Go Beavs: An Oregon State Dynasty

[Emac78]

QB Ty Moore from Biddeford, ME. (left) MLB Jesse Burns from Santee, CA. (right)

Corvallis, OR - Oregon State came in with the 47th best recruiting class according to the recruiting gurus. There is nobody in this class that really stands out, but the Beavers did shore up some future needs with four-star QB Ty Moore and four-star MLB Jesse Burns. Moore, a QB from back east in Biddeford, Maine surprised head coach Mike Riley with a commitment late in the season. It looked like Moore would end up at Northwestern but after the Civil War visit, he decided to be a Beaver. Moore has exceptional intelligence and a very good arm but he does need to work on his accuracy. With QB Bryan Rossner getting ready for the NFL, the position is open but look for Moore to be red shirted behind QBs Justin Rust and Phil Rodgers. With MLB Paul Jones graduating and not a whole lot of depth at the position, Riley knew that MLB was a position that the Beavers needed to recruit for. In comes four-star MLB Jesse Burns from Santee, California. Burns could very well play this year but will likely red shirt behind MLB Casey Wright. Burns has shown more speed at the MLB position than the Beavers have seen for a while. This might not be the most exciting class and could very well be a disappointing class compared to the recent classes the Beavers have had, but Oregon State is solid at most positions, leaving very few openings.

Oregon State Commitments

QB Ty Moore 4*: Biddeford, ME #16
QB Kevin Little 3*: Vallejo, CA #26
HB Terrence Horner 3*: Citrus Heights, CA #70
HB Derrick Andrews 3*: Waimea, HI #71
HB DJ Phillips 2*: North Marysville, WA #81
WR Mark Kennedy 3*: Arcadia, CA #99
WR John Clark 2*: Temple City, CA #212
WR Derrick Dalton 2*: Port St. Lucie, FL #225
WR John Porter 2*: Orangeburg, SC #234
WR David White 2*: Burley, ID #246
C John Sutherland 1*: San Gabriel, CA #75
DE Patrick Matthews 2*: Benbrook, TX #158
MLB Jesse Burns 4*: Santee, CA #16
CB Adam Holt 2*: Trenton, MI #82
SS Travis Boyd (JUCO) 2*: Lima, OH #37
ATH Derek Holmes 3*: Medford, OR #37
ATH Xavier Morris 2*: Cleburne, TX #90

[Emac78]

QB Justin Rust JR(RS) 84 ovr. I'll have a season preview up soon. There will be some new faces at some key postitions but overall it is really a solid team. I don't see any glaring weaknesses at first glance.

[Emac78]

CAPs Report

HB AJ Butler 5* #1 (Toy Soldier)
Corvallis, OR
Committed: LSU

It looked like Butler would be a Seminole early in the recruiting process but after his visit to LSU he continued to become further infatuated with the Bayou Bengals. He would finally make his decision after a visit by head coach Les Miles.


HB Kevin Fox 5* #2 (Fox1994)
Las Vegas, NV
Committed: Michigan

This came as no surprise as Michigan seemed his destination of choice during the entire process. Now Fox will be fighting for a starting role.


WR Courageous Campbell 4* #5 (jayroddog6)
South Bend, IN
Committed: Texas A&M

Finally, Campbell officially chose Texas A&M.



CB Kyle Garvella 5* #1 (raiderfan7)
Los Angeles, CA
Committed: Nebraska

Garvella made his final choice to go to Nebraska after what he described as a tough decision, choosing the Cornhuskers over Cal and UCLA.

[Emac78]

#18 Oregon State Season Preview

When we last left the Beavers, they had just defeated Pittsburgh handily in the Sun Bowl for their third consecutive Sun Bowl victory. But Beaver Nation is looking for something bigger this year than the Sun Bowl. There is already talk of the Rose Bowl in Corvallis with a perception that this will be a rebuilding year for USC. Only time will tell whether this is true. After an 11-2 season last year with the only losses coming against Arizona State and USC, it was disappointing for the Beavers to only be in the Sun Bowl. But how could Beaver fans believe that a team that will have to replace both QB Bryan Rossner and HB Marvin Quinn be thinking about a BCS bowl?

