OSU football notebook

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Gazette-Times Reporter

Oregon State tailback Yvenson Bernard's reaction to finding out FieldTurf was going into Reser Stadium on Friday: "That's sweet."

The much-anticipated plan for FieldTurf installation is complete with work beginning in a few weeks. It will take about a month to remove the AstroTurf and then install the softer synthetic surface.

With that timeframe, the annual Oregon State football team's Spring Game on April 30 is being moved to PGE Park in Portland.

The field and labor are being donated by OSU alumni and FieldTurf associates Jim Mendenhall, Steve Coury and Mark Ryan. An anonymous donor will pay for the logos and prep work.

"This is an incredible act of generosity," athletic director Bob De Carolis said. "The new surface will be on a par with our counterparts in (the Pac-10) Conference and across the nation. This is another step in the continuing improvement of Reser Stadium and our athletic facilities."

The surface will be installed on a drain tile that is laid on the existing asphalt. The size of the field will be 78,500 square feet.

Players know about FieldTurf since they have been practicing on it in the Merritt Truax Indoor Center since 2001. It's a multiuse facility used by most OSU teams.

An artificial surface has been at the stadium since 1969. With so many college stadiums going to synthetic surfaces in recent years, the Beavers have been disadvantaged recruiting. Players have shied away from playing on the hard surface.

"I didn't really want to play out there (on AstroTurf), but I have to," Bernard said. "I love this turf right here in the indoor center."

FieldTurf starts with cryogenic rubber as fake grass blades with an infill of silica and sand, which is layered. It creates a surface that feels like moist grass.

Stadiums at all levels are changing to synthetic surfaces for improved safety, reduced maintenance cost and quick conversion between sports.

"AstroTurf is pretty unforgiving on the body, so I'm pretty excited to get the FieldTurf in there," junior tight end Joe Newton said. "The AstroTurf was pretty unique because we were the last team in the Pac-10 to have it. But it's really hard. If you land on it wrong, things are going to tear, pop. All sorts of bad stuff could happen."

Newton wished FieldTurf was installed last year. He fell on his shoulder wrong and missed one game with an injury.

However, he enjoyed the novelty of AstroTurf. Opponents disliked playing in Reser for that reason. Southern California was vocal about it last year.

"There was a slight advantage to having the AstroTurf out there because it takes a while to get use to," Newton said. "But I think the benefits of FieldTurf out-weigh the benefits of AstroTurf."

Practice notes

• Quarterback Ryan Gunderson returned to practice and didn't show any sign of problems after straining his throwing arm Wednesday.

• New offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh brought out his players 30 minutes earlier than the rest of the team to work on agility and drills in each of the first two spring practices.

• The team will practice in pads for the first time today. The first scrimmage with officials will be Friday, with two more April 15 and 22.

• Redshirt freshman Brandon Hughes changed positions from wide receiver to cornerback.

• Senior wide receiver Kevin Swanigan strained a hamstring muscle.

Quick hits

Graduate assistant Keith Heyward-Johnson is now in charge of administration. That allows Scott Turner to be the defensive assistant in the fall. … With so much depth at quarterback, sophomore Brady Schalich left the program. … Sprague High tight end Zack Tatman verbally committed. He's a 6-foot-4, 230-pounder.