Cliff Kirkpatrick

Oregon State QB Sean Canfield’s life changed two years ago when the Beavers played in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

He had won the starting job and was improving each week, but then a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder suffered in the game against Southern California put him on the shelf for the most of the rest of the season and most of his junior season.

In theory, the season he is having now could have been last year’s season. And who knows how good he would be this year. For a detailed story on Canfield’s development, check out my Thursday story in the GT.

Looking ahead to this weekend Canfield must return to that field, relive the memory and put it in the past. He can’t worry about himself if the wants to guide the team to victory.

“He’s in a whole different place as a quarterback,” coach Mike Riley said. “He’s healthy, and probably played one of his best games, last game. In dealing with that part of it, if that’s a factor for him I don’t know. But any player who plays football is susceptible to something like that. That’s something they have to deal with. If there’s a ghost for him, that’s something he has to deal with and play the game.”

There’s no anxiety or anger in Canfield. He’s not even looking at the game as a must-win for him to gain revenge.

“I don’t have anything against anyone there,” Canfield said. “It’s part of the game. It’s part of the territory. The preparation and focus for me is like any other game.”

However, he did later watch the play enough to know the details. He didn’t remember what happened at the time because he was hit so hard that his bell was rung hard. Canfield later said he had no recollection of the end of the game or how he got on the airplane to go home.

“Looking at the replay I don’t think there were any ill intentions,” he said.

A reporter then asked Canfield if knew who hit him, thinking it was a linebacker. Canfield quickly interrupted: “It was a safety Will Harris.”

Getting to know …
Check out my off-beat Q&A with senior CB Patrick Henderson. For a preview, he loves to eat anything with these creepy crustaceans.

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4. Cliff: Canfield, offense discussion (updated)
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