There has been talk all spring about who would replace Rossner. Not only did Rossner graduate but so did QB Ryan Katz so going into the spring it looked like the job was up in the air for either fourth-year junior QB Justin Rust or senior QB Phil Rogers. But it would be Rust, the Oregon native from Santa Clara who won the starting job. Rust is a pure pocket passer with good accuracy but might lack the arm strength to make plays down the field. If the Beavers are going to do anything this year, Rust is going to have to learn quickly. That might be too much to ask for a QB that has zero career snaps.

In addition to Rossner graduating, so has HB Marvin Quinn. Rossner and Quinn have been a staple of the Oregon State offense the last few years. However, Quinn was plagued with injury troubles and inconsistent performance. But not only is Quinn gone, but so is HB Jacquizz Rodgers and HB#37. So the Beavers will look to fifth-year senior HB Roy Nolen to run the ball. Nolen also has exactly zero career plays but is very fast. The speedster will give Oregon State more speed at the tail back position than the Beavers have not seen since probably Steven Jackson, but Nolen is probably faster. Also, Nolen has a wicked spin move. "He's been making us look silly out here," said OSU OLB Carlos Matthews. "I think I've got him in my hands. He does that spin move and he's gone."

"Nolen is going to turn some heads this year," Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said about his tail back.

WR Alex Whitehead will be QB Justin Rust's favorite target. (top) WR Brian Herring should continue to make big plays. (bottom)

The new QB Justin Rust and new HB Roy Nolen will look to their receivers for leadership as it will be senior WRs Alex Whitehead and Brian Herring that will lead this offense this year. Whitehead has proven to run quick, precise routes. Look for him to be Rust's favorite target as the season unfolds. Herring has been the Beavers' big play threat, but will that role continue without Rossner throwing the bombs. Rust lacks the arm strength that Rossner possessed. But look for Rust to get Herring involved. In addition to these two outstanding receivers, fourth-year junior WR Bill Faaeteete and fifth-year senior WR Marcus Sullivan will also be viable targets. It is unclear who will win that slot postition but either will be a good choice. Also another favorite target for Rust will probably be security blanket sophomore TE Adam Banks who is very athletic for a tight end. Banks actually led the team with 62 receptions last year.

But if Rust is going to find receivers to throw to and Nolen is to break some big runs, it will come down to the play of the offensive line. This might be the best offensive line the Beavers have had in the last few years. It is made up of all upper classmen which is usually a good thing. Fifth-year senior RT Jason Sparks is the anchor of this line and is joined on the right side with junior RG Justin Smith. These two should help Nolen out quite a bit. The left side is not quite as good but is solid with junior LT Dennis Herron and LG Andy Rust holding their own. The weak spot is probably with C Eric Reese but he should be enough to make this a very formidalbe offensive line.

Offense

QB Justin Rust JR(RS) 84
HB Roy Nolen SR(RS) 86
FB Marshall Fuqua SR(RS) 68
WR Alex Whitehead SR(RS) 90
WR Brian Herring SR(RS) 88
WR Bill Faaeteete JR(RS) 85
WR Marcus Sullivan SR(RS) 85
TE Adam Banks SO 81
LT Dennis Herron JR 83
LG Andy Rust JR(RS) 80
C Eric Reese JR(RS) 77
RG Justin Smith JR 85
RT Jason Sparks SR(RS) 88

Look for DE Brandon Webb to emerge as the season progresses.

So the offense looks pretty solid as long as Rust and Nolen get up to speed but it could be this defense that will make this team very tough to beat for anybody. It is difficult to find any hole in this defense. Opposing teams will find it very tough to run the ball up the middle against junior DT Lee King and fifth-year senior DT Mark Crum. Two outstanding defensive tackles to bottle up the middle. It will be sophomore DE Brandon Webb who the Beavers will turn to look for pressuring the passer. Look for him to emerge as a great presence as the season progresses.

