Go Beavs: An Oregon State Dynasty

[packersfan4eva]

Congrats on getting the top recruit in the country. What's your recruiting class ranking?

[Emac78]

Thanks. Did you notice that Indiana signed a five-star WR? My QB Todd Jones has a higher overall rating than the one five-star QB Josh McNair that went to Oklahoma, but I guess we'll have to wait and see how they progress.

[Emac78]

#2 Oregon State Beavers
Season Preview

When we last left the Beavers they had just beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl to give Oregon State back-to-back Rose Bowl victories. But last season may be seen as a missed opportunity. The Beavers were one close loss away from playing in the national championship. Now with two one-loss seasons in a row, the naional media has taken notice. Oregon State comes in ranked #2 in the presesason polls. But is that ranking warranted when one considers all that the Beavers lost from their starting quarterback, tailback, wide receiver, many on the offensive line, their best defensive tackle, all of their linebackers, both safeties, and probably their best corner? Only time will tell but we get a feeling that the expectations are dialed down from past years in Corvallis despite the #2 preseason ranking.

Despite the buzz surrounding the new freshman on campus, QB Todd Jones, who by all accounts has proven to be as good as advertised, it will be a challenge for the Beavers to make up for the success of QB Justin Rust who led Oregon State to two consecutive Rose Bowl victories. Many in Corvallis thought the rocket-armed QB, Todd Jones would be the favorite over QB Ty Moore but it does look like Moore has won the starting role. It still remains unclear whether Mike Riley will red shirt Jones or whether Jones will be 2nd-string. Moore has a stronger arm than Rust had, but nowhere near as strong as Jones. However, Moore has been erratic at times, but has a much better understanding of the playbook than Jones at this point. Look for the Beavers to try and spread the field more often this year with some deeper passes down the field.

QB Ty Moore

Moore's top target will likely be WR Brian Horn. The Canadian receiver really played well and made some big plays last year. Most notably the 48-yard TD in the Rose Bowl. Horn is ready to play a more prominant role in the offense as he now becomes the top receiver with Bill Faaeteete gone. In addition, Moore will have WR David Baker on the opposite side, who should compliment Horn with his explosive quickness. Also, look for the the top prospect, five-star WR Bryan Mitchell from Washington, to immediately contribute. Mitchell is by far the quickest out of his routes and will make many big plays for the Beavers in the near future. But we could not talk about the receivers without mentioning the Mackey award winning TE Adam Banks who was by far Rust's favorite target last year. Last season, Banks led the team in receptions (71), receiving yards (946), and touchdown catches (12). Banks is back and will hope to improve on those numbers. Moore should clearly look for him regularly.

WR Brian Horn


TE Adam Banks

One area on offense where Oregon State might struggle is in the running game. The Beavers seem to just be able to rotate anybody back there and they have success. But this year could be different. Oregon State was forced to get a junior college transfer from Modesto, California, HB John Johnson. The power back will give OSU a different look than many will be accustomed to. Johnson will be very unlikely to be making 40 yard runs, but will more likely be three-four yards and a cloud of dust kind of runner. And to further add to the problems is that OSU lost a lot on their offensive line. The Beavers will start two red shirt freshman on the right side in T Bryan Townsend and G Taurean Redd. Both are expected to be solid linemen in the future but might struggle in their first year.

Offensive Starters

Another area for concern for Oregon State is in the front seven. Gone are linebackers Carlos Matthews, Cole Alexander, and Casey Wright. Plus OSU lost DT Lee King who was a powerful run stopper. However, the Beavs do bring back senior Brandon Webb for another season who has already got 25 career sacks as a Beaver. DT Steve Brooks will take over the run stuffer in the middle. Brooks has shown an ability to penetrate behind the line of scrimmage so look for Oregon State to continue being a top defense against the run. Brooks will be joined by DT Al Wilson who should help add to what should be a good pass rush.

