Starting Oregon State OLB Dwight Roberson is expected to miss Saturday’s Pac-10 opener at home against Arizona State due to a sprained knee, coach Mike Riley said Sunday.
WR James Rodgers has a minor concussion, but is expected to be back to practice Wednesday. Starting DE Taylor Henry (back) shouldn’t miss any time.
Who takes Roberson’s place will be determined Tuesday. Options include Devin Unga, Keo Camat, Cameron Collins and Michael Doctor. Here’s a link to the full story in Monday’s GT.
Riley wasn’t happy about helmet-to-helmet hits Rodgers and WR Markus Wheaton took in the game.
“I don’t know what to say about that,” Riley said. “It was helmet-to-helmet. James was in the middle and I don’t know if it was inadvertent.”
He was also mad about the non-calls on the horse collar tackles on Rodgers. “The official tired to pull his flag out, but didn’t,” Riley said.
59 comments
beaverteeth says:
May 20, 2013
If you want to be a fan who just settles year in and year out for a low tier bowls be a Beaver fan. Like I have been saying this Beaver program has limitations on it. The Ducks really have none that I can see. This is what makes true Beaver fans very frustrated when you see the same kind of season beginnings every year. I expect improvement year after year. Riley gets paid between $800.00 to $900.00 a year he is turning into a typical state worker he is very comfortable.
JoeAvezzano says:
May 20, 2013
On James Rodgers' punt return to The House, Jordan Jenkins got in the way of a BSU player who grabbed the back of his jersey and just threw him out of bounds. I wondered if I had really witnessed such a blatant non-call but all the replays confirmed it. You can see it at the 1:01 mark of this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG2OL4L3soE
Later I realized it wasn't a missed call, just the way these particular officials operate.
JackBeav says:
May 20, 2013
Meh… punt returns are played fast and loose. I'm concerned about the intentional headhunting display put on by the Broncos. People can be seriously hurt with that type of 'play'. One person was, and it only got worse. Collins was called for an inadvertant one when the receiver ducked into his tackle to avoid the hit. Why were all the intentional ones ignored on the BSU side? There were guys running away from the play to sometimes make these hits. What kind of a program puts up with that crap?
banshee_a says:
May 20, 2013
Watch the video again and tell me why this is a blatant no call when there was an obvious block in the back by an OSU player (#3) right as Rodgers crossed the 50 yard line that didn't get a flag either.
JoeAvezzano says:
May 20, 2013
Ok, because I'm fair and balanced I'll concede that what you're referencing is a slight block to the back to a guy that was not in position to make the play anyway. I don't think this compares to a blatant cheap shot by a guy who was simply angry and frustrated and was not trying to make a play but was simply being a jagoff. And of course, why wouldn't he be this way if it won't be called and his coach's "integrity" speeches are laughable hot air?
beaverteeth says:
May 20, 2013
GoBeavs64 You are right on…… well expressed we done!
angrybeaver says:
May 20, 2013
Those officials, and Boise State, embarrassed themselves on national TV. I don't think it was just Beaver fans who noticed.
osbeavs says:
May 20, 2013
I think that either Doctor or Collins needs to play. Maybe one of them over Pankey would be good also. Cliff, does Pankey look slower in practice than last year? He sure seems slower, I don't think he has gotten back to full speed from his injury yet, he did miss a lot of conditioning.
Also, will there be any follow-up on those officials? They lost control of the game and players were hurt from it. A player getting a concussion from their poor officiating is nonsense. We all know about the information out there on concussions, it is the job of the officials to protect the players. I think there should be a suspension/probation for these officials.
JackBeav says:
May 20, 2013
Agreed. Those officials should be judging jarts competitions.
defenseneeded says:
May 20, 2013
3 solo tackles from a starting OLB after 3 games clearly does not seem appropriate.. Why does it appear like Pankey is getting a free pass to underperform..Shouldn't the coaches expect more production out of that position? Can't say they are not running to his side of the field, look at all of the tackles that Hardin has had to make.