The line backer corps looks equally solid. The loss of MLB Paul Jones to graduation does hurt but OLBs Carlos Matthews and Cole Alexander have stepped up their game. MLB Casey Wright should be able to fill in for Jones without any trouble. These three should give the Beavers a solid front seven that will be very difficult to run against. Also, Matthews and Alexander also have enough speed to make plays in coverage.

CB John Biggers is back from his injury and looks to fill in for the departed CB Mike Mayes.

Losing CB Mike Mayes early to the draft did hurt but many seemed to have forgotten that the young, outstanding five-star prospect from last year, sophomore CB John Biggers was injured very early in the season. Biggers is already looking like a star. Opposing QBs are going to have a difficult time finding open receivers with fifth-year senior CB Matt McDaniel on the other side. Fourth-year junior FS Scott Vinson will look to fill the big shoes of FS Matt Arnold. Vinson and junior SS Courtney Smith should be solid safeties in the defensive backfield.

Defense

DE Brandon Webb SO 86
DE Dan Sanders SR(RS) 83
DT Lee King JR 87
DT Mark Crum SR(RS) 87
OLB Carlos Matthews JR 87
MLB Casey Wright JR(RS) 84
OLB Cole Alexander JR(RS) 86
CB John Biggers SO 89
CB Matt McDaniel SR(RS) 83
FS Scott Vinson JR(RS) 86
SS Courtney Smith JR 85

Special Teams

K Reggie Smith JR 74
P Nick Carpenter JR 84

Schedule

1 Bye
2 at #10 Wisconsin
3 vs FCS Midwest
4 vs UL Lafayette
5 vs #20 Arizona State
6 vs #22 UCLA
7 Bye
8 at #23 Cal
9 at Washington State
10 vs Stanford
11 at #5 USC
12 vs Washington
13 vs Arizona
14 at Oregon (Civil War)

[Emac78]

Where did you find those for the teams?

Great job with the Caps.

Where did I find what?

[Emac78]

CAPs Report

HB AJ Butler (Toy Soldier) 4th HB (RS)
Corvallis, OR




HB Kevin Fox (Fox1994) 2nd HB
Las Vegas, NV


WR Courageous Campbell (jayroddog6) 10th WR (RS)
South Bend, IN



CB Kyle Garvella (raiderfan7) 2nd CB
Los Angeles, CA

[Emac78]

[b][size=+2]Preseason Top Ten[/size][/b]

1 Clemson
2 Ohio State
3 Penn State
4 Notre Dame
5 USC
6 Texas
7 Tennessee
8 Nebraska
9 Oklahoma
10 Wisconsin
[b]18 Oregon State[/b]
20 Arizona State
22 UCLA

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

QB Sam Concepcion JR (Virginia Tech)
QB Matt Thomas JR(RS) (Nebraska)
QB Joe Davis JR (Notre Dame)
QB Lance Porter SR(RS) (LSU)
QB Gavin Campbell SR (Wisconsin)

[Emac78]

Game of the Week

Louisville (0-0) at Kentucky (0-0)

Chris: I assure you it really is football season but this is the best matchup we could find for the opening week of college football. It's the Governor's Cup. A major in state rivalry between Louisville... (Crowd boos!) and Kentucky. (Crowd cheers!) Both of these teams appeared to be breaking into that next category of success. Especially Louisville. (Crowd boos!) But Louisville and Kentucky have both really struggled lately. A win over the in state rival though would be a great start for either squad. I welcome in Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso.

Lee: Thank God. It's football season again!

Chris: Alright coach. Well, how do you guys see this one playing out today?

Kirk: These fans aren't going to like it but I've got to go with the Cardinals today. (Crowd boos!) Louisville brings in a surprisingly explosive offense with red shirt senior QB Charlie Johnson leading the way. But also HB Antoine Ashley and WR Bobby Sapp are some excellent playmakers. But where I really think the difference lies is with the Cards' defense. Lou FS John Christensen is a great safety and that defense will stop the Wildcats all day today. This one won't be close. (Crowd boos!)

Lee: Uh huh. I agree 100 percent Kirk. (Crowd continues to boo.) But if Kentucky is to have any chance the junior QB Nick Brooks is going to have to play a whale of a game to lead the Cats to a victory. I say that won't happen and I'm with you. Louisville wins big. (Lee puts on the Cardinal headgear and waves at the crowd as they continue to boo.)