DE Brandon Webb

There will be a bunch of new faces in the linebacker group for Beaver fans to get used to, but this will be an athletic bunch of guys with a ton of potential. The #2 overall rated prospect, LB A.J. Morton was moved from MLB to OLB to get him on the field because he was just too talented to have him subbing in. Sophomore MLB Jesse Burns got some playing time last year and will lead the group. They will be joined by red shirt freshman OLB Dustin Bower who is probably the faster of the three. This is a really young group but the potential is there for these guys to make OSU a defense to be nationally feared. But it may take them a while to get up to speed.

Only one player returns in the secondary. Fortunately for the Beavers, it was probably their best defensive back in junior CB Deon Weatherford who had five interceptions last season. Including three of which were retuned for touchdowns. However, Oregon State lost All-Pac-10 FS Scott Vinson, All-Pac-10 SS Courtney Smith, and All-Pac-10 CB John Biggers early to the NFL Draft. Making up that much talent in the secondary will be a challenge but getting four-star SS Damien Cleveland will help as he will start as a true freshman. FS Corey Swan has had game-time experience and filled in nicely in the past. There should be very little drop off at the safety position. But where OSU is concerned is at the other CB poistion. They will rely on junior Nate Richardson. When Richardson got to Oregon State a few years ago, he was a great athlete but the Beavers struggled to find one position he excelled at. Richardson is really athletic but has really struggled in his technique so expect to see him blow coverages and get burned.

CB Deon Weatherford

Defensive Starters & Special Teams

2015 Schedule

1 Bye
2 vs Navy
3 @ Western Michigan
4 Bye
5 vs Arizona State
6 vs #12 UCLA
7 @ Ole Miss
8 @ #20 Cal
9 @ Washington State
10 vs Stanford
11 @ #15 USC
12 vs Washington
13 vs Arizona
14 @ Oregon (Civil War)

[Emac78]

Game of the Week

Louisville (0-0) @ Kentucky (0-0)

Chris: Welcome back fans. It's college football season again. We're here in Lexington, Kentucky for the Battle of the Governor's Cup between Louisville (crowd boos) and Kentucky (crowd cheers) It is the first weekend of college football and there aren't too many games but let's take a look at the rankings.


Chris: Alright, and now let's take a look at the Heisman favorites...

QB Brad Crenshaw JR (Texas Tech)
QB Greg Medlock SR(RS) (Penn State)
QB Ernest Osborn SR(RS) (Texas A&M)
WR Patrick Rackley JR (Clemson)
QB Dylan Smith SR(RS) (Florida)

Chris: Okay guys, before we get to the picks for today's game. Let's get to some predictions that are sure to go wrong. It is pretty clear that a few games are going to have huge national importance as it looks right now. Some of those being Notre Dame-Michigan, UCLA-Oregon State, Ohio State-Penn State, Ohio State-Michigan, and Penn State-Notre Dame. So before it all plays out, who do you think gets to the national title?


Kirk: Well, you two were right on the money last year, picking Notre Dame to win it all. But I have to go with my Buckeyes to get to the national title this year. Remember the name HB Eric Brewer (94 ovr, 99 spd, 99 agi, 99 elu). He is going to have a huge year. Plus junior QB Tucker Simpson (93 ovr) should have a big year. Especially with a playmaking receiver like junior Brian Butler (92 ovr) to throw to. This team is absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball. Then I'm going to go with Nebraska who should have a scary defense with guys like MLB John Eaton (97 ovr) and FS Trent Rome (96). The offense is good too with a bunch of playmakers but losing the Heisman QB Matt Thomas will hurt. But I think junior QB Mike Manigat is more than capable to manage the offense. Buckeyes over the Cornhuskers in the national title.


Lee: Not so fast my friend. First one of the year! Nebraska beats Ohio State in the national championship. The Huskers will have the best defense in the nation, but offensively, this team will be able to score with anybody. With guys like sophomore HB Lance Cooley (88 ovr, 97 spd, 98 agi) and junior WR Jeff Edwards (83 ovr, 98 spd, 98 acc). Huskers over the Buckeyes.

