Cliff Kirkpatrick

Now that senior quarterback Lyle Moevao is done for the season due to an ankle injury, redshirt freshman Ryan Katz is the new backup for the Oregon State football team.

He started out the No. 2 QB at the beginning of the season because Moevao was still coming back from offseason shoulder surgery. When Moevao came back to practice after two games Katz stepped aside and didn’t practice much with the offense.

“I’m definitely ready,” Katz said. “This week has been good, getting more reps since Lyle has been in there for a while. After a couple practices I’ll be back to speed throwing-wise. But if something were to happen, I’m ready to step in.”

Katz feels paying attention in the meetings, watching film and the practices kept him up to speed on the offense. He has been through two training camps and two spring practices as an early high school graduate.

“Getting reps in fall camp and through (the) UNLV (game) helped,” Katz said. “Then sitting out, no one likes sitting out, but I understand. There are two senior quarterbacks. I don’t like to see anyone go down, but I’m ready to step up and take over the role I had before Lyle came back.”

Katz considered moving over to the scout team like he did last year when he redshirted, but didn’t. The idea was to keep his timing down with receivers, but decided to stay with the offense to see how it prepared each day.

“There’s no doubt Katz will be ready,” coach Mike Riley said. “I have no doubt we have good young quarterbacks here.”

When starter Sean Canfield graduates after this season, Katz goes into the spring the leader of the quarterbacks to be next year’s starter. He’ll have to fend off junior Peter Lalich, who is redshirting after a transfer, so being ready now helps for the future.

“It’s always on my mind,” Katz said of next season. “This year is this year, but in the back of my mind I’m always thinking about next year. That’s what I’m getting better for today.”

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