Oregon wrapped up the first week of drills with two practices Saturday, leaving coach Mark Helfrich to say the Ducks are “headed in the right direction” as they prepare for their season opener now only three weeks away.

“You’re never where you want to be,” Helfrich said in evaluating the progress of his team. “You’re always striving for something else. … You’re never satisfied.

“I like where we’re going, but we’ve got to go there.”

After seven practices in six days, and usually a walk-through on days there was only one formal workout, the Ducks stayed away from the fields Sunday and only held meetings.

“We’re a little bit run down, a little tired, but after (today’s respite) we’re going to be ready for the next week,” offensive tackle Tyler Johnstone said.

Helfrich said the second week of workouts will include more installation for both the offense and defense, along with putting the kickers “in some pressure situations.”

What the players found in the first week was about what they expected: not much change from preseason camp with Helfrich replacing Chip Kelly. First and foremost, the pace is fast … when it’s not faster.

“It’s no different. For the most part, it’s the same old, same old,” senior safety Brian Jackson said. “It’s our system and that’s what we do and what we’re going to stick to.”

“I think coach Helfrich believes in the fact we’ve built a culture here and it’s been successful,” quarterback Marcus Mariota added. “We’re going to continue that and see where it takes us.”

Mariota’s No. 2 still a mystery

While there’s no question about Mariota being the starting quarterback heading into this season, one of the key battles of fall camp will be deciding which quarterback is designated as No. 2, Jake Rodrigues or Jeff Lockie, both redshirt freshmen.

“They’ve had their moments,” Helfrich said. “Both those guys have done some good things, both have made a couple of ‘I need to make this throw to force it to win the job’ type of mistakes,” Helfrich said.

“They just need to play within the system, and when they do that they’ve been really good.”

Asked about differences in their abilities, Helfrich said, “they’re very similar. Jake’s got a little bit stronger arm, but Jeff has a very efficient motion and the ball gets there in about the same amount of time. They’re both good athletes, they’re both tough guys.”