Gazette-Times Reporter

Defensive graduate assistant Inoke Breckterfield will leave the Oregon State football team after the Sun Bowl because he accepted the defensive line coaching job at Weber State, he said Wednesday.

Breckterfield is finishing up his second season as a graduate assistant. He was a volunteer undergraduate coach the season before.

“It was my third year here, and it was the right time to see what’s out there,” Breckterfield said. “The opportunity came up, I interviewed out there and got the job.”

He has been helping defensive line coach Joe Seumalo with his players. His expertise is in that area, having played defensive line for OSU from 1995-98.

Breckterfield was a third-team All-American and won the Morris Trophy, which goes annually to the Pac-10’s top defensive lineman. He went on to play in the Canadian Football League from 1989-2003.

“I’ve learned a lot from the staff, coach Joe and (Mark) Banker,” Breckterfield said. “I’ve grown as a coach the last two years. I think I’m ready to get my career starter. And Weber is a great place to get it started.”

Coach Mike Riley said he has several volunteer assistants who could fill that position next season, and will decide on that later.

Former OSU defensive players Daniel Drayton, Alan Darlin and Jeff Kruskamp have been assisting the Beavers this season.

JC signing update

No midyear junior college players signed a letter of intent Wednesday, the first day of the signing period, with the Beavers. However, there may be a few later in the early signing period, which ends Jan. 15.

The Beavers have one known verbal commitment from a junior college player in cornerback Conroy Black of Fullerton College in the Los Angeles area. And it’s a soft verbal. They are also looking at others.

The reason Black is not signing now is he may not be ready academically to transfer in the winter and will sign Feb. 4 with the high school athletes or Black may be waiting to see what other offers are out there.

All-star game update

Senior cornerback Brandon Hughes will play in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 17 in Houston. It’s an all-star game that showcases seniors for NFL scouts.

“It’s a cool thing,” Hughes said. “It’s another opportunity for me to put in my life, capitalize on and perform well and represent our school.”

Offensive tackle Andy Levitre is the only other OSU player in a postseason all-star game at this point. He’s playing in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 24 in Mobile.

Quizz update

Running back Jacquizz Rodgers was on his weekly radio appearance and said his scapula is broken after getting his X-ray back, and it’s not only an AC joint sprain as originally thought. That pretty much puts him out for the Sun Bowl.

He got some good news, though, as he was named the Sporting News 2008 National Freshman of the Year, which is the latest honor for him. Earlier this week was named Sporting News Pacific-10 Conference Offensive Player and Freshman of the Year.

Rodgers also became the first freshman to win the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year, and is an Associated Press All-American.

Injury update

Tight end Joe Halahuni (knee) sat out practice after hurting himself Tuesday. An MRI will be done on his previously surgically-repaired knee to see the extent of the injury.

“Hopefully it’s not too serious,” Riley said. “He was just running, made a cut and twisted his knee.”

Defensive tackle Mitchel Hunt (knee) remains out of practice, but Riley says he’ll be available for the Sun Bow. He was hurt in the Oregon game.

Practice schedule

Today’s 2:30 p.m. practice is the last one devoted to the younger players. The Beavers begin practicing a game plan for the Pittsburgh on Friday.

Beaver Huddle cancelled

Friday’s Corvallis Beaver Huddle has been cancelled. The next huddle is scheduled for Jan. 9.