TGS 2007 Football Preview Bonus: Oregon State Beavers

OREGON STATE—Rescue-wise, it might have been the football equivalent of Apollo 13. We’re talking about Oregon State’s gridiron fortunes last season, and HC Mike Riley’s job status in particular, neither of which appeared too promising after the Beavers broke a slow 2-3 from the gate. But while many were busy preparing blindfolds for Riley (left) and his staff, something happened on the way to the gallows. The Beavers effectively converted a 7-10 split by winning 8 of their next 9, including a rousing 33-31 home upset win over powerhouse USC, a wild “Civil War” triumph over hated Oregon, and a thrilling 39-38 comeback win over Missouri in the Sun Bowl. Suddenly, Riley was presiding over a team with the second-most wins (10) in Beaver history, and any OSU fans still bent on complaining had to turn turned their attention to HC Jay John and the struggling basketball program instead. Riley, indeed, had dodged the proverbial bullet.

It’s the nature of college sports these days that Riley could just as easily find himself back in the soup if OSU reverts to the sort of inconsistent form that got him in trouble in the first place, but we doubt that happens in the fall. Sixteen starters return from last year’s turnaround team, including big-play offensive weapons RB Yvenson Bernard (left, running through Stanford's defense last November; 1307 YR in ‘06) and WR-PR Sammie Stroughter, who flashed Tim Brown-like form as a receiver (74 catches) and lethal punt returner (3 TDs!). And the Beav fans who were clamoring for southpaw Sean Canfield to supplant now-graduated Matt Moore at QB will finally get their wish. With more mobility than Moore, Canfield ought to do a better job dodging pass rushers, although it’s hoped he won’t have to do so with 4 starters returning along the OL. He’ll have plenty of receiving targets at his disposal, as in addition to Stroughter, Anthony Wheat-Brown (who missed 6 games LY) is an accomplished receiving threat, although the departure of clutch Joe Newton leaves some big shoes to be filled at TE. Meanwhile, former Groza Award-winning PK Alexis Serna (when is he going to graduate, anyway?) returns for his senior season after connecting on 62 FGs the past 3 years.

The stop unit also has Riley and d.c. Mark Banker excited with 8 starters back in the fold. Remember, LY’s voracious platoon led the Pac-10 in sacks with 47 and recorded a whopping 106 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, accounting for a nation’s best 528 yards in losses. The front 7 returns plenty of experience, including pass-rush ace DE Dorian Smith (9 sacks LY) and a trio of starting LBs that has prompted some local scribes to steal a label long associated with Penn State (many now referring to OSU as “Linebacker U”). The best of those is heat-seeking OLB Derrick Doggett (shown at right leading a swarm of Beav defenders vs. UCLA last November), who along with fellow srs. Alan Darlin & Joey LaRoque accounted for a combined 257 tackles (34 of those for a loss) LY. Another 3 starters return in a 2ndary that cut 81 ypg in pass defense from ‘05, although the leadership graduated SS Sabby Piscitelli provided won’t be easy to replace.

Summary...Perhaps the burden of greater expectations, something last year’s Beavers didn’t have to concern themselves with, will prove an albatross of sorts for this OSU edition. But if it doesn’t, the pieces are in place for another run to a good bowl berth (BCS, anyone?), especially if QB Canfield is as good as advertised.

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