The Oregon Ducks are stepping confidently into the 2025 football seasonโnot by searching for comfort, but by embracing chaos. With Autzen Stadium undergoing major renovations, the Ducks have temporarily relocated their practice operations to a makeshift field adjacent to the Hatfield-Dowlin Complex. For a program that prides itself on precision, speed, and routine, the disruptions might seem like a setback. Instead, head coach Dan Lanning views them as an opportunity for growth.
Construction activity hums in the background during drills. Players weave around temporary fencing, and equipment crews navigate narrow pathways from locker room to field. According to Lanning, the Ducks are deliberately leaning into the disorder as a competitive advantage. โFootball never goes perfectly,โ he said. โYouโll get bad footing, loud crowds, changing weather. The more adaptable we are Monday through Friday, the better we play on Saturdays.โ
The new practice fieldโsmaller and without permanent fixturesโforces Oregon to innovate. Portions of practice are divided into modular stations, allowing offensive and defensive units to work simultaneously in condensed space. Quarterbacks practice with simulated crowd noise blasting from portable speakers, while linemen compete in high-paced drills designed to mimic frantic in-game scenarios.
Veteran players are buying in, becoming mentors to younger teammates who might be rattled by the less structured environment. Senior linebacker Jeffrey Bassa called the setup โgritty and fun,โ emphasizing that it sharpens focus: โYouโve
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