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Take Five: Getting to know Oregon State
Despite recent success, Beavers still unknown to many
AP PHOTO
Oregon State quarterback Sean Canfield gets set to fire a pass against UCLA on Nov. 8, 2008, in a 34-6 Beavers victory. He’ll be at the helm again for coach Mike Riley as OSU takes on UNLV on Saturday night at 8 p.m. Sam Boyd Stadium.
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009 | 2:30 a.m.
Game Preview: Oregon State
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Las Vegas Sun UNLV football beat writer Ryan Greene, along with UNLV coaches and players, share the biggest news and notes from the Rebels' week leading into their game against Oregon State.
September 10: UNLV News and Notes
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Las Vegas Sun's Ryan Greene breaks down the key points from the Rebels' 38-3 win over Sacramento State.
The Rebel Room
Rebels, Beavers meet in key non-con grudge match
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Ryan Greene and Rob Miech discuss Saturday's showdown between UNLV and Oregon State. Both are coming off of sound victories over FCS foes. The Rebels' biggest challenge will be shutting down OSU sophomore running back Jacquizz Rodgers, while the Beavers are trying to combat a shaky past against non-conference opponents away from home. Plus, the fellas offer up some predictions — Vegas style.
What others are saying
Read what other writers are saying about UNLV's upcoming game against Oregon State:
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Next game
- Opponent: Oregon State
- Date: Sept. 12, 8 p.m.
- Where: Sam Boyd Stadium
- TV: CBS College Sports
- Radio: ESPN Radio 1100 AM
- The Line: Oregon State by 7
- Series History: UNLV leads 3-1
- Last Meeting: Oct. 14, 2002 — Oregon State won, 47-17
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."
Discussion: 5 comments so far…
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As a Beaver Alum I'd say that article is pretty fair and accurate. I would note however that the "early season struggles against non-conference foes" was due to OSU's penchant for scheduling ridiculously good teams. (2008 Utah and Penn St. are good examples!!!) We look forward to a good game UNLV!
Do your research Greene. Canfield didn't lose his job to Moevao in 07. He got hurt on while sliding against USC. It was a cheap shot by the king of cheapshots, Ray Malauga. Sean didn't fully recover from his offseason surgery until the middle of last season. Now with him being fully healthy he will be the starter ALL season unless he sustains another injury. You guys are really selling Sean short. Which I love, cause if you load the box against Quizz, then Sean will tear you guys a new one. And even with 8 guys in the box, Quizz will still get some long runs off cause of his patient running style.
Another thing about Canfield, Mr. Greene, is that he has always been a much more talented quarterback than Moevao. Canfield and Moevao battled eachother for the starting quarterback position prior to the 2007 season when they were both sophomores... it ended up that Canfield was the clear cut starter. As a sophomore Canfield lacked strong leadership and the passion you want in a starting quarterback... and when he went down against USC and was replaced with Moevao, those qualities were Moevao's strength and ultimately was exactly what the team needed. As it turned out Canfields injury was almost a blessing in disguise since he was able to sit back and watch Moevao because he learned how to play with passion, be a vocal leader, and most important to have fun. Canfield now is a lock to be on an NFL roster next season... that may not have been the case if the injury never occured.
@ BO
Who is selling OSU short? The writer of this article? He does not game plan for UNLV. Should be interesting to see how our defenses hold up, good luck OSU, but not too much. GO REBS!
The Beavs are expecting a very tough game from the Rebels and rightfully so as the writer has correctly pointed out the Beavers have not been
successful in early season road games!! I would say UNLV should be the favorite as this Beaver team is presently a unknown quality and the
heat may be a factor to favor the Rebels. It
should be a donnybrook looking forward to a clean injury free games for both teams.