[Emac78]

facing a Heisman candidate in your first game, shuld be tough

I'm not scared. After we're done with the Badgers, he won't be a candidate any longer. I better not get over-confident though.

[Emac78]

Week 1

Kentucky Takes Governor's Cup With 24-11 Win Over Louisville

UK FS Larry Fulton ends any last minute Louisville comeback with his 2nd interception with 2:18 left in the game.

Lexington, KY - This was an opening game of the week that was more suited for basketball. Both teams showed why they are unranked and why ESPN usually chooses top 25 teams for Gameday. But this was the best matchup of the week according to ESPN. It was really apparent that it was the first week of college football as both teams looked unprepared. Especially Louisville, who quickly found themselves down 14-0 at the end of the half. It would not get any better for the Cardinals in the second half when UK QB Nick Brooks hit WR Robert Veach in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown to put the Wildcats ahead 21-0 . Finally, the Cards put a drive together, but could only manage a 33-yard field goal to put them on the scoreboard. It looked like Louisville woke up midway in the fourth quarter when UL HB Billy Atkinson broke across the end zone. Then UL HB Antoine Ashley score the two-point conversion to make it a ten-point game, 21-11. However, Kentucky would drive the length of the field and score on a 28-yard field goal to make it 24-11 with 3:35 remaining. Then Louisivlle's hopes were dashed when UL QB Charlie Johnson threw his third interception to UK FS Larry Fulton with 2:18 left in the game. Fulton was named NCAA defensive player of the week with his two interception performance and the Wildcats were the victors of the Governor's Cup.

Louisville 11
QB Johnson: 18-29, 183 yds, 3 int
HB Ashley: 15 car, 48 yds
WR Ramsey: 4 rec, 49 yds
SS Harley: 6 tkl, int

Kentucky 24
QB Brooks: 24-40, 253 yds, 2 td, int
HB Taylor: 27 car, 79 yds, td, 3 rec, 24 yds
WR Veach: 5 tkl, 2 int, defl (NCAA def. player of the week)

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

[color=blue]Louisville 11
Kentucky 24[/color]

[b][size=+2]Top Ten[/size][/b]

1 Clemson
2 Ohio State
3 Penn State
4 Notre Dame
5 USC
6 Texas
7 Tennessee
8 Nebraska
9 Oklahoma
10 Wisconsin
[b]18 Oregon State[/b]
20 Arizona State
22 UCLA
23 Cal

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

QB Sam Concepcion JR (Virginia Tech)
QB Matt Thomas JR(RS) (Nebraska)
QB Joe Davis JR (Notre Dame)
QB Lance Porter SR(RS) (LSU)
WR Brian Butler FR (Ohio State)

[Emac78]

Game of the Week

#18 Oregon State (0-0) at #10 Wisconsin (1-0)


Other Game of the Week

#9 Oklahoma at #21 BYU
Kirk: OU Lee: OU

Chris: Welcome back to Madison for a true test for both teams today. The Beavers of Oregon State will start their season off in unfriendly territory here in Madison. (Crowd goes nuts.) Wisconsin is only a few years removed from an unlikely BCS championship birth a few years ago but with a week one 49-3 thrashing of UNLV, fans here are thinking BCS again. The stars of both of these teams from previous years are gone. The likes of Badger HB Will Pittman, OSU HB Marvin Quinn, and OSU QB Bryan Rossner are getting ready for the NFL. But Wisconsin still has senior QB Gavin Campbell who is coming off of a spectaular year for the Badgers. The last time these two teams met, Oregon State won in convincing fashion at the Alamo Bowl four years ago. (Crowd boos.) These fans here will want to see a different outcome today. So guys, who are you taking today?

Kirk: I'm still not completely sold on this Badger team. (Crowd boos.) But I am even less sold on this Beaver team. I mean they are starting a completely green QB and HB in Madison. I'm sorry, but the Beavers are in for a rude awakening. This is going to be a loud stadium today. I don't see any way that a QB with zero starts can come in here and expect to win on opening day especially against one of the best QBs in the nation. The Badgers win big today. (Crowd cheers.)

