Corvallis Gazette-Times

The Oregon State football team has gone without a bye for eight weeks, and there are three more before the season ends or there’s a break before a bowl game.

After a long stretch of wear-and-tear, the players say they are healthy enough to finish strong. There have been injuries that caused missed playing time, but they keep coming back.

“It has been a grind for everyone,” tight end Joe Newton said. “It’s been a long season. Football wears on your body, but our team overall has done pretty well. We had some injuries, and players play through pain. That’s part of the game.”

Coach Mike Riley adjusted his practices this season to help. He’s taken out much of the competition and physical aspects.

Significant changes are not letting his first-string offense scrimmage the first-string defense much, and not doing drills that require heavy hitting.

“It gets competitive,” Riley said of the top guys squaring off. “But we still want speed in practice. And these kids are going to play more football this season than they every have in their life. Hopefully, it will be 14 games. They have to be aware of that. My goal is to have them prepared and fresh for the game.”

That leaves the scout teams to keep OSU’s skills sharp. While they are working hard, the redshirt players are not as fast or strong as those on the first team, yet, so an edge may be lost by the starters.

Coaches remind players of technique even more to counteract that problem.

“I’m enjoying coach Riley’s style of practice this year,” center Kyle DeVan said. “It allows people who are banged up, and we have a lot on this team, to not take the hits we did last year. The speed of the game might slow down because they are redshirts, but they are trying hard to give us a good look.”

This situation was partially self-inflicted. The bye came early due to scheduling, this is the first season of permanent 12-game schedule and the special 13th game at Hawaii was a late addition.

Riley knew this was going to be a challenge, but that’s why he wanted the longest regular season in OSU history.

“I like the games,” Riley said. “I like the 12-game schedule, and adding the Hawaii game is fine. The key to maintaining the focus is the struggle.

“We’ve continued to talk about that — maintaining discipline of what you are doing. We just have to work hard and be smart, and get them to the game.”

Injury updates

WR Ruben Jackson (ankle) returned to practice after missing three games and was at full speed. ... OL Jeremy Perry (foot, knee) was at full speed. ... RB Yvenson Bernard (ankle) took it easy, but practiced.