Sophomore quarterback may still split time with Moevao

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Gazette-Times Reporter

A decision on a starting quarterback for the Oregon State football team is drawing closer, but coach Mike Riley won’t make it official, yet.

Sophomore Sean Canfield will start his second game of the season, a Thursday evening nonconference contest in Cincinnati.

The difference this week is he won’t automatically be pulled in the second quarter, but sophomore Lyle Moevao will still play.

Riley will make a change when he feels Canfield needs relief or it’s a good time to get Moevao in.

“Sean will start and Lyle will play, but we don’t have parameters when that’s going to be,” Riley said Sunday afternoon. “It’s going to be what we want to do at that time of the game.”

Canfield started the season opener against Utah and Moevao came in the second quarter, according to a predetermined plan. Canfield came back out in the third quarter and left early in the fourth when the game was decided.

He completed 8 of 19 passes for 87 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Moevao was 3-for-9 for 32 yards and an interception.

“Both of them made some good plays, and both of them had some stuff they would like to have back,” Riley said. “I want to keep them both going, but I don’t want to be set by a quarter system right now.”

Canfield will get most of the turns with the first string offense in practice this week. There will be less time working with the third string, so Moevao will still have enough practice time to be ready for Cincinnati.

Stroughter update

Standout wide receiver Sammie Stroughter remains with the team after taking 18 days off during training camp to deal with personal issues.

He’ll practice with the offense this week, after a week of being on the scout team, and be one of the 76 players traveling with the team this week. It’s still day-to-day if he’s ready to play this year.

“We are playing it by ear,” Riley said.

Polk returns

Last year’s backup tailback Clinton Polk rejoined the team Sunday to begin practice for the first time this season. The senior had been working on his academics to be eligible.

Polk had 63 carries for 256 yards and a touchdown last year. He creates depth at tailback behind Yvenson Bernard with Matt Sieverson and Polk as the top options.

Travel schedule

The team practices at 2 p.m. today and 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, then leaves for Cincinnati that afternoon, a day earlier than usual for away games. They Beavers are able to do that since school has not started.

“We can get there early and practice, and take a breath,” Riley said. “You don’t get acclimated to time (change) or weather, but we get our feet under us.”

More walk-ons

The Beavers were allowed to expand their roster after the first game, per NCAA rules. The five walk-ons who joined the team are defensive lineman Evan Hull, wide receiver Ryan Hadden, linebacker Eric Rider, wide receiver Shawn McGarity and linebacker Joshua Parish.

Hull is a sophomore who played at West Albany High.

Lingering injury

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Kyle Brown’s elbow injury from the first week of training camp hasn’t allowed him to practice. He’s doubtful for this week.

“Kyle is not ready,” Riley said. “I wish I could tell you when he’ll be back. It’s been longer than I anticipated already.”