Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

“On Nate Costa’s first drive, he burst through the right side for a big gain. It was blown dead after 14 years, but he was still moving well through the secondary at the time.”

here's the scout article (free)
http://oregon.scout.com/2/888727.html

Oregon’s offensive line recovered nicely from a down day earlier in the week and if the first drive of the scrimmage was any indication, the Ducks looked like they were near mid-season level in operating the running game. LeGarrette Blount carried the ball seven times for 52 yards, but after the first series he was mostly a spectator

Steve's report is a lot more more positive about the O line than Rob's. Different perspectives and expectations I guess.

For anyone who was there watching, some comments on Masoli and Costa would be appreciated. I think everyone not in attendance is hitting the blogs, looking at the stats and wondering what's up.

Seriously. Everything I've heard has been about Costa being crisp and the highlight of just about every practice, and now this.

I think there's a reason he had it won last year.

Masoli wasn't very sharp. Had some overthrows that cost us. That being said, he also had some good moments and looked really good scrambling. Costa played well, as always. He's been playing great in practices since his freshman year, so I'm not really surprised he's looked so good. Without his bad ACL, I have very little doubt he would've been our starter since D-Dix went down.

I really did not like our o-line's play. They just were not creating the lanes our RB's enjoyed last year. I really think in order for us to be a top 10 team this year, we need to either a. improve a lot up front, or b. get a lot more help from the D and become a more rounded team. Of course, it was just a scrimmage, but since BSU is only 2 and a half weeks away, I think it's a legitimate thing to worry about.

Defense looked really good. Thurmond had lockdown D almost every single play (Maehl got a few steps on him on one play but Masoli badly overthrew him) and TJ Ward was knocking heads. LB's played well, and the D-line didn't really lose their gaps, which is the most important thing.

LMJ looked good. I think he caught a TD pass. Alston also looked solid. Tuinei played well and Jordan had his moments. Cavaille really looks like a starter to me, although there were some big absences due to injury.

A DE named Simms was a MONSTER today on like the third-string D. He got in on at least half a dozen plays in the backfield. I think he was the most impressive player today for me, seeing as how I'd never heard of him. And Daryle Hawkins had a really cool pump fake that got a spy jumping and allowed him to waltz into the endzone. He looked like a very good runner. I really think we got a diamond in the rough there.

Holland was only in shells. Gaines and D-Jackson were suited up but I don't think either went in. DJ Davis was also out. I didn't see any injuries during the scrimmage thankfully.

Thanks for the recap, Tray Dub.

Hope Masoli steps it up and gets back into form.

He better do it soon ... 18 days, probably less before Chip names a starter.

Wouldn't it be a shocker if Costa got the nod as starting QB. Actually not though.....if Costa should end up upseating Masoli, it's because it'd give us the best chance to "win the day".

Oregon.......where even our 2nd string QB's make the cover of SI.

(For the record, not at all worried about JM after today's scrimmage. My only concern for him is being too amped on 9/3 and overthrowing.)

Was Costa playing against the ones on defense?

UOducksTK1 wrote:“On Nate Costa’s first drive, he burst through the right side for a big gain. It was blown dead after 14 years, but he was still moving well through the secondary at the time.”

14 years sounds like an error, I could have sworn Costa has been here much longer than 14 years.

Wow. Masoli was 5-18 for 44 yards and Costa was 12-15 for 159 yards. We have a QB competition.

Sounds like the kicking game was okay, too.

RanDux wrote:Wow. Masoli was 5-18 for 44 yards and Costa was 12-15 for 159 yards. We have a QB competition.

Sounds like the kicking game was okay, too.

I believe Masoli was actually 5-13. I saw it reported as 5-18 on one website, but most others, including the official athletic website, report it as 5-13. I wouldn't read too much into one scrimmage like this either since the circumstances each QB is facing is often different. Not making excuses for Masoli since Costa did appear to be the sharper of the two on this particular day, but things aren't always as clear cut as just looking at a scrimmage stat sheet to determine who the better player is. Last year before Costa got hurt, Roper appeared to be outplaying Costa also. Doesn't mean a whole lot since Costa was definitely going to be the starter last year (from what I was told by people that should know), even though the coaches wouldn't say it publicly.

Also, the punting was good but the field goal kicking was pretty awful overall. Everything from snaps to holds to the protection took turns being terrible. I know the team has time to work on this, but this has got to be a huge area of concern considering this area has shown no progress (from what I can tell) since the disastrous Spring Game.

With Costa doing well that puts pressure on Masoli to step up and be even better so that's good as long as Costa's knee holds up. Plus with Costa doing well if he and Masoli stay healthy the Ducks can redshirt Thomas! Plus Hawkins is looking good at QB as well. Things are looking good at the QB position!

Any word on how the D and O lines have looked so far?

Scrimmages will often be a chance for the coaches to try new things and make players work on certain aspects.
So if they told JM to try some new things and Costa was given the go just to play that makes a big difference. I'm a loyal person and based on what Masoli did for us last year, I think he starts with Costa right there if we struggle. Just my opinon.