Go Ducks!

EULESS, Texas — Two days before a game is typically "no-sweat Thursday" for the Oregon football team.

The Ducks practice in helmets but no shoulder pads. They run through their offensive, defensive and special teams schemes for the upcoming game, at a walk-through tempo. It's a chance to rest their bodies and focus their minds before ramping the intensity up in the 48 hours prior to kickoff.

The College Football Playoff National Championship against Ohio State is on a Monday rather than a Saturday, so today was "no-sweat Thursday" for the Ducks. And with temperatures close to freezing, amplified by a brisk wind, the practice at Trinity High was "a natural no-sweat Thursday," UO coach Mark Helfrich joked with the team afterward.

"Excellent job today," Helfrich added in all seriousness. "Excellent job staying focused."

Though some players shivered their way through the workout, the energy stayed up. A major focus of these practices is communication, and the Ducks were vocal as ever. When a particularly popular song would play over the PA, the usual handful of players would bounce along to the beat.

"It's all about our mindset," Helfrich said.

Several players wore long sleeves under their practice jerseys, but some braved the weather and went sleeveless. Among them were inside linebackers Rodney Hardrick and Joe Walker, outside linebacker Tyson Coleman, offensive lineman Stetzon Bair and running back Thomas Tyner.

"We have cold practices at home, but we're usually inside," Coleman said. "It just adds another challenge to it, but I think we did a great job staying focused, pushing through the cold. It's mental."

The Ducks will hold their "Fast Friday" workout on Sunday, on the indoor practice field at the high school. Then they'll drop by AT&T Stadium to check out the setting for Monday's game, and take a team photo.