Notebook

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Corvallis Gazette-Times

It’s starting to sink in for Justin Engstrom.

The redshirt freshman walk-on quarterback is one play away from leading the Oregon State football team.

Engstrom heads into Thursday’s season and Pacific-10 Conference opener at Stanford as the backup to Lyle Moevao. He earned that spot with Sean Canfield and Brennan Sim out with shoulder injuries.

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Engstrom said of being in charge of the offense. “I’m realizing I’m right there. I’m pretty excited to have a chance to get in a game. My goal this year was to get in some games.”

The Scappoose High grad had offers to play at the NCAA Division II level, but wanted to stay close to home and see what would happen at a Division I school.

He was a three-year letterman and earned first-team All-Cowapa League as a senior. Engstrom lettered three years in basketball and one in track, earning postseason honors in basketball.

“Things are going smooth,” he said. “There was a lot thrown at me at the start of fall camp. I’m soaking it in pretty well. I feel comfortable.”

Engstrom faced the crash course in quarterbacking this training camp. He redshirted last season and played on the scout team.

He didn’t get much work in the spring because Sim, another walk-on, was considered ahead of him, and coach Mike Riley wanted to look at true freshman Ryan Katz.

However, Riley noticed Engstrom’s strong arm when the 6-foot-5, 208-pounder had a good showing in the spring game, where he completed 10 of 15 passes for 108 yards.

“I think he is doing very well, and would function and run our offense,” Riley said. “I’ve been very, very impressed with that young man with the improvement he has made. I think he has some ability. All he needed was to grow into his body a little bit. In the summer time he got a chest. He started to grow up. I think he’s going to be a good quarterback.”

When it was obvious Canfield wouldn’t be available for at least the first game after camp opened, the pressure was turned up on Engstrom. Quarterback coach Danny Langsdorf and Riley rode him hard in practice.

“They are just trying to get me prepared, and want me to make my reads faster,” Engstrom said. “I need to know all the plays and process it faster.”

When Sim is healthy he’ll be thrown into the mix, and Katz will suit up for games just in case. Until then, he’s on call and ready to go.

Injury update

James Dockery (knee) will have minor surgery after injuring himself weightlifting Wednesday. He will be out at least two weeks after that.

That hurts the team’s depth at cornerback and on special teams. He was on the second string defense and playing on many of the special teams.

“They will scope for a cartilage tear early (this) week,” Riley said. “It’s a bad deal. Dock brings a lot of football playing to us and a lot of passion. The good thing is I don’t think it will be too long. The way it is with those scopes, maybe two weeks after surgery.”

Offensive tackle Brent McNeil hurt his foot again. Riley said he’ll redshirt, but can be used in an emergency due to injuries later in the season. He’s a junior college transfer with three seasons to play two.

There’s still no word from Canfield’s surgeon about his MRI, Riley said. He’s at least out for the first game.

Quizz and Qwan

Jacquizz Rodgers likes to be called Quizz, with two Zs, which makes sense. It’s a short version of his name. However, don’t call James Rodgers Jim Rodgers, or Buck.

Back in Texas his nickname is Qwan. They are Quizz and Qwan. So Riley decided to say he’s playing Q-ball when both brothers are being used on the field at the same time.

Quick hits

The last report Riley received about junior college transfer DE Simi Kuli is that his arrival is still expected soon after Sept. 1. … The only true freshmen playing this season are RB Jacquizz Rodgers, P Johnny Hekker and LS Marcus Perry.