WebTraveler says:
May 20, 2013
But Mr. Happy Go Lucky Riley doesn't force the issue. If Riley was so upset why didn't he really put the heat on the officiating crew at the game? His players were taking an un-necessary beating because Boise State's lack of overall integrity in the program, yet he rarely expresses his displeasure to the officials and when he does its very quiet. His style may be professional, but enough is enough.
Mr. DeCarolis. No more return trips to Boise. Nothing is really gained from it. I know it's the chance of a home and away series with a good team without the travel, but still. BYU is close, Nevada is close, UNLV is close, etc. You want games in S. Cal, and we've got San Diego State as well. There are options. Forget going back.
aaron_ says:
May 20, 2013
I agree we need to forget about playing these highly ranked teams for payoffs (TCU) and exposure (BSU). We OBVIOUSLY need three games to tune up before conference play begins. I am not saying we need to play Eastern Washington or Portland State but there are plenty of teams out there would woul love to play a Pac-10 team at home; SDSU, Fresno State, San JoseState if you want a Cali trip, Nevada, UNLV, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Utah State, Idaho, Colorado State…come on let us use the first three to get up to game speed (since we don tackle in camp) and get ready for pac-10 play. If we go into conference play at 3-0 and feeling confident that is a better deal that going in at 1-2 and having the fans calling for heads, dont you think?
WebTraveler says:
May 20, 2013
I am not sure Boise State is really a payoff game, is it? The attraction is that they are an opponent who is close by and will play a home and home with the Beavers.
What did the Beavers clear on this game? The fact that ABC televised it nationwide has to mean good, right?
osbeavs says:
May 20, 2013
I think I would skip Fresno State, they aren't an easy win. I think SDSU is perfect because they are a pretty bad team and are in a great recruiting area.
aaron_ says:
May 20, 2013
And chew on this one; remember in the preseason when Quizz was a Heisman hopeful? Well what if we didnt play these two tough teams and we were 3-0 and Quizz ran wild over three lesser opponents he would STILL be getting talked about in the Heisman race. Now that would be better publicity than hearing about how quizz has been shut down, dont you think. Quizz is special, an guy like that only comes around once in a blue moon. They should have taken advantage of it and not scheduled these games.
ckirkpatrick says:
May 20, 2013
On Riley and WAC officials, he was going nuts on the sidelines on the officials. He has rep for being calm, but he was not at the game. You just didn't see it with the TV cameras on the field.
If Riley was willing to talk about officials to the media, I'm sure he graded them badly in the aftermath. Coaches do reports on officials. I'm sure it wasn't good this time.
During Pac-10 games, coaches can blackball crews. I know Riley has done that in the past.
WebTraveler says:
May 20, 2013
Cliff, OK, we didn't see him on the sidelines and the ABC cameras didn't catch this.
But if Riley was so fed up with the officiating, how about walking out onto the field – the middle of the field – and raising hell? Yep, he'd get a flag, but you know what? He would have been respected by his team, fans, and others for stepping up. Maybe he gets ejected for this – but so what. We have a coaching staff and this would have really fired things up. Riley needs to take some of the blame for not taking charge, plain and simple.
His players simply do not deserve to put up with a continued pattern of unsportsmanlike conduct, continually throughout the game. The hits on James and Quizz(w/o helmet) were way out of the bounds of football (and human) decency.
If Riley stepped up, I would respect him much better. He is a good coach, he is a very respectable man. But enough is enough.
GoBeavs64 says:
May 20, 2013
Cliff , I was watching the game on tv yes, but the cameras did show Riley a lot . I did not see anything in his reactions such as you pointed out. As far as blackballing goes you said " during Pac Ten games, but does this apply to WAC games? If not, your point is mute. I almost wish that there would have been a riot during this game but then that would have shown something that OSU fans do not have , a lack of class. It's too bad that we couldn't have stopped playing in protest. Someone here said it very well , we should never go back to Boise , they need us more than we need them. They just barely got by TCU and VT the rest of the time they play community colleges. They are not worthy of their reputation or their ranking .
