Coaches, players see the areas that need to be worked on

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Gazette-Times Reporter

It was a difficult video review session Friday afternoon for the Oregon State football team.

The Beavers watched all the areas they broke down in during Thursday night’s season and Pacific-10 Conference opener at Stanford so they can learn from them and not let them happen again.

Seeing the many ways the game could have been won was troubling because they lost 36-28 with a chance to tie in the final minute.

“It was just what we knew,” coach Mike Riley said Friday night. “The one thing after it’s all said and done, there’s a lot of good learning. We saw, No. 1, we are very capable. No. 2, we can’t do what we did and win. You can’t give up 200 yards rushing very often and expect to win. We already know that.”

Stanford dominated the defensive front seven of OSU for 210 rushing yards. Running back Toby Gerhart ran for 147 of those yards and two touchdowns.

OSU’s rotation of players to keep them fresh did little to help. Stanford was a more physical team, and that’s a major concern for the next game at Penn State since the Nittany Lions are known as a power team.

“There was a big difference from last year when we played Oregon State,” Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said after the game. “I really think they got the better of us physically last year. We hung in there with them in that regard.”

The Beavers debuted as a finesse team that produced 490 total yards, with quarterback Lyle Moevao throwing for 404. James Rodgers had 159 all-purpose yards.

However, there were two interceptions and five fumbles, one lost. Penalties slowed them with 12 for 100 yards.

“It’s the most telling statistic, turnovers,” Riley said. “Turnovers and rushing yards are telling. They tell a great deal about a game, and they told the tale (Thursday).”

Riley doesn’t want Moevao throwing the ball 54 times like he did. That’s not his team’s style. He wants more of a running game, but Ryan McCants and Jacquizz Rodgers were held to 65 combined yards.

“That’s not where we are best,” Riley said. “It’s too bad we couldn’t get any rhythm. It made it tough for those young backs to get going.”

While the offense showed inconsistency, the biggest concern is the development of the defensive front seven.

Last year’s top-ranked run defense has become a distant memory, along with its aggressive pass rush. There were only two quarterback sacks and seven tackles for a loss.

“Oregon State is going to win a lot of games in the Pac-10 this year,” Harbaugh said. “Historically they catch their stride after about five games so I think we really got them at the right time.”

The Beavers came out of the game healthy. There were only minor injuries to two players — Jacquizz Rodgers with an ankle sprain and cornerback Brandon Hardin with a slight shoulder strain. Neither are expected to miss a game.

“Quizz was hurt on his first play, so I don’t think we’ve see all what he can do yet,” Riley said.

Quarterback Sean Canfield threw Friday for the first time since the middle of training camp due to a sore surgically-repaired shoulder. His surgeon gave him clearance to return to practice, and Riley thinks he’ll play some this season.

“He was out there throwing easily,” Riley said. “He’s in very good sprits. I think he’s excited to be on the road back. He should work range of motion and throw and see how it goes. We won’t hurry him, and I don’t anticipate seeing him playing this week.”

The only other player of those hurt or sick expected back is center Marcus Henderson, who returns after a bout with mono. Offensive guard Jeremy Perry is still questionable on his injured knee.

Word if junior college transfer defensive end Simi Kuli can academically qualify for OSU should be known Tuesday, Riley said. His addition should help the defense.

“We’d like to get him ready as soon as possible,” Riley said. “We’ll see where were he’s at.”

Quick hits

The team will take the weekend off and return to practice Monday. ... The team leaves Thursday morning for Penn State, and travel time will be about 12 hours. Players will have a day to acclimate themselves there before the Sept. 6 game.