CORVALLIS – During what had been a frustrating stretch of practice Wednesday, Oregon State associate head coach Chad Kauha'aha'a pulled together his two freshman outside linebackers, Shemiah Unutoa-Whitson and Andrzej Hughes-Murray.
"Look around," he recalled saying. "There's nobody else to put in but you guys."
The message was motivational, meant to convey just how important it was that the two newcomers quickly absorb the defensive playbook. It was also factual. Behind Unutoa-Whitson and Hughes-Murray, who were both on scout team for the first few weeks of the season, the Beavers don't have other options.