I still think this coaching staff does not have what it takes to get this team to the Rose Bowl and Katz can't lead us to the gravy bowl
aaron_ says:
May 20, 2013
Cliff, personally what was your take on the officiating? What were the local scribes saying when these incidents were going down on the field?
ckirkpatrick says:
May 20, 2013
It was bad. They tried to control later.
I'm going say the James hit was accidental, but a bad situation to be in.
The Quizz and Wheaton where intentional and no calls. There were other questionable calls.
angrybeaver says:
May 20, 2013
He has a life-time get out of jail free card, though. Which just solidifies Banker's stubbornness.
defenseneeded says:
May 20, 2013
I for one have moved forward and am thinking about the ASU game this Saturday. ASU will bring in a potent passing attack, and a fast and aggressive defense. We on the otherhand still appear to be very slow on defense, can't stop the run, and are coming off a horrible display of pass defense. On offense, it appeared as though our strategy was too conservative in play calling, and our execution with the exception of a few plays was not there.
What are the coaches going to do differently on both sides of the ball?
On defense, can't they see the need for speed on the edge. Don't they see the LB's still arm tackling, getting hung up on blocks or caught in the wash. Don't they see the front 4 being pushed around on the run, and applying no pressure in pass defense. On offense, can't they see that the Oline is not creating lanes to run in, or providing adequate protection for pocket pass plays.
I ask again, what are the coaches going to do differently?
JackBeav says:
May 20, 2013
They're going to insert "Arizona State" into the spot occupied by "Boise State" in the headline, "No Changes For Boise State Game."
That's different.
defenseneeded says:
May 20, 2013
I hope you are wrong, but let's just say I'm not to optimistic!!
baumgadx says:
May 20, 2013
Try any and all of the Linebackers mentioned it's not like they can do much worse (hold my breath). I don't understannd why Collins is off the field. He won the Safety job last year from Tui now he sits but one of your better players is off the field. Also I'm tired of hearing about the physical specimins certain players are (Hardin) but then it doesn't translate to actually making plays. Players need to know if they consistently get beat/don't play well there's another playing chomping at the bit for the opportunity. 7th straight losing September . . . . I sense a pattern you'd think at some point it would get sorted out.
aaron_ says:
May 20, 2013
collins should definitley be on the field, probably in place of Pankey. Pankey is a nice and personable guy and all but he obiously hasnt recovered fully or just isnt getting it done.
aaron_ says:
May 20, 2013
take a look at this still shot and tell me if it was a clean hit. In the NFL when this happens the player is fined heavily and suspended. What is the WAC, PAC-10 and the NCAA going to do about this Cliff?
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c148/ggbquackat…
rooruns says:
May 20, 2013
It's called targeting. I can't believe the officials missed the facemask/horsecollaring combination on Rodgers.
WebTraveler says:
May 20, 2013
When you lack integrity, it's easy to not see. This officiating crew should NEVER work a game with the Beavers again. Spell it out in the contract if you have to, and make it clear, if they are there, you are not playing.
osbeavs says:
May 20, 2013
Take a look at the head of the BSU player, he speared him, there is no way that is unintentiontal. He ducked his head to make that hit. That BSU player is lucky he didn't hurt himself, maybe even break his neck. When a player ducks his head like that, serious neck injuries can occur.
JuneauJim says:
May 20, 2013
If there was any upside to James getting hit in the head and Quizz getting tackled well after the whistle in the second half, it was that the team actually got fired up! The previous five halves of football this year have been pretty uninspired. After the questionable hits on the Brothers Rodgers, the guys actually started playing physically. If they can't sustain that kind of physical play, it's going to be a long year.
