Cliff: Spring Day 11

Wednesday’s Oregon State football team practice report will be brief because I’m off to coach my son’s Little League team. Go Mets.

Coach Mike Riley wasn’t at practice to be at Al Reser’s private memorial. This was the second time he ever missed a practice. The first one was five years ago due to a death in the family.

“We got some good work in on both sides of the ball,” defensive coordinator Mark Banker said.

It was a drill-heavy day without Riley. During the limited scrum sessions the offense appears to be coming together. RB Ryan McCants looked good, as did the overall passing game.

Expect to see QB Ryan Katz hit WR Markus Wheaton a lot in the season. They have a great chemistry already. Katz hit him deep and had better touch getting the ball in his hands between defenders.

The second best passer on the team has been P Johnny Hekker. He hangs around practice and helps the WRs with early drills. The former QB still has a gun. Hekker hit people in stride deep over and over.

Hekker is also having a great spring punting. Each time I’ve seen him punt he’s booming the ball.

DT Brennen Olander was kept away from the team due having strep throat. His return is yet to be determined.

The only issue came when S Cameron Collins got into it a little with TE Joe Halahuni. Some extra hitting went on. The DBs were having a rough day.

“I wasn’t happy with that,” Banker said. “Cameron Collins is a leader on this team, and that should happen. We talked about that.”

The final scrimmage with officials will be part of Friday’s practice. That leads into the May 1 spring game.