Chris: Interesting guys. I'm going in a different direction. I really like both Ohio State and Nebraska this year, but something tells me that QB Greg Medlock (92 ovr) is going to put the Nittany Lions over the top this year. They have come so close each of the last two years. I just don't see any weaknesses for Penn State. Plus they get Ohio State at home so that is huge. Though they do have to go into South Bend to play Notre Dame, but I think they're better than the Irish. My other team is a little off the radar. I'm going out west to the Pac-10 where I think UCLA can get through the Pac-10 unscathed. The UCLA-Oregon State game may very well decide the conference and who gets to the NC. UCLA has beaten OSU twice in row now. I see no reason they don't do it again with QB Bryan Quinn (97 ovr). Then I have to go with the Nittany Lions defeating the Bruins for the title.

Okay, now we're ready to pick today's game. Go ahead guys. Who are you going with today?

Kirk: This should be an interesting game today. I think the x-factor for today will be Louisville sophomore QB Stan Richardson (76 ovr). He needs to play well for Louisville to win. But Cardinals have an excellent young sophomre WR by the name of Chaz Sullivan (79 ovr, 95 spd) that should have a really big game against an awful secondary for the Wildcats. I expect Richardson to have a great game today, throwing to wide open receivers. Louisville wins convincingly. (crowd boos)

Lee: Yep, yep. Couldn't have said it better myself Kirk. But I do think it will be closer than you thing. (Lee puts on the headgear)

 

GO Cardinals! (crowd boos)

[Emac78]

Week 1


Louisville (0-0) @ Kentucky (0-0)

Cards Bombard Cats With Aerial Assault

Louisville WR Jonathan Wilson with 170 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Lexington, KY - Most of the pundits thought that Louisville would win because of a huge mismatch in the passing game. They thought that sophomore WR Chaz Sullivan would have a huge game. Well, their predicitions proved half true. Sullivan left the game after being hurt on the opening kickoff with a bruise thigh. However, the Cardinals wasted little time despite the injury as QB Stan Richardson found WR Jonathan Wilson who went 60 yards for a TD to give a the Cards a 7-0 barely 30 seconds into the game. On the following drive for Louisville, Richardson hit Wilson again on a 6-yard slant in the end zone to put the Cards in front 14-0. Kentucky finally found some offense when HB Ken Morris broke off a 31-yard run that set up a 41-yard field goal attempt that sailed right.

Though the Wildcats found themselves in the red zone on the enuing possession in the 2nd quarter, but QB Nate Stephens was picked off in the end zone by UL CB Jason Smith. Louisville then went methodically all the way down the length of the field where Wilson threw his 3rd TD pass to his FB to give the Cardinals a 21-0 lead. The half ended with UK missing a 47-yard field goal that was hooked left.

The nightmare continued for Kentucky to start the 3rd quarter when UL FS Blade Dunlap picked off a terrible pass by Stephens and was returned for a pick-six to put Louisville up 28-0. Although Kentucky was finally able to get on the scoreboard when Stephens hooked up with WR Brandon Kemp who broke two tackles for a 40-yard TD to make it 28-7. However, Louisville countered with a third TD reception for WR Jonathan Wilson as he was able to get by two defenders for a 40-yard TD. But Louisville pretty much put it away when UL QB Stan Richardson connected with HB Stephen Benjamin along the sideline who proceeded to hurdle a defender and took it in for a 27-yard TD to give Richardson his 5th TD pass of the night and give the Cardinals a 42-7 lead. It was all academic fromt that point on.

Louisville 42
QB Stan Richardson: 21/26, 307 yds, 5 td, int
HB Nik Holley: 24 car, 86 yds
WR Jonathan Wilson: 9 rec, 170 yds, 3 td (NCAA OPOW)
FS Blake Dunlap: 8 tkl, int, td

Kentucky 7
QB Nate Stephens: 26/38, 252 yds, td, 4 int
HB Ken Morris: 19 car, 86 yds
WR Brandon Kemp: 10 rec, 139 yds, td
DE Matt Wood: 7 tkl, 4 tfl, sk

[b][size=+2]Games of the Week[/size][/b]

[u]Louisville 42
Kentucky 7[/u]

[b][size=+2]Rankings[/size][/b]

1 Notre Dame
2 [b]Oregon State[/b]
3 Penn State
4 Florida
5 Ohio State
6 Texas
7 Oklahoma
8 Nebraska
9 Missouri
10 Clemson
12 UCLA
15 USC
20 Cal

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

QB Brad Crenshaw (Texas Tech)
QB Greg Medlock (Penn State)
QB Ernest Osborn (Texas A&M)
WR Patrick Rackley (Clemson)
QB Dylan Smith (Florida)

[Emac78]

big road game vs. Ole Miss in midseason

what is recruiting looking like?

