When the official start of “fall” camp arrives on August 1 at the Tommy Prothro Football complex, Oregon State football players will be scrutinized by coaches and fans alike to determine off-season player improvements.
In particular, junior quarterbacks Lyle Moevao and Sean Canfield will be watched closely. Although Moevao currently holds the starting spot, this could be temporary depending on how well Canfield plays.
The Beavers were ranked 114th nationally in passing efficiency and 87th in passing yards per game last season. Both of these statistics are alarming due to the departure of workhorse running back Yvensen Bernard, who helped to open up the passing game by forcing extra defenders to guard the line of scrimmage. Although redshirt freshman running back Ryan McCants is touted as “a force to be reckoned with,” the team hopes for a stronger and more consistent passing attack this season.
After an intense competition in the spring and fall camps last year, Canfield emerged as the starter, but was injured in a 24-3 defeat on Nov. 3 at University of Southern California. However, according to
Scout.com, the 6-foot-4-inch, 225-pound lefty has rehabilitated his shoulder and should be ready to force another competition.
More of a prototypical quarterback, Canfield has the ability to get the ball deep to receivers Sammie Stroughter and Darrell Catchings due to his tremendous arm, but questions still remain as to how well his throwing shoulder feels after having arthroscopic surgery. In addition, there is still uncertainty about his on-field decision-making.
After moving into the starting spot, Moevao took over and won the final four games of the 2007 campaign. While not having the typical quarterback build, the 5-foot-11-inch, 230-pound Torrence, Calif. native is a fierce leader and competitor, and has taken advantage of receiving the majority of the snaps this spring. According to the Albany Democrat-Herald, Moevao has been refining his style of play throughout the spring and hopes to continue in the fall.
“There’s a lot for me to learn,” Moevao said in an interview with the Democrat-Herald. “I’m just trying to make those little things happen. I had the big picture last year, but now it’s about the details.”
Although boasting a 4-0 record, Moevao’s stats show room for improvement. A completion percentage of 52.4 percent and only two touchdowns compared to six interceptions show areas he would like to develop. Yet Canfield’s numbers are close, having only a slightly higher completion percentage (57.7 percent), with nine touchdowns but fifteen interceptions.
As many players, coaches and fans know, in order for OSU to remain competitive in the Pac-10, these numbers will have to improve. Former Beaver quarterback Matt Moore completed 60.6 percent of his passes and had 18 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in his senior campaign, numbers that Beaver supporters would like to see this season.
With fans anticipating another duel between the quarterbacks this fall, the players remain unfazed. According to the Portland Tribune, both players simply want what is best for the team and what will help win games.
“Lyle and I get along really well,” Canfield said in an interview with the Tribune. “We understand what’s going on. Two guys the same year in school, competing all the time, but it brings out the best in both of us. It just makes us better and the team better.”
Helping the cause of the quarterbacks this season will be the much-anticipated return of star wide receiver Sammie Stroughter, a player who will help spark the passing attack. With Stroughter’s return and with the addition of a season’s experience and several wins under their belts, both Moevao and Canfield are ready to lead the Beaver offense this fall – however, which player will start remains to be seen.
-Robert Ingle, The Daily Barometer
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