: Outdoor practice fields: Walk-throughIn the fall of 2014, as reserve offensive linemenandnursed knee injuries simultaneously, they hardly could have imagined where life would take them two years later.As the Oregon football team prepares for Saturday's 2016 home opener against UC Davis (2 p.m., Pac-12 Network), George and Miyashiro-Saipaia each is listed on the pregame two-deep. They're two of the most pleasant surprises to have emerged for the Ducks since spring drills, along with the likes of backup quarterback, his fellow true freshman, a reserve cornerback, and No. 2 slot receiverGeorge, a fourth-year junior, is listed as a backup on the defensive line despite only having moved to that side of the ball this past spring. Miyashiro-Saipaia is one of just four non-scholarship players on the two-deep, along with Eugenio, linebackerand backup punterMiyashiro-Saipaia spent Wednesday's practice at center with the second-string offense, the spot he occupies on the pregame depth chart."It's my third year here, and obviously the dream is to contribute to the team," said Miyashiro-Saipaia, a native of Honolulu who attended Punahou School, alma mater of. "So making the two-deep was a great first step."Miyashiro-Saipaia said the key to getting himself into contention for playing time was deepening his knowledge of the UO playbook this offseason, and his versatility. Primarily a guard before this preseason, Miyashiro-Saipaia has worked hard with Oregon's other centers to build confidence in his snapping, and said he could even fill in at tackle in a pinch.Eugenio likewise worked hard to make big strides this offseason. A high school running back, Eugenio spent countless hours this past summer catching passes from, honing his route-running and the consistency of his hands.Both Eugenio and Miyashiro-Saipaia have played in one game, last season against Georgia State. This week they're poised to see the field again, and not just in mop-up duty. Eugenio's top competition for reps could be, another true freshman who was outstanding throughout August."I'm preparing like any other day," said Eugenio, a shifty runner who also could have value in the return game. "If I get in, I get in. It'll be fun either way."George also made a few late-game appearances in 2015, after two years hampered by injuries. He enters Saturday as the backup toat one defensive tackle position in new coordinator's 4-3 scheme.Despite moving to defense just this year, George was confident in his ability to make an impact at his new position this fall."Like I told coach Helfrich when I asked to move, I just wanted to help the team out, and I felt like this was the best move for me," George said. "So every time I got into practice, I told myself to just attack the guy (blocking him) and find the ball – just simple things. I kept that in mind, and it happened to pay off."I'm slowly progressing every day. I'm never going to be a finished product, but I know each day I'm getting better.": With the Ducks in a walk-through format, there weren't many "highlights" per se. Given that this practice week began Saturday and thus included a bonus day, Thursday will feature another walk-through at an even more methodical tempo. Astold the Ducks after this one, "a real Thursday, no-sweat Thursday." … As has been the case each walk-through the last couple years, Helfrich summoned the field-goal team for one rep right out of opening stretches, andbooted through a 38-yard kick with the team watching. Later, in some end-of-game scenarios, Schneider made a couple more "clutch" kicks of about the same distance, andmade one as well. … Kudos to Jonsen, who continues to give his all in the wake of the preseason QB competition. During drills for the punt return team Wednesday, Jonsen put on a scout-team jersey and ran perhaps a dozen reps as a coverage player. "And he's running, not jogging," a teammate noted from the sideline during the period, in recognition of the effort Jonsen put forth.Offensive coordinator