CORVALLIS - Jacquizz Rodgers was held out of the Oregon State football team's scrimmage Saturday afternoon.

The star tailback for the Beavers knows the offense and didn't need the work, coach Mike Riley said. Riley also wants to keep him healthy through training camp.

Redshirt freshman Jordan Jenkins and true freshmen Jovan Stevenson and Ashton Jefferson received extra carries with Rodgers out.

"The bright spots were the hard running of all three running backs," Riley said. "I love what I saw there. That was a good sign for the Beavers. We need someone to step forward, and three guys played hard (Saturday) who can help us."

Jenkins led the way with 11 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown. Stevenson had eight carries for 57 yards, but was slowed by a sore Achilles' tendon. Jefferson carried the ball 13 times for 47 yards.

One of the young running backs is needed to become the backup and potential starter if Rodgers is hurt during the season. Regular backup Ryan McCants is still recovering from offseason knee surgery and has yet to practice.

Stevenson has the inside track to be the backup with the way he was used. He worked with the first string in the scrimmage.

Jefferson is a redshirt candidate, while Jenkins can be an emergency No. 3 back. Jefferson was used late, mostly with the youngest players.

"I'm just out here to contribute any way I can," Stevenson said. "If I can be a part of that backfield, I'm going to give it everything I got. Quizz can't do it alone. We need someone to help him."

Versatile offense

With Rodgers and his brother, flanker James Rodgers, out resting, the offense focused on other players. Finding production beyond them is vital to the offense.

The Rodgers brothers accounted for 44 percent of the offensive yards last year. And the offense stalled when they were hurt at the end of the season.

Receivers Damola Adeniji and Jordan Bishop had strong games. Adeniji caught three passes for 35 yards, while Bishop had two catches for 26 yards and a touchdown.

"It's huge," quarterback Sean Canfield said of diversifying the offense. "The two of them accounted for a lot of our offense. Going into camp, it's a matter of someone stepping up."

So far the overall group has done well. Now it's a matter of doing it in a game against someone other than OSU's defense.

No injuries

There were no injuries during the scrimmage, which was a victory itself for the Beavers. They have an injury list of more than 25 players.

The only player not already hurt or rested for the day who didn't play was defensive end Taylor Henry. He was sick.

Roster move

Freshman linebacker Reggie Williams was removed from the 20-man camp walk-on roster due to a leg injury, but will return after school starts. He was replaced by tight end/linebacker Devon Kell from Hawaii.