Defensively, we need a guy or two that plays like a house on fire like Swancutt, Norris, Piscatteli or Afalava. Or like Roe or that #20 from the school down the road.
The good news is that Mike's teams have consistently gotten better in October and put together a nice run. The bad news is that the Pac-10 looks much stronger than it has been for years.
aaron_ says:
May 20, 2013
Unfortunatly Hardin is playing much like Sabby Piscatelli. He takes bad angles and misses takles and get burned on the deep balls.
tradernum1 says:
May 20, 2013
BS got penalized as much as they did because they were undisciplined and dirty not because of the WAC refs. There were two completely different standards for the two teams, we repeatedly got hosed, and it doesn't make sense to play there again.
Beyond that, it is unbelievable how few plays our defense makes. I was glad to see special teams FINALLY show up, our offense had it's hands full with a pretty good defense but it was a bad performance for them as well.
wcjr says:
May 20, 2013
Langsdorf's playcalling totally lacks innovation(not just my opinion but that of many others). Why isn't Riley still calling the plays? Just consider our lack of imagination on offense compared to the Ducks or the Broncos. Even Preece was questioning our last play vs Louisville when we only needed 2 yards on 3rd down to run out the clock. What a shock, the ball goes to Quizz like everyone on Louisville's D knew it would. Of course there was also Bronco's comment last year after the LV Bowl in which he said BYU pretty much just concentrated on the Rodgers Brothers because it would be rare if the ball actually ended up in others hands. While it's true our defense can't stop anyone, it would certainly help if our offense wasn't so predictable and could stay on the field awhile, therefore insuring the defense wouldn't be out there so much. Thoughts, Cliff?
ckirkpatrick says:
May 20, 2013
Langsdorf calls the calls the plays because he's the offensive coordinator. That's his job. Riley did it when Langsdorf was breaking in. Now that Riley taught him, he does it.
Much of the unconventional offense comes from Langsdorf. Riley is very vanilla.
As for stopping the Rodgers brothers, every team will try to that. OSU knows that but tries to get the ball to its play-makers.
Great teams have five play-makers on the field all the time. OSU is not that deep in talent.
Plus, when it comes to passing, it's up to Katz to get the ball to the right receiver. Who he throws to is only half up to Langsdorf.
defenseneeded says:
May 20, 2013
The offense has to run some designed plays to folks with names other than Rodgers. To maximize their own success on the field, James and Quizz need other playmakers to step up. Halahuni, Bishop, Nichols, Catching, and Wheaton can be playmakers if they are worked into the offense appropriately. We can't allow opposing defenses to load up on James and Quizz.. Langdorf has got to get the these other folks in action early an often.
tim33 says:
May 20, 2013
Cliff – if all OSU has are two playmakers, then perhaps we set our expectations too high. As good as the Rodgers brothers are, a defense can pretty easily stop two players. Where are Catchings, Wheaton, Bishop, McCants, and all these players who were much improved in camp?
On a positive note – Katz seems to be off to a better start than Moevao and Canfield in '07. So far no INT's. And he's faced two very tough defenses. Penalties are also low.
wcjr says:
May 20, 2013
These players, along with Halahuni(especially) and others are mostly forgotten when Danny calls the plays. I often have the feeling he doesn't know any of our tight ends are even on the field. They go a hell of a long time between passes.
rooruns says:
May 20, 2013
Jordan Bishop is an athlete, Halahuni a monster and even McCants has the body to lower the boom on opposing defenses. I definitely don't understand the play calling. Long attempted pass (with a very promising QB, but doesn't have the touch yet), Quizz up the middle twice without good run blocking and then a punt (possibly line drive). Three and out at key times is not good play calling.
wcjr says:
May 20, 2013
exactly what I am talking about, esp. Quizz up the middle time after time after time. ENOUGH!!!!!
osbeavs says:
May 20, 2013
The McCants ship has sailed, he has the body to lower the boom but he doesn't have the desire to do it. He runs tall at 6'2" and stutters at the point of contact. Old dogs don't learn new tricks.
