Ducks have receivers, even when they don’t

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, September 8, 2015

EUGENE — Quarterback Vernon Adams had a great first game for the Oregon Ducks, even dropping in touchdown passes to Byron Marshall and Bralon Addison in the 62-41 win against Eastern Washington on Saturday.

Marshall had four catches, and Dwayne Stanford and Addison had three each.

And, the Ducks didn’t have wideouts Devon Allen (knee injury), Darren Carrington (suspension) and Charles Nelson (undisclosed reason) or tight end Pharaoh Brown (recovering from a leg injury).

And, true freshman Kirk Merritt and redshirt freshman Jalen Brown went without receptions during their playing time at wide receiver.

Nelson plans to play Saturday at Michigan State.

“We’ve got a bunch of veteran receivers and young guys we trust a lot,” Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost says. “We feel good about that group.”

• The Ducks had 731 yards of offense against EWU, the second-highest total in school history. Oregon put up 772 against Nicholls in 2013.

Saturday’s ground game went for 485 yards on 57 carries (8.5 average).

• Six true freshmen played against Eastern Washington: cornerback Ugo Amadi, running back Taj Griffin, defensive tackle Rex Manu and wide receiver Merritt, plus linebacker Kaulana Apelu and safety Fotu Leiato on special teams.

Touted freshman defensive end Canton Kaumatule is expected to play this season, as well, Helfrich says. Kaumatule suited up but didn’t get onto the field in the opener.