Oregon State quarterback Lyle Moevao threw passes to receivers and ran the offense some during Thursday's practice for the first time since shoulder surgery in March.

The senior completed a long workout throwing passes to receivers running routes Wednesday night. When his arm didn't hurt the next day, he took turns running the second team with Ryan Katz.

Whenever he tried to throw for a long period of time before, his arm hurt the next day.

"It felt really good," Moevao said. "It's getting to the point that the majority of the throws are starting to feel comfortable. The ones that were uncomfortable before, the deeper routes, are starting to come along, too. According to what the coaches and trainers told me there was a lot of zip on it."

Moevao is still a long way from being the full-time backup, coach Mike Riley said. He needs to string together more days like that before he gets a full practice.

"He's doing great," Riley said. "I think he's getting better and better. The doctors are going to check him one more time. And when they say go, to me it's just a matter of strength."

Moevao threw short and medium range passes, was accurate and had the timing down. All his opportunities came when the offense ran against air with no defenders.

"I still have some memory of how the timing goes from when I used to play," Moevao said. "For the most part, though, I still have a lot to work to do."

Riley felt if he keeps this up Moevao could be the backup in the second or third game of the season.