Oregon is getting closer to having a familiar piece back in the mix up front.
Offensive line coach A’lique Terry said Monday, after the first practice of the Ducks’ second week of fall camp, that redshirt senior guard Dave Iuli is making steady progress as he works back from the tricep injury he suffered late last season. Iuli tried to push through the issue in the College Football Playoff semifinals against Indiana before leaving in the third quarter.
Terry said Iuli is “back grilling” on the field for Oregon and praised the way he handled his rehab.
“He was doing a really good job today in one on ones,” Terry said Monday. “He’s done a phenomenal job of getting back in rehab, too. I expect Dave to be around when it’s time for ball to be played.”
That’s the kind of update Oregon fans wanted to hear with the Sept. 5 opener against Boise State getting closer. The Ducks are already trying to remake an offensive line that has to replace three starters who moved on to the NFL.
Iuli, a native of Puyallup, Wash., was one of the most dependable pieces on that front last season. He started all 15 games, lining up at right guard 14 times and at left guard once.
He also remains part of the group’s leadership core. Along with center Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu, Iuli has been helping bring along younger linemen fighting for snaps. Terry said Iuli has stayed engaged even while he’s been out.
“Dave was in the hallway after we finished practicing today, like, ‘Man, Trent (Ferguson), ballin’, man. Trent with some power,’” Terry said.
The value of getting Iuli back goes beyond experience. He was especially clean in pass protection last season, giving up just 10 pressures and no sacks in 435 pass-blocking snaps. Oregon was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, handed out to the nation’s top offensive line, for the third straight season.
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