Below is everything Dan Lanning said about the UCLA Bruins and Oregon at his weekly Monday press conference.
On Monday evening, Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning addressed the media ahead of their upcoming road game and first Big Ten conference matchup against UCLA.
Lanning covered various topics, including injury updates and his perspective on UCLA’s offense and defense.
Below is a summary of Lanning’s press conference, along with key questions and quotes.
Opening Statement: Lanning: “It’s great to be back on the field. We’re excited about our first Big Ten game and the chance to play at the Rose Bowl, a legendary venue. We’re looking forward to competing against a strong team.”
Q: Why was the bye week beneficial for your team? Lanning: “Ultimately, we improved. We focused on identifying areas for growth, and I was pleased with how our players approached this opportunity.”
Q: Do you know Eric Bieniemy, and what are your impressions of him at UCLA? Lanning: “I respect his offensive acumen. While we don’t know each other well personally, I’ve followed his successful track record as both a coordinator and a player.”
Q: What do you think of Ethan Garbers this season? Lanning: “He’s an athletic quarterback who scrambles effectively while keeping his eyes downfield. He’s becoming more comfortable and shows strong accuracy, especially against soft zone defenses.”
Q: Has anything surprised you about the team through three games? Lanning: “I’m impressed by their work ethic. The players came back from the bye week focused and eager to improve. Their leadership has been evident as they strive to enhance their performance.”
Q: What gives you confidence that you can execute a clean offensive game plan two weeks in a row? Lanning: “It comes down to the preparation we put in during practice. When we play clean football, we perform well, so maintaining focus on the road is crucial.”
Q: How does familiarity with players from both teams influence this matchup? Lanning: “It’s been some time since those players were with the teams, and there have been changes on both sides. While familiarity offers some advantages, both teams adapt their strategies week-to-week, so there will be new wrinkles.”
Q: What has led to improvements on special teams? Lanning: “The players take great pride in that unit. Their execution has improved, and we’re focusing on being one play away from big plays rather than missing opportunities.”
Q: What have you identified on film from UCLA that you can exploit? Lanning: “UCLA has shown resilience, playing well against tough opponents like LSU. They have areas for improvement, and so do we, which makes this a significant challenge.”
Q: How do you assess UCLA’s defense? Lanning: “They’re versatile, with a lot of movement in their front line. They can switch between different formations and disguise their coverage effectively, making it important for us to be prepared.”
Q: What has made Kain Medrano more disruptive this season? Lanning: “When he commits, he gets to the backfield quickly. He’s a strong tackler and contributes significantly on special teams, playing with intensity on every snap.”
Q: How do you manage an 8 PM kickoff? Lanning: “It’s a great opportunity, giving us more time to prepare. We appreciate the challenge that comes with it.”
Q: How is Matthew Bedford progressing? Lanning: “He got a little banged up in practice, so we’ll monitor him closely. We always prioritize our players’ well-being and will assess his availability this week.”
Q: Any updates on Jahlil Florence and redshirt discussions? Lanning: “Redshirt discussions will happen when needed, but he’s not at that point yet. Once he’s ready, we’ll look to incorporate him more.”
Q: What’s your philosophy on integrating transfer quarterbacks while developing existing ones? Lanning: “Building connections is vital to our culture. We want to nurture talent within our program, but also remain competitive by bringing in players who can enhance our team’s performance.”
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