Canfield will undergo an MRI today, could miss Saturday’s game

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Gazette-Times Reporter

The latest defeat for the Oregon State football team may have taken a bigger toll than just in the standings.

A potentially bigger problem has arisen with injuries suffered in a 24-3 Pacific-10 Conference loss to Southern California on Saturday night in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Several Beavers were hurt, two significantly enough to undergo MRIs today.

Sophomore quarterback Sean Canfield injured his left shoulder, which is his throwing one, at the end of the game. It occurred when he tried to slide under a tackle after a scramble.

Senior defensive end Dorian Smith is the other major player impacted. He sprained his left knee in the second half and has been in a brace since.

Coach Mike Riley said Canfield is questionable for this Saturday’s home game against Washington and doubts he’ll practice until late in the week.

“They don’t know the extent of it, yet,” Riley said Sunday night. “That’s why it will get checked out. They do these MRIs routinely now. But I’d be shocked if he is ready to practice Tuesday.”

Early reports had Canfield being hit in the head and the shoulder. It was an awkward looking hit and fall. A late-hit penalty was called on the play.

After watching the video, Riley said Canfield’s arm was caught under him in a bad position and the defender’s weight on him made it worse.

“He could have gotten down a little earlier, and (the hit) was a little late,” Riley said. “It was just one of those unfortunate plays. And I’m concerned in both the long-term and short-term. It’s questionable about the game considering his soreness.”

The injury comes at an inconvenient time as Canfield had started to settle into the offense as a first-year starter.

He’s cut back on his interceptions, throwing one in the last four games. And it was because he was hit on the throw against the Trojans.

“I’m sorry he got hurt,” Riley said. “I thought he maintained some poise.”

Doing that wasn’t easy during the USC game. He was sacked nine times and was pressured throughout the night.

If Canfield can’t play this Saturday, sophomore Lyle Moevao will start, Riley said. He battled Canfield for the starting job until after the season began.

“It was good for him to play early in the year,” Riley said of Moevao. “He has played more than most of our backup quarterbacks in the past. We have confidence in him. If he is the starter this week, we should be able to carry on and play better than yesterday.”

Smith’s injury may be more serious. Riley hesitated to say more than calling it a sprain until he knew more.

The rest of the injured players should be able to play. They are cornerback Tim Clark (back), wide receiver Shane Morales (knee), defensive tackle Gerard Lee (hamstring) and running back Matt Sieverson (stinger).

Tailback Yvenson Bernard sat out the game to rest a sprained left shoulder from the previous week. He should return against Washington, Riley said.

“He’ll practice Tuesday with no contact,” Riley said. “The trainer gave me a positive report. He should be good to go by Thursday.”