It is not really that big of a game against Ole Miss. The Rebels aren't really that good but it is by far my toughest non-conference game.

As far as recruiting, I'm going to let the cpu simulate it but still report on things that happen that I think are important. I don't think it is very realistic how successful I've been in recruiting. In real life the Beavers nearly went to the Rose Bowl last year and had the 2nd worst class in the Pac-10 according to the recruiting experts. I don't think their star-system is very creditable but that's a whole different matter. Anyways, maybe it will be more realistic this way. But so far the major guy we're targeting is a five-star OLB from Washington that appears to be choosing between the Ducks, Beavers, and the Trojans.

OLB Buster Rich ***** WA - Top choices- Oregon, Oregon State, USC #1 (2nd ovr)

[Emac78]

G Zach Lee ***** #1 (1st)
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Committed: Florida State

The top prospect in this year's class, G Zach Lee from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has already made his decision by committing with Florida State. "It's been a life-long goal of mine to play for the 'Noles," said Lee. The 6'2" 312 lb guard has the potential to be one of the best interior offensive linemen in the last decade.

[Fox1994]

Damned shame that ND won the NC... At least it was close.

Good job on getting the TOP 2 OVERALL recruits signed... Tennessee had two top-five running backs.

Good luck this season. Hope you go 11-1.

[Emac78]

Game of the Week

#10 Clemson (0-0) @ #13 Wisconsin (0-0)

Chris: Well, I guess we could say that the real season begins today as most teams will kickoff their schedules today. And we have a matchup between two teams that are kind of flying underneath the radar to start the year. Wisconsin has just as good of a chance as Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan to win the Big Ten. While Clemson continues to be one of the more dominant teams in the country. By year's end, the winner of today's game could very well be in the national title conversation. So what's your take on today's game guys?


Kirk: I'm really looking forward to this one. This should be a good one. I just have a feeling that Clemson can win today. The Tigers kind of match the personality of their top receiver, junior Patrick Rackley who when you look at him, he doesn't really pass the eye test. But it is his heart and work ethic that makes him one of the best receivers in the country. Clemson is much the same way. They just find ways to win. I would expect Clemson HB Chuck Jean to have a good game on the ground and help lead the Tigers to victory. (crowd boos)


Lee: Old Clemson has been a great team these last few years but your forgetting one thing Kirk. The Tigers aren't at home where they seem to be invincible. They are here in Camp Randall. (crowd gets riled up) And Clemson is facing one of the most underrated teams with one of the best QBs in the Big Ten, senior Eric Mack (92 ovr) who is smart and has pin-point accuracy. Plus the combination of RBs Geoff Ford (90 ovr) and Ray Henderson (90 ovr) should pose a problem to a questionable front seven of the Tigers. (Lee puts on the headgear)

 

GO WISCONSIN! GO BADGERS! (crowd goes crazy)

[Fox1994]

GO CLEMSON!

[Fox1994]

:bump: x2

[Emac78]

Navy (0-0) @ #2 Oregon State (0-0)

Corvallis, OR - Beaver fans packed into Reser Stadium to open the 2015 season on a Tuesday under a grey, overcast sky, withstanding the cold, heavy showers. Oregon State would not have much of a test as they would face the Naval Academy who is ranked last among all FBS teams. The Midshipmen were unable to get a single first down on their opening possession of the season. However, on the ensuing punt return, OSU WR Brian Horn was stripped of the football which was quickly recovered by Navy.

OSU WR Brian Horn is stripped.

