Notable Quotes From Offensive Coordinator Will Stein After Oregon's Third Practice of Fall Camp

Oregon held its third practice of fall camp in Eugene on Friday afternoon with the August 30 season-opener against Montana State just a few short weeks away.

Offensive coordinator Will Stein met with reporters after practice. Here are some of his top quotes from his media availability.

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On impact of losing Evan Stewart, how it redistributes everything

Stein: “Any time you lose anybody in your squad it’s tough. Losing Evan was definitely tough, but next man up mentality. We’ve been here before. I’ve been here before in my career, whether it’s as a player or as a coach. People get hurt in this game. It’s unfortunate. We wish it wouldn’t have happened, but it did. So it’s about guys stepping up doing their job, learning and growing. It’s what this fall camp’s all about. Trying to feel early on who that guy’s gonna be. Think we got a good group of kids: inexperienced, but talented. It’ll be interesting to see who comes out of camp to really take that spot.”

On how he’s seen Kyler Kasper bounce back to contend for a spot this season

Stein: “Kyler, he’s been a little bit injury plagued I would say early in his career, but super talented. Has a willingness to learn and can really make big plays down the field. We need him to play big, we do. He’s somebody I’m looking forward to this season getting out there and making an impact for us. Like you said, the best ability that you can have on offense and in football is availability. So he needs to be available like he’s done and take care of his body, which he’s done a phenomenal job of. Excited about where he can get to and his ability to make plays down the field.”

On traits he wants to see from the offensive line to fill in for depatures

Stein: “Elite communication. When you lose guys like that I think that’s the first thing that falters. But what do we need? Poncho (Iapani Laloulu) to be that guy. And that’s something that I’ve felt from him this summer is taking that next step in his leadership. He’s an upperclassman now, so his ability to lead, not just by example but by his vocalness is huge. And then physicality. I think what we added was very physical people: Isaiah World, Emmanuel Pregnon, Alex Harkey. These guys are big, physical players.”

On what makes him confident in wide receivers

Stein: “It’s more than just the wideouts, I really like our offense as a whole, the talent that we have, it’s just the inexperience factor. You lose Tez (Johnson), you lose Traeshon (Holden), the year prior you lose Troy (Franklin). That’s a lot of catches, a lot of experience. So the talent is there, but talent only takes you so far. These kids need to get real-life game reps and Montana State’s gonna be one hell of an opponent. And then every single day what we get to go against on defense is as good as you’re gonna find throughout the country. Our defense added tons of length in the backend that really looks like a different defense just to be real. They’re young as well, but the competition has been great so far.”

On what the added length in secondary changes for him

Stein: “I told our offense today how blessed we are to get to go against Dan Lanning, Tosh Lupoi, Chris Hampton, Brian Michalowski, Rashad Wadood, Tony Tuioti, Kam Araghi. These coaches on defense are—it’s the best I’ve ever been around. I mean it’s not even close. What they give us on a daily basis schematically is hard enough and then when you add extremely talented players in the backend and a guy like Matayo (Uiagalelei), Teitum (Tuioti), A’Mauri Washington and Bryce Boettcher, it’s a defense that’s really fun to watch fly around. I’m very happy and thankful that I got Tosh and Dan and Chris and all those guys on that side of the ball to coach that coach those kids up and develop ’em like they have. It’s really fun, it’s been great competition.”

On progress he’s seen Dante Moore make in last three months

Stein: “I just think he’s really tried to take a leadership role. And it’s hard when you haven’t played here. We know he’s played at UCLA, but now he’s been here for a full season and a full spring. So he’s really tired to take that next step in knowing his guys. Like you mentioned, throwing with receivers, being a leader. That’s really what I’ve seen the most. The biggest growth for him is just take what the defense gives you. You take what the defense gives you, they’ll give you the game. Every single time. We’ve won. a lot of games here with that mindset at quarterback.”