aaron_ says:
May 20, 2013
Langsdorf call a run with it being 3rd and 10 late in the fourth and we obviously didnt get it. We then punted. seriously, WTF? pardon my french there but the game wasnt over, in fact it was still well within reach. That got my blood boiling.
wcjr says:
May 20, 2013
Is there really anyone out there thinking Langsdorf should be calling plays instead of Riley? Danny should be watching more Duck games(hurts to say that, even though I got my MBA from there) or even Bronco games and soaking up what truly innovative play calling is. Too many capable players are not being used. Most have been mentioned above.
ObjCritic says:
May 20, 2013
OSU is simply getting outcoached. Somewhere you mentioned Cliff that for TCU and BSU, their contests against OSU were big games, "circled on the calendar" in effect. That had to be true of OSU as well. TCU may have more talented players than OSU (and that may be debatable), BSU certainly does not. If these games are bigger for them than for OSU, than that just means that OSU isn't interested in a championship or a high level bowl, because winning these games, even if they are out of conference has high value for OSU's ranking, and thus their bowl destinations at the end of the year.
The continuing pattern of slow starts is indicative of Riley and staff's inability to learn, adapt, and teach so that the same mistakes aren't repeated. They have far too many starters on both sides of the ball, and too many of their own players in the system, for too long, to be wandering around "looking for their identity." Its the coaching staff's job to form the identity. Its not as if they're starting another staff's recruits or a bunch of true freshmen.
Riley has commented on the quality tackling of TCU ("maybe the best" he's seen) and BSU. Why doesn't OSU have as one of its goals to be the best tackling team in the country? Even players are saying they need to practice tackling more in camp. Yet Hardin can't tackle Moore on a corner blitz, and Collins(?) gives up a 55 yard run, not unlike Mitchell's inability to tackle Masoli and keep him from converting on 4th down.
All who wander are not lost, but some who wander just can't learn. Time for Bob DeCarolis to say "Look, at the rate you guys are compensated, we can't have the same problems every year. Mike, you've got to accept that its time for Banker to move on." And I know that Riley and staff aren't among the highest paid coaches in the Pac-10, but you can bet Riley's among the highest paid on OSU's campus.
I for one won't renew season tickets if the coaches keep this up. They're not doing the best by the players or the fans.
osbeavs says:
May 20, 2013
Amen to the above.
Riley is the highest paid staff member at OSU.
Tackling should be a priority, especially to be the best. Tackling in football is like self hygiene in real life, everyone should want to be pretty darn good at it, if you suck at it it shows. Clearly, the poor tackling is on the coaches. Tackling is over half the game of football.
rooruns says:
May 20, 2013
When the TV announcers talk about the OSU Linebackers needing to develop and mature and you see that they are seniors you know we are in trouble.
wcjr says:
May 20, 2013
Doubt very much if you could find many Beavers who wouldn't trade our coaching staff(esp. the offensive coordinators) straight up for the guys in Eugene or Boise.
osbeavs says:
May 20, 2013
I would trade Banker for allow-a-loti. Side note, Allioti used to coach at OSU in the 80's. I would love to trade Banker for the old BSU D-Coordinator (Wilcox).
BeaverDon says:
May 20, 2013
Consistantly going 1 and 3 or 1 and 2 or whatever in nonconference just is not getting it done anymore. BSU needs to go on the same list as Fresno State, the "No Play List". As others have said, they need us more than we need them. But further, how is year after year of losing records in September helping us? We just do not do well in these games, we all know the list LSU, Louisville, Cicinnati, TCU, Fresno State, Boise State and Penn State. We lose all these nationally televised games, what does that gain for us? When was the last time we had a winning September? Many hav said that OSU is not a National Chapionship contender, that the Rose Bowl is the best we can hope for. So has playing these teams in September gotten us ready for the Pac-10 season? When was our last Rose Bowl? Or for that matter Hoiday Bowl? The best we have done is the Sun Bowl.
