getty Images
Grade: A
Camden Lewis was a perfect 3-for-3 and the punting job is seemingly still up for grabs between Ross James and Luke Dunne. Both guys did their job. James had an average of 41.8 yards and a long of 62, while Dunne had an average of 42.8 and a long of 56.
Bucky Irving had one kickoff return of 30 yards and Cole Martin had a 29-yard punt return, which would have been longer in a real game.
