OSU FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Corvallis Gazette-Times

Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Wheat-Brown’s suspension has been extended through Friday’s Civil War, coach Mike Riley said Tuesday.

The starting junior flanker was originally suspended Thursday for last weekend’s Stanford contest, stemming from an incident during the roadtrip for the Nov. 11 UCLA game. He violated team policy, Riley said.

“He will be suspended for the week, but he’s not kicked off the team,” Riley said.

Wheat-Brown has started 27 games in his career. He has caught 21 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns this season. Ruben Jackson will start in his place for the second straight game.

Bad uniforms

Offensive guard Roy Schuening didn’t hold back when asked about Oregon’s gaudy uniforms. Being from Pendleton and a life-long OSU fan helped develop his opinion.

“They are ugly,” Schuening said. “My favorite is the neon yellow ones. Well, not really. It just makes them look horrible. I would be embarrassed, but whatever. They get money coming in every door. Whatever makes the guys happy who are giving it to them. God, I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those yellow uniforms. I remember when those first came out, it was pretty bad.”

Schedule conflict

The worst part of the Civil War this week for Riley is the short week. The game was moved to Friday afternoon to get on national television and the financial reward.

“I don’t want to do it every year,” Riley said. “I understand the reason for it. It’s a good reason. I wouldn’t want to do it every year, particularly this game. Doing it in six days instead of seven, it’s hard, for sure.”

Pass the jacket

Center Kyle DeVan dressed up in a suit to meet the TV media. He’s a good talker and the cameras love the sound bite. However, he was passed up for Schuening, an Oregon native. DeVan is from California.

The jacket, however, received camera time. Schuening and wide receiver Sammie Stroughter borrowed it to wear over their workout gear.

No Groza Award

Place-kicker Alexis Serna didn’t make the finalist list for this year’s Lou Groza Award, after winning it last season. Auburn’s John Vaughn, Louisville’s Arthur Carmody and Oklahoma’s Garrett Hartley are the finalists.