Our first win, my sprained ankle and a look at Oregon State

Jason Beauchamp

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009 | 1 a.m.

I think for the most part, against Sacramento State, it was a game where, you know, we gained some things, but at the same time, we stayed steady because we were expected to win.

We went out and did what we were supposed to do and predicted to do, which I guess we haven't done too much in the past or people complained about in the past.

That's the good thing, but this is a whole new game. Oregon State's gonna be a totally new speed, and if we play like we did against Sacramento State, it won't be a good game. That's just how I personally feel.

As for my sprained right ankle, I'm gonna push it. If I have any chance of playing, I will be playing. I want to practice so the coaches know I'll be ready, just try to come out early and maybe get some practice in on Wednesday. But, either way, I think I'm off to a speedy recovery. I've been resting it. I've been in the treatment room every day, non-stop, including Labor Day. I'm doing what I've gotta do.

It's disappointing because it's happened at the beginning of the season, but at the same time, there's a lot to learn from it, because I guess I could be thankful just that it's not worse. It was a fluke accident. Somebody hit me in my back when my foot was planted.

But everything happens for a reason.

As for the Rodgers brothers — OSU sophomore running back Jacquizz and junior receiver James — the reason they're so good is that they play instinctual. They flock to daylight, they have good feet and they know how to play off their blockers.

That's what makes them standouts. They know who they are, they know their identity and what they rely on — speed and quickness. And they know how to use it.

To play against a Pac-10 team, it means a lot, but I'm sure everyone can see now that there's not too big a difference between the Pac-10 and the Mountain West.

So the difference between going into Arizona State last year and playing Oregon State this year is that we kind of expect a great game.

You know, we don't hold those guys as an impossible feat or a dream. We see it more as an expectation now, where we were just pleased to be on the field with a Pac-10 team in the past, which really isn't impressive to me anymore.

We expect a lot out of ourselves.

Hope to see you all on Saturday, and I'll talk to you again next week.