: Outdoor practice fields: Helmets and shortsThe Ducks were entering the homestretch of practice Sunday when defensive coordinator's voice came booming toward the offensive practice field.The last couple periods each Sunday are devoted to 11-on-11 work against scout teams. Freshman inside linebackeris usually with the defensive scout team on the offensive field, but Leavitt yelled for him to join the travel squad defense, which played Saturday without inside linebacker, then sawfelled by an injury.Oregon (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) is nearing the midway point of the season as Saturday's game with Washington State approaches. But even after a dozen true freshmen already have been used, head coachstill could call on one or two more if circumstances warrant."All it's done has helped," Taggart said. "It's helped us for the future, and it's helping us now."The Ducks began the year with true freshmenandin the two-deep at nose guard, receiverstarting on offense andat punter. Cornerbackand safetyquickly earned starting roles as well, with classmatesandproviding depth in the secondary.andplayed themselves into the receiver rotation with Johnson, making it 10 true freshmen in action entering this past week. Then, against Cal on Saturday, Taggart finally took the reins off running back— which he'd hoped to do at ASU the week before — and needed to use quarterbackafterandwere injured.Had Taggart ever before used 12 true freshmen in a season, he was asked Sunday?"Oh, no — no," he said. "Half a dozen, maybe. But not a dozen."Based on the injury situation going forward, there could be more. Niu worked with the second string Sunday. So too did, who moved from receiver back to quarterback, where he played the first week of preseason camp before moving to wideout.With 75 players on scholarship entering the season, Taggart knew the Ducks would need to rely on freshmen. He didn't predict so many would play. But to this point they're earning their keep."It's been good," Taggart said. "Guys want to play, they're excited to play, and they come out here and practice their tails off every day. As a coach, you love to see that.": The 7-on-7 period began with Burmeister throwing over the top tofor a 40-yard touchdown. He later zipped short passes to Lovette and, showing off his arm strength on short to intermediate throws. … But the defense scored some wins in the period too.intercepted a passcouldn't secure, Niu broke up a pass intended for a tight end and Lenoir denieda reception.: Niu practiced alongsideas the second tandem of inside linebackers.andcontinued to work together after finishing Saturday's game as the first-string duo. … In the offensive line drill that's always a highlight on Sunday,scored a few points againstheld offpretty well, anddeniedmany scoring chances.