Take Five: Getting to know Oregon State

By Ryan Greene

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 | 2:30 a.m.

Despite a national ranking and a string of successful campaigns in recent years, No. 24 Oregon State comes to Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday night a relative unknown.

Blame it on being in the same conference as Southern Cal, blame it on the Beavers playing their games later at night than most of the country and on not nearly as many TV screens.

Here is your crash course on everything Oregon State as Mike Riley brings his club to town to face UNLV.

Not so fast, gamblers ...

Many folks around town might think that Oregon State is just a seven-point favorite this weekend and might look like a sexy pick to cash in on. But hold on just a second. During Mike Riley's current tenure at OSU — dating back to 2003 — the Beavers are 0-7 in non-conference road games. Oregon State's 9-4 campaign in 2008, including a huge upset over then-top-ranked USC and a Sun Bowl shutout of Pittsburgh, is impressive. But the Beavers have proven time and time again that they're prone to early season struggles away from Reser Stadium.

Big production from little men

Brothers Jacquizz and James Rodgers — each standing a whopping 5-foot-7 — carry quite the load offensively for OSU. And they're well-rested, having each played just the first half of last week's 34-7 victory over mighty Portland State. As a freshman, Jacquizz played in only 11 games before a shoulder injury cut his season short, but the shifty running back gained 1,291 yards via the handoff and another 247 on 29 catches. That included a 186-yard, two-touchdown performance in the win against the Trojans. As for brother James — a year his senior — he compiled 1,036 yards on 96 carries and another 815 on 70 catches in his first two seasons in Corvallis. Both were huge last week, as Jacquizz had 103 yards and three scores on 16 carries, while one of James's two catches went for an 87-yard first quarter touchdown.

Oh, that crazy quarterback carousel

Senior Sean Canfield will start at quarterback for the Beavers. That's about as bold a statement as saying it will be hot outside come game time. But things haven't always been that set in stone for the 6-foot-4 gunslinger. After throwing nine touchdowns and 15 picks in 286 attempts as a sophomore in 2007, he took on a backup role to juco transfer Lyle Moevao in 2008. Canfield then came to the rescue late in the season when Moevao couldn't go for a blowout of UCLA and a key come-from-behind victory at Arizona to keep Pac-10 title and Rose Bowl hopes alive, but then moved back into the shadows upon Moevao's return. Moevao will make the trip to Vegas only as an emergency third-string quarterback, as he recovers from shoulder surgery, and could reassume the starting position in the coming weeks. But, for now, the Beaver faithful have to go with the other senior, who was 8-of-11 for 158 yards and a score without breaking a sweat last Saturday.

Prove it to me

While many locals are waiting to see what UNLV's defense is made of against a Pac-10 offense, the same goes for Oregon State's fans, whose defense lost eight starters off last year's club, including its entire secondary. Despite allowing just one late score, the Beavers allowed the FCS Vikings to rack up 351 yards of total offense last week. Granted, the second unit handled much of the third and fourth quarter action, but still ...

Don't try anything crazy

Despite spending a good 24 hours in Las Vegas before the game kicks off, the Oregon State players will be on strict lockdown. This comes straight from the mouth of senior wideout Taylor Kavanaugh, who writes a periodic journal for The Oregonian.

"When we travel, as we will this week for our second game, in Las Vegas against UNLV, it has been and will always be about one thing," he wrote. "Business.

"If you are within earshot of our program anytime during a travel week, you're sure to hear that word repeated over and over again. From coaches and players alike, the same mindset remains evident as it did my very first season on the road: our time on the plane, on the buses, in the hotel and of course on the field is a business trip. These words definitely apply and will be tested more than ever this week as we head down to Las Vegas, a city abundant with potential opportunities to become distracted."