The Oregon State football team mixed in a scrimmage into Friday’s spring practice. There were no officials, but the defense was allowed to gently tackle ball carriers. Check out the above video as coach Mike Riley gives his assessment.
You all want to know about the QBs, so I’ll start there. The bottom line is none of them are close to nailing down the starting job. It’s still status quo with Ryan Katz in the lead with Peter Lalich giving chase.
Cody Vaz is showing well and will push for being the backup. Jack Lomax has slipped. He’s not getting as much team work as the rest.
Here are the QB stats: Katz 8-for-12, Lalich 4-for-6, Vaz 3-for-5 and Lomax 2-6. Katz threw an INT to LB Keo Camat, but he was technically already sacked.
“It was a typical first scrimmage,” Riley said. “There were a lot of good plays defensively, a lot of good speed. Offensively, as it settled down we made some good plays.”
“I thought we did really well,” Lalich said. “The defense is tough as always, but I thought our guys made a lot of plays as well.”
On one play Katz threw into double coverage, but the defenders couldn’t stop the ball from reaching TE John Reese, who caught the ball out of self defense.
“Sometimes you can make up for a bad decision with a lot for velocity,” Riley said.
It was a rough day for the offense Friday.
The DL stood out the most in the scrimmage. DE Gabe Miller and DE Taylor Henry were in the backfield with ease. OL coach Mike Cavanaugh went crazy on his OTs.
At the same time DL coach Joe Seumalo was clapping and uncharacteristicly smiling.
“That’s usually how it is at the start of spring practice,” Katz said. “The defense just reacts. We have a bunch of calls to make. By the end of spring we’ll have it down.”
Even the DTs, without Stephen Paea involved, tore up the running game and pressured the QBs. If QBs could be hit, all of them would be sitting an ice bath through dinner.
“The edge was pretty hard today, there’s no doubt at bout that,” Riley said. “It collapsed pretty good. That’s an important part (of the defense after) losing Matt (LaGrone), the development of that other side. Gabe is going to get it. Gabe is one of our most explosive players. So finding that other end, and finishing off that front four, is a big deal.”
WR Markus Wheaton appears to be taking control of the split end job. Darrell Catchings missed two practices from pinkeye, and it may have been enough for Wheaton to gain the edge.
Wheaton looks to have better hands this year. He mentioned to me that he feels like belongs now.
“Near the end of scrimmage he ran that big in-route,” Riley said. “That was a good sign. That’s a big play in our offense. And he caught a corner route. If a guy can do well with those two routes he can split end for us.”
Overall, the defense look great. It’s too early to judge the LBs because so many young guys are in there, but they held their own.
The same could be said with the OL. A lot of work has to be done there.
Injury report
LB Kevin Unga (hip) was out for the second practice. … TE Colby Prince (hamstring) didn’t return from Wednesday’s injury. … S Lance Mitchell (hamstring) returned. … OT Michael Philipp (knee surgery) was on crutches, but he said he feels good.
The defense were all over the offense Friday.
10 comments
angrybeaver says:
Apr 10, 2010
Cliff, have you noticed a change in Riley's fire/passion either way? I ask because he looks a bit burnt out in these videos. I'm wondering if falling just show the past few years is having a tole.
http://angrybeavers.wordpress.com
ckirkpatrick says:
Apr 10, 2010
Riley is not stressed or tired. He's calm, really. In this video specifically, I think he wasn't happy with the offense.That's was his version of being frustrated at the end of the day.
ObjCritic says:
Apr 10, 2010
The news about the O-line isn't very encouraging – its not like OSU's DE's scared anyone last year. Imagine if Paea had played.
The depth on the o-line seems very thin, with several recruits (McAndrews, Oshinowo) never really panning out or contributing. What's it going to take to get better o-line talent to corvallis- not just one or two starters, but solid across the line and depth?
ckirkpatrick says:
Apr 10, 2010
Philipp is a pretty good recruit. Many of the other guys are good, and need to be developed. And they are – Remmers, Linnenkohl.
At this point, the line was without two starters, Philipp and Grant Johnson. So three inexperienced guys were in getting some experience. Remmers, however, had a tough time with Gabe Miller. Miller looks fast.
aaron_ says:
Apr 10, 2010
Timi has all the potential in the world. He has the size and the strength, but he jsut cant stay healthy. If he can stay healthy then he will be a more than capable back up for Phillip.
And i agree with the Angry one, Riley is looking very tired these days…
angrybeaver says:
Apr 10, 2010
Sorry, Aaron, but Timi is a step slow and plays waaay too upright–any fast end is going to give him the Dwigth Freeny and just go under him. That's why he's getting torched by Henry. Enger is the monster tackle of the future–just wish they'd groom him now and polish him off in the fall. That guy almost had the body to play coming out of HS.
Glad my eyes aren't deceiving me with regard to Riley. He needs to get some rest. Last years Rose Bowl seemed to devastate him. Cliff says he's recovered from it but his face in those videos shows me otherwise.
ckirkpatrick says:
Apr 10, 2010
Timi was a three-project. Last year was his year to earn a starting job, and was first on the first string when he got hurt in the spring game. Last year was a lost year. Now he's behind the true sophomore who took his place and a two-year starter with another year to go. So, unless something happens in front of him he's working to be a solid backup.
Wilder is the one who hasn't been healthy for two years. He had possibility. He was rated higher than Remmers, but got hurt. And Remmers stuck.
RenoNVBeavr says:
Apr 11, 2010
What is all the fuss over Riley and his alleged weariness? I have watched clips of Riley the last few Springs and his demeanor hasnt changed at all. That's just how he is, folks! As for the OL, I do think depth is a concern. I also wonder how much productivity the running game will achieve if blocking is subpar. Quizz doesnt need much running lanes to run through but I couldnt say the same for guys like Stephenson or McCants.
Cliff – As good as Cody Vaz has looked this Spring, do you think he has a realistic chance at being the backup if Katz wins the job? Also, I am not surprised at how fast Miller is. Recall, he was ranked highly -if not #1- in the 400m hurdles in HS. The dude has wheels!
ckirkpatrick says:
Apr 11, 2010
He has a good chance if he keeps it up.
oneHeisman says:
Apr 12, 2010
Why did Jack Lomax get a scholarship again? Beavs are getting physically talented quarterbacks in the program from national lists. The Anderson, Moore, Canfield line proves this. Mannion is reportedly a blue chip talent. Just saying that the beavs have to be careful recruiters. Not sure about JL. Portland state is probably the right place for him given his connections.