Lee: It is hard to go against these fans and it really does look bleak for the Beavers today. But not so fast! Let me say this right now in front of all of these fans. I hate to be the one to tell you this but the Badgers might be the most over-rated team in college football this season. (Crowd boos!) They are shaky up front on both side of the ball. They don't have anybody that really scares me at any skill position and their defense is average. But they do have QB Gavin Campbell and he is a great quarterback. So who do I go with in this one? (Lee puts on the Benny headgear and waves at the crowd.) Go Beavs!

[Emac78]

#18 Oregon State (0-0) at #10 Wisconsin (1-0)

Madison, WI - A very challeging way to start the season for the Beavers. Camp Randall Stadium on opening day is never an easy place to play especially when the Beavers' starting QB and starting HB have zero starts. The Badger faithful were going to make it difficult for Oregon State from the opening kick off. Oregon State has a long history of not doing well in the opening games on the road. So this was definitely an early season test. The last time the Beavers were on this stage in Big Ten country was against Penn State five years ago which OSU lost in a very close game. A win for the Beavers would be huge and a sign of what might be to come for Oregon State the rest of the season.

The Beavers must have felt right at home with heavy showers coming down all game long. However, the rain had no effect in slowing down the Badgers' opening offensive drive, and neither did the Beavers' defense. Wisconsin was running on all cylandars to start the game, taking it the length of the field. The OSU defense could not get off the field on third down and finally the impressive opening drive ended when preseason Heisman Watch list QB Gavin Campbell threw to FB Bryan Rice in the flat which he took in for an 11-yard touchdown to put the Badgers on top 7-0 early.

Badger QB Gavin Campbell could not be stopped on the opening drive.

The Beavers took the field with an energized Camp Randall facing them. Tough way for OSU QB Justin Rust to start his collegiate career. After a short run by new HB Roy Nolen, Rust stepped up in the pocket and connected with TE Adam Banks for a 15-yard gain. The simple completion seemed to calm Rust down as he looked fantastic on his first collegiate drive. Rust would hit WR Brian Herring on a crossing route, where the playmaking receiver slipped by a tackle and took it for a 26-yard gain, inside the red zone. Rust took advantage of the opportunity, throwing a strike to WR Bill Faaeteete, splitting the zone for a 13-yard touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

Not a bad way for OSU QB Justin Rust to start his collegiate career with a 13-yard touchdown strike to WR Bill Faaeteete on his opening drive.

As bad as the Beavers' defense looked on Wisconsin's first possession, they looked equally as good on the next possession, forcing a Badger three and out when Campbell was sacked by OSU DE Dan Sanders on third down. As the first quarter came to an end, the OSU offense was still in rhythm.

OSU HB Roy Nolen would make a nice run to the outside, juking by a defender in the backfield, and spinning by another on his way for a 16-yard gain to the Badger 6-yard line. This is a new look tail back for the Beavers. An fast, agile back compared to Quinn who was more of a quick, slashing, bruiser. Nolen would finish off the drive, getting into the end zone from three yards out to give the Beavers a 14-7 lead.

OSU HB Roy Nolen gets across the end zone from three yards out.

However, it would not take long for the Badgers to strike back when Campbell threw to deep to the sideline where WR Curtis Burns was able to get in front of OSU CB Matt McDaniel, make the catch and get into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown to tie the game 14-14. It was becoming apparent that Campbell was not even testing the other side of the field with outstanding young OSU CB John Biggers in coverage, but McDaniel might be a weak spot in an otherwise outstanding defensive backfield.

Badger WR Curtis Burns gets in front of OSU CB Matt McDaniel for a 22-yard touchdown reception.

The Beavers had to be getting nervous as the offense really could not play much better under the circumstances and it was tie game. Despite that, Rust continued to look poised in the pocket as he stepped up and threw a dart to WR Bill Faaeteet, splitting the zone again for a 26-yard gain. However, Rust was maybe a bit too confident when he tried to split the coverage again. This time the pass to WR Brian Herring was picked off by Badger OLB Greg Clarett, giving Wisconsin an excellent opportunity to take the lead.

