Yahoo Team Report:
Oregon State was hit and hit hard by graduation losses, but young guys who got a chance to play and the return of two “old” stars on offense has Mike Riley optimistic about the 2008 season.
Riley knew he would be getting guard Jeremy Perry back from a broken leg that knocked him out for the season in the first game last year. The coach didn’t know he’d be getting wide receiver/punt returner Sammie Stroughter back until word came in mid-March. Stroughter had been give a medical redshirt after playing in three of the first four games last season before going down for the year with a kidney injury.
“The entire team is excited to have Sammie back,” Riley said of Stroughter, who missed last year’s opener because of a personal grief situation, played in three games and then got hurt.
Stroughter has to help. So does Perry.
The Beavers have made charges to the finish line each of the last two seasons and this year face a schedule that calls for games with eight bowl teams from last year. The second game of the season is at Penn State.
Notes, Quotes
Spring Objectives: Make sure starters settle in on defense, with new faces being called upon to take over for graduation losses. There are junior-college players in the mix and some of the people who will help won’t be there for spring. Mike Riley also has to solidify the running-back position with Yvenson Bernard gone and is looking for a kicker and punter after the loss of Alexis Serna.
Building Blocks: Wide receiver/punt returner Sammie Stroughter was granted another year with a medical redshirt and is the star of the offense, which also gets guard Jeremy Perry back from injury, even though Perry was missing the spring with knee surgery. Mike Riley still doesn’t know if Sean Canfield or Lyle Moevao will settle in as the starting quarterback. Safety Al Afalava and defensive end Victor Butler are keys on defense, with Afalava suspended for the opening game for an off-the-field incident.
Schedule Situation: Not an easy one. The Beavers start the season at Stanford and Penn State and play eight bowl teams in 2008. They do have the Civil War with Oregon at home. “We have been slow starters the last couple of seasons, we can’t afford that this year,” said OSU coach Mike Riley.
Quote To Note: “We certainly lost a lot of very good football players who were probably the most or one of the most successful classes in Oregon State history. But, at the same time, our entire coaching staff is excited about what lies ahead. We have watched a young group gain experience playing behind veterans, now it’s their turn to be the veterans.”—Oregon State coach Mike Riley before the start of spring camp.
Strategy And Personnel, Stars Of 2008:
WR/PR Sammie Stroughter—The No. 1 player on this team just found out in mid-March he will be back in 2008, getting a medical redshirt to return. “It’s a do-over, a mulligan,” Stroughter said. “It’s a blessing.” Stroughter was third-team All-American in 2006.
G Jeremy Perry—He was injured in the first game last year, didn’t return and then needed knee surgery in the spring. But he should be fine to lead the blocking.
WR James Rodgers—The Oregon State spring prospectus labels this kid “one of the most electrifying young players in the country,” and he is a special all-purpose type who really opened eyes as a freshman last year.
RB Ryan McCants—Already being called “the next great running back at Oregon State.”
Top Newcomers:
DE Simi Kuli—The junior-college transfer is a five-star recruit and picked OSU over other big-name schools, including LSU.
QB Ryan Katz—Oregon State coach Mike Riley says, “We were impressed with Ryan Katz from the get-go.” Katz was rated as the 20th-best pro-style QB available. Katz is enrolling early and will get a jump on the starting job.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers—His brother, James, was a contributor as a freshman, and the younger Rodgers, 5-6, 180 pounds, has a chance to do the same thing.
RB Jeremy Francis—The junior-college transfer should challenge for the starting job and was already on campus.
Roster Report:
• S Al Afalava pleaded guilty to a DUII charge stemming from a Feb. 9 arrest, was allowed to keep his scholarship and is suspended for the opening game at Stanford.
• OT Tavita Thompson was still appealing an academic suspension that runs through the end of October. He is currently slated for a Nov. 1 return.
• G Jeremy Perry and DT Pernnell Both were both out for the spring after surgeries.
• FB Micah Strickland and LB Eric Moala were dealing with academic issues and hoped to be eligible in the fall.
• QB Sean Canfield was recovering from shoulder surgery.
• The Beavers were hit hard by losses on the defensive line.
-Yahoo.com
Editors Note: there is an awesome wiki site up for the 2008 Beavers, click here
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