Youth brings energy, humor and a playfulness of sorts to the practice field.
Those qualities have added to the Ducks’ attitudes this season, evidenced by the fact that 16 players have started their first game in an Oregon uniform.
Four additional players had one previous start prior to this season.
“I think it definitely makes more guys compete,” punter Paul Martinez said. “It’s good because in later years, we’ll have more experienced players so that when we’re older the veterans will be more experienced.”
Martinez has inherited the starting punter duties in his first year fresh from high school, beating out two walk-ons. Out of 40 punts this season, 12 have been stopped inside the 20-yard line. Out of his last 17 punts, only two have been stopped inside the 20-yard line.
One of Oregon’s top receivers, sophomore Tim Day, caught eight passes for 112 yards in the first six games of the season, starting five of them.
Defensively, six players are new to their starting roles. Part of the reason is the constant shifting of personnel due to defensive tackle Haloti Ngata’s injury in the first game.
“When you’re able to bring in guys that haven’t really started and haven’t really played, they’re excited,” senior Kevin Mitchell said. “It brings a new energy level to the team and especially the defensive side of the ball. It brings the energy level and the excitement and feeling young again to us old guys.”
That vigor has helped the younger Ducks gain starting roles from some more experienced players, but it also gets the upperclassmen to step up.
“I would hope (the older players push harder),” Oregon head coach Mike Bellotti said. “Because if they’re not, they’re going to be beat out.”
Tackle Junior Siavii and linebackers Reggie Kerney and Anthony Trucks are among the new defensive starters. The three join corners Rodney Woods and Justin Phinisee, as well as end Devan Long, as the defenders who bring new attitude to the defense.
“The biggest thing is just coming in and making sure you don’t fall off too much,” Phinisee said. “Coming off of a winning season, or if you have a winning season and the next time you want to reload, regardless of how many starters you have coming in and replacing people, you want to make sure you maintain that.”
Offensively, tight ends Day and Dan Kause, tailbacks Chris Vincent and Ryan Shaw and wide receivers Demetrius Williams and Kellen Taylor have started only their first or second game in their careers during this season.
Fullback Luke Rowley and guard Ian Reynoso have also started their first games this season. Quarterback Kellen Clemens is the final new starter for the Ducks.
Of the 16 first-time starters, four are freshmen.
“You just want to strive for success, regardless,” Phinisee said.

Tigers, elephants

and giraffes: Oh my!
Seventy-five miles south of Eugene, the Wildlife Safari in Winston had an influx of Ducks on Saturday.
About 20 football players and a half dozen softball players made the bus trip that stopped in Sutherlin to pick up fans who had won a raffle at the Sutherlin McDonald’s.
“That was awesome, getting out there with the kids,” Phinisee said about the trip. “The parents and the kids were out there (at Wildlife Safari) at five o’clock and six o’clock in the morning waiting on us.”
The bus passed giraffes and lions before stopping at the elephant exhibit. Two of the four-ton animals did tricks in front of the players and fans.
“It was nice actually, coming from the inner city I never got to see wild animals like elephants and lions and giraffes,” Phinisee said. “That was cool for me. And the big feast we had at the end.”

Family matters
Junior Ramone Reed is in California with his family after his mother’s death Oct. 13. Teammate David Martin joined Reed in the Bay Area, missing Monday’s practice.
“Hopefully Ramone will be back tomorrow, that’s the word from his teammates,” Bellotti said Tuesday. “I’m more hopeful for Ramone’s mental psyche, and I just hope he’s ready and ready to get on with his life and that we can be a part of the healing process.”

Taylor returns
Upon review of Taylor’s injured left wrist, broken in the Ducks loss to Arizona State, plans for the junior have changed. Bellotti said a week ago that Taylor would be out for six weeks while he wears a cast.
“Kellen Taylor’s out here (today),” Bellotti said at Tuesday’s practice. “He’ll be cleared to play special teams and defense.”