Badger OLB Greg Clarett picks off OSU QB Justin Rust.

Unfortnately for the Badgers, WR Lamar Love dropped a ball at the sideline on third down, forcing the Badgers to attempt a 54-yard field goal which fell well short of the cross bar. The Beavers dodged a bullet. But OSU was stopped on a last minute opportunity to score when Rust was sacked on third down. OSU head coach Mike Riley called a timeout to try a last second hail mary before the end of the half. Rust launced one deep into the end zone but it was intercepted to preserve a 14-14 tie at halftime.

The Beavers looked nervous starting the second half with a shaky three and out. The Badgers responded with a decent drive to the OSU 40-yard line. Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema decided to try and go for it on fourth-and-two where the OSU defense stuffed HB Pete Williams. With good field position, Rust led an impressive drive, making key throws to Herring and a 14-yard run by Nolen got the Beavers into the red zone. Where Nolen scored his second touchdown from two yards out to put Oregon State up 21-14.

OSU HB Roy Nolen in with his second touchdown.

Now the pressure was on Wisconsin to respond and QB Gavin Campbell must have felt that pressure when he threw a terrible pass that was intercepted by OSU LB Adam Weber. Now the Beavers had a chance to add to their lead.

OSU LB Adam Weber picks off Wisconsin QB Gavin Campbell.

As the third quarter came to an end, Nolen was starting to break some bigger gains on the ground, but the Badgers would put the drive to and end when Rust was sacked on third down as the Beavers had to punt.

But that is when OSU DE Brandon Webb stepped up and made his only play of the game, but it would be probably the game-changing play of the game when he flew by the left tackle, drilling Campbell, and forcing the ball loose, which was recovered by MLB Casey Wright. The turnover set up the Beavers at the Badger 29-yard line.

OSU DE Brandon Webb forces the ball loose for a turnover.

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Though the Beavers were only able to manage a 38-yard field goal which Reggie Smith was just barely able to keep through the uprights to put the Beavers ahead 24-14.

Now the Badgers were in trouble when they were deep inside there own side of the field with a third-and-two facing them. Wisconsin HB Pete Williams looked like he would easily be brought down behind the line of scrimage but OSU SS Courtney Smith could not make the tackle, and Williams was able to keep the drive alive. However, it was all for not as the Badgers were still forced to punt four plays later.

Now the Beavers just need to milk the clock but on first down Nolen was tackled for a seven yard loss in the backfield. Then OSU was called for a false start. Because of the hole the Beavers dug for themselves, they were forced to punt from deep inside their own territory. The Badgers had the ball with 1:52 left. Still very much a game. That was until Campbell was picked off by OSU CB Matt McDaniel to pretty much seal the game shut.

OSU CB Matt McDaniel with a huge interception.

With only under two minutes to go, the Nolen was just trying to run the clock out, but was able to hurdle two defenders, showing some serious hops, and then took off to the house for a 36-yard gain to put the final nail in the coffin. Beavers get a huge road win with a 31-14 victory over No. 10 Wisconsin in front of a national audience.

OSU HB Roy Nolen hurdles two defenders en route to a 36-yard touchdown.

EA SPORTS World: NCAA Football 09 Video

Oregon State 31
QB Rust: 16-20, 195 yds, td, 2 int
HB Nolen: 26 car, 154 yds, 3 td
WR Faaeteete: 5 rec, 61 yds, td
DE Webb: tkl, ff

Wisconsin 14
QB Campbell: 16-21, 167 yds, 2 td, 2 int
HB Williams: 20 car, 63 yds
WR Burns: 6 rec, 73 yds, td
OLB Clarett: 8 tkl, 2 tfl, sk, int

[-Ray27Rice-]

Nice win, good luck against FCS Midwest your going to need it I heard they are pretty good lol.

[Emac78]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I'll probably sim the FCS game. Don't want to have an 80-0 blowout. Not very fun. Then we have UL Lafayette. That should be tough too. lol But then it gets tough. ASU, UCLA, and Cal.

[Woy]

Still looking good man.