GoBeavs64 says:
May 20, 2013
Cliff , does Mike Riley or the athletic department as a whole have an email address where they can be reached ? I know this may sound lame but I think the coaches need to know if they do not already how fed up we the fans are with the status quot. Several of your readers have made valid points that the coaching staff needs to consider as well as Mr. Decarolis. The family angle is nice , no one is more about family than myself , but in a situation such as coaching what is supposed to be a competitive team, it can be a downfall if over emphasized. Playing upper tier teams that we are clearly not ready for every year is not a plus as far as national recognition or revenue goes. It does not help prepare for the conference season and it gains us no respect . Perhaps it gains us pity for taking on teams that are 100 times out of our league and getting our butts whipped even though we give it a good effort but that's about all it will get us. It can't help recruiting either when future prospects continually see us getting our butts handed to us. Who wants to come play for a school that excels in mediocrity and mediocre bowl games against other mediocre opponents? What is so wrong with striving for the success that teams like Oregon and Boise State , USC , Arizona , etc consistently achieved? I am however not condoning dirty play , committing numerous infractions or getting put on probation. There are good clean yet productive ways to become a feared , winning program.
This program is going in entirely the wrong direction in every way . We the fans see it and if the athletic department and the coaches do not see it they need to be made aware. Changes need to be made all around and soon before we fans continue to root for the Beavs in our hearts and maybe our homes, but little by little refuse to fill the seats at Reser.
So I ask you Cliff, do you have any idea of if Mike and his boys read this blog or is there any way to email them. You can share this info with me directly if you choose
aaron_ says:
May 20, 2013
ditto.
JackBeav says:
May 20, 2013
I wouldn't go so far as to say we're headed in the wrong direction. But I do not like the personnel decisions this staff makes every year to begin the season. I believe recruiting was poor for a few years (with notable exceptions), and we are suffering because of our lack of depth.
Once again, the staff will make personnel changes four or five games into the season which put better players on the field, and OSU fans will cheer that our 'conference run' has started again.
Some people might think evaluating single players foregoes the team concept. Something akin to not seeing the forest for the trees. But nothing is further from the truth. A team is only as strong as its weakest link. So the forest is only as strong as the trees that populate it.
JackBeav says:
May 20, 2013
If you're the O-coordinator at any school about to play the Beavs, you're not saying to yourself, "This defense will be fine. They always pick it up and play well in-league." You're saying to yourself, "Wow, I'm going to run it over the left side until they put someone there who isn't drawn to his blocks like a paperclip to a magnet. Then, when they put someone in who can play, I'll take advantage of the safeties moving forward and play them deep."
ckirkpatrick says:
May 20, 2013
Look here: http://www.osubeavers.com/school-bio/department-d…
GoBeavs64 says:
May 20, 2013
Cliff , thanks alot for that link. Don't know that it will do alot of good but I feel like us long suffering Beav fans should have the opportunity to voice our opinion on the direction of the team. I have been a beav over 35 years and don't plan on ever changing colors, that doesn't mean the most loyal fan can't get frustrated . I don't expect Mike Riley to start leading this team according to the will of the fans but if I were a coach , I would want to know what the fans were thinking and maybe take some of it at least, into consideration.
JuneauJim says:
May 20, 2013
Let's keep our heads here people. I guarantee you, the coaches know that the fans are frustrated. But "going in entirely the wrong direction in every way???" That's strong stuff.
For the last two years we had a shot at the Rose Bowl going into the Civil War. And because of the parity in the league and rules on repeat appearances, we drop down to lesser bowls.
Who else in the Pac-10 could have gone to TCU and Boise and won one or both of those games? USC? Stanford? Not likely. The Ducks gave up 600 yards of offense to ASU and only won because ASU made too many mistakes. And the Ducks lost by 11 at Boise last year scoring a whopping 8 points – and that was