The Midshipmen were in position to take an early lead. Unfortunately Navy decided to pass the ball as QB Gabe Miller threw a ball up that hung too long and was easily picked off by OSU CB Deon Weatherford. Then sprinted all the way for his first pick-six of the season to put Oregon State on top 7-0.

OSU CB Deon Weatherford already with his fist pick-six of the season.

The Midshipmen had looked horrible offensively thus far but finally were able to put a drive together as an inexperienced OSU defense struggled with the option. QB Gabe Miller on a triple option, took it outside, drawing the attention of just about the entire Beaver defense, where Miller pitched it to RB Erik Tepper who eluded a defender, and raced down the sideline to silent Reser Stadium with a 43-yard TD scamper to tie the game 7-7.

Navy RB Erik Tepper scores on a 43-yard TD scamper.

Maybe now the OSU offense could take the field. But QB Ty Moore and the rest of the offense would have to wait as WR Brian Horn made up for his earlier turnover with a 93-yard kick return for a TD to put the Beavers back in front 14-7.

OSU WR Brian Horn with a 93-yard kick return.

After another Navy three-and-out, the Beavers finally got a chance to run an offensive play. It was not exactly an offensive clinic as QB Ty Moore was sacked on the first play. Then he was sacked on 3rd down as Oregon State punted after a three-and-out. However, in the 2nd quarter, the Beavs got back on track on their next possession as Moore threw a pretty pass right on the money to WR Brian Horn who made the catch in stride for a 25-yard TD to put OSU up 21-7.

OSU QB Ty Moore to WR Brian Horn for a 25-yard TD.

On the ensuing possession for the Beavers, Moore connected deep over the middle with the freshman phenom WR Bryan Mitchell. But after taking a single hit, Mitchell was forced to miss the rest of the game with back spasms. Not long after Mitchell had left the field, OSU LG Ray Marshall (87 ovr) had to be helped off the field which fortunately was later determined to be only a knee bruise that could keep Oregon State's best offensive lineman out for two weeks. Despite the injuries, true freshman kicker Richie Waller was able to split the uprights on a 49-yard field goal to put OSU in front 24-7. Then just before halftime OSU CB Deon Weatherford got another interception off of a deep hail mary pass. Even better, Westherford was able to weave forward and return it all the way for another pick-six. But Waller was no good on the extra point attempt so Oregon State only was up 30-7 at halftime.

OSU CB Deon Weatherford with another pick-six.

The Beavers went right back to work in the 3rd quarter with a long, methodical drive which ended with Moore hitting a wide open WR David Baker who stretched out to make the catch on a 10-yard playaction pass for a TD, giving Oregon State a 37-7 advantage.

OSU WR David Baker stretches out for a 10-yard TD reception.

Later in the 4th quarter, Moore connected with TE Adam Banks for a 6-yard TD reception to make it 44-7 OSU.

OSU TE Adam Banks with a 6-yard TD reception.

That would be the last time we saw the starters. The Midshipmen took advantage of playing against the backups as HB Youdlain Brock scored on a 2-yard TD run to make it a more respectable 44-14 final in the end.

Navy 14
QB Gabe Miller: 9/15, 82 yds, 2 int
HB Youdlain Brock: 16 car, 51 yds, td
WR Lamar Johnson: 3 rec, 41 yds
SS Desi Simmons: 8 tkl

#2 Oregon State 44
QB Ty Moore: 10/11, 162 yds, 3 td
HB John Johnson: 20 car, 72 yds
WR Brian Horn: 3 rec, 59 yds, td, krtd, fl
CB Deon Weatherford: tkl, 2 int, defl, 2 td

[LC AAU]

Great win, blew Navy out.

That video in the National Championship game was crazy.

[Emac78]

Week 2


#10 Clemson (0-0) @ #13 Wisconsin (0-0)

Badgers Nearly Blow It

Wisconsin QB Eric Mack scores the go ahead TD on a sneak with :40 left.

