Gazette-Times Reporter

SAN FRANCISCO — Yvenson Bernard has been a fixture in the backfield for the Oregon State football team the last three years, and coach Mike Riley doesn’t want to think about life without him.

The senior tailback will play his final game for the Beavers on Friday evening in the Emerald Bowl against Maryland.

Bernard will put aside the shoulder and knee injuries that have slowed him this season for one last hurrah. And there’s only one thing he wants to accomplish.

“I just want to win,” Bernard said. “That’s it, I don’t care what happens — just win. I want to go out and execute and lead my team to victory.”

Winning the game is important to him, but he hasn’t been all business this week.

Bernard sees the end of this portion of his playing career, and wants to enjoy his last few days.

“It has hit me that this is it, definitely,” Bernard said. “It’s my last game as a Beaver.

“I want to walk out on a good note. I’m sad, but I won’t miss the weather, definitely. I’ll miss the coaching staff and my teammates.”

Bernard has been the centerpiece of the offense for three seasons. The 5-foot-9, 202-pounder from Boca Raton, Fla., has run for more than 1,000 yards in each of those seasons.

Only six other Pacific-10 Conference running backs have accomplished that feat.

He touched the ball 974 times in his career between rushes, receptions and returns. His 4,645 all-purpose yards are the second most in OSU history.

“He’s a great all-around back and we’ll miss him,” quarterback Sean Canfield said. “He makes life for the quarterbacks easier.”

The downside is Bernard’s body felt the pounding that comes with that much work.

He has undergone minor knee surgeries, has had pain from stingers and spent hours in the training room to get ready for the next game. Somehow he keeps going.

“We’ll miss him a ton,” Riley said. “He’s a great player, but he’s a greater person. He’s a wonderful guy and brought a ton to this team.

“If we were smart enough when he was a redshirt freshman he would have been our tailback. There’s no telling how many yards he would have and where he would sit in the all-time Pac-10 record.”

Bernard is second at OSU and 10th on the Pac-10 career rushing list with 3,685 yards. His durability and consistency allowed the Beavers to be a balanced offense.

The team could count on 20-25 carries a game, and sometimes more. His career average is 4.4 yards a carry.

Just as important was his receiving and pass blocking. It will be hard to replace Bernard with all he did and the energy he brought to the field.

“I haven’t thought that much about that, yet,” Riley said. “We get another game with him, and I want that to be our best game with him. I hope he really feels good to play.

“He looks like he’ll be good by then. He’s been running very easily. Then after the game we’ll think about the heir apparents and how that works.

But we are not going to worry about that now.”

Bernard will miss the feeling coming out of the tunnel in Reser Stadium for each home game. He says that was his regular highlight.

However, he’s ready for the future. Bernard will train throughout the winter so he shows well for the NFL scouts. Athletes are graded on speed, strength and agility.

Riley, a former NFL head coach, believes Bernard can play at that level and can overcome a lack of size and speed.

NFL Draft Countdown ranks Bernard as the No. 16 running back available in the April draft.

Bernard proved he can be an every down back the last three years, but at the next level he may fit in better as a third-down back with his receiving and blocking ability.

“I think he’ll get a good look,” Riley said. “Once he gets to camp he’ll be very impressive. He’s an all-around player. He’s smart and as tough as they come. He has an uncanny ability in the hole. He can make a small crease a 5-yard gain. I don’t think I’ve seen a better inside zone runner in my life. What’s going to happen is people are going to question his height and his speed. But once they get him in camp, it’s going to be impressive for them.”