Madison, WI - The Badgers opened the season with an impressive drive that was finished when QB Eric Mack threw to sophomore HB Mike Holley who hurdled a defender for a 21-yard TD. The XP was missed so Wisconsin was only ahead 6-0. The Badgers continued to dominate with a pounding run game with HB Geoff Ford as he was able to score on a 4-yard TD run to put Wisconsin ahead 13-0.

Clemson finally got on the scoreboard with a 23-yard chipshot to cut the lead to 13-3. But Wisconsin continued running over the Tigers as they marched the length of the field where Ford found the end zone again on a 1-yard run to put the Badgers up 20-3. Though the Tigers responded with a 40-yard field goal to make it 20-6 at halftime.

The Tigers were right back in the game when QB Morris Parrish passed to HB Chuck Jean on a screen which was taken in for a 14-yard TD to make it a one-score lead of only 20-13 for Wisconsin. Then on the ensuing possession, Mack was picked off by Clemson MLB Nick Hicks who returned it inside the Badger 10-yard line. Morrish was then somehow able to thread the ball into sophomore WR Jeremy Scott for a 5-yard TD to tie the game 20-20. Wisconsin had allowed the Tigers back into the game.

In the 4th quarter, the Tigers had a chance to take the lead with a 53-yard field goal attempt but the ball fell woefully short of the goalpost. Then the Badgers were given an opportunity to take the lead off of a 47-yarder but it was hooked wide left. A 23-yard run by Clemson HB Chuck Jean got the Tigers into the red zone where with 2:00 left in the game, the Tigers took a 23-20 off of a 32-yard field goal. However, Wisconsin QB Eric Mack put together a great two minute drill, hurrying the Badgers down the field. Where at the goal line, Mack took it in himself on a sneak across the goal line untouched for the go ahead TD, 27-23 with :40 left in the game.

On 4th-and-five on their own end of the field, Clemson was in deep trouble but a big gain by HB Chuck Jean on a screen pass set up the Tigers all the way into the red zone with just :12 left in the game. Morrish threw it to the end zone but it was intercepted. Badger fans could take a huge breath of relief.

#10 Clemson 23
QB Morris Parrish: 19/32, 254 yds, 2 td, 2 int
HB Chuck Jean: 16 car, 66 yds, 7 rec, 106 yds, rec td
SS Darrell Brown: 11 tkl, tfl, sk

#13 Wisconsin 27
QB Eric Mack: 22/28, 254 yds, td, int, rush td
HB Geoff Ford: 23 car, 72 yds, 2 td
TE Jimmy Hogan: 6 rec, 71 yds
SS Brian Larson: 8 tkl, int, defl

[b][size=+2]Games of the Week[/size][/b]

Tennessee 47
#6 Texas 34

#14 Florida State 20
Georgia 27

#16 Michigan 17
West Virginia 14

[u]#10 Clemson 23
#13 Wisconsin 27[/u]

[b][size=+2]Rankings[/size][/b]

1 Notre Dame 1-0
2 [b]Oregon State[/b] 1-0
3 Penn State 1-0
4 Florida 1-0
5 Ohio State 1-0
6 Oklahoma 1-0
7 Nebraska 1-0
8 Missouri 1-0
9 Wisconsin 1-0
10 Auburn 1-0
11 UCLA 1-0
12 USC 1-0
19 Cal 1-0

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

QB Brad Crenshaw (Texas Tech) - 489 yds, 7 td, int
QB Greg Medlock (Penn State) - 205 yds, 2 td, int
QB Ernest Osborn (Texas A&M) - 344 yds, 3 td
WR Patrick Rackley (Clemson) - 2 rec, 19 yds
WR Chris Williams (Texas) ^ 13 rec, 245 yds, 3 td

[Emac78]

nice win

btw, how is the QB u just got looking in practice?

I have not really practiced but Jones is a 79 ovr as a freshman. So far, I've got him red shirted.

Great win, blew Navy out.

That video in the National Championship game was crazy.

Yep. Tough beating the team ranked last in the nation.

It sure was a crazy play. I was stunned when they couldn't make the tackle. I guess I won't make fun of the CPU when they throw underneath the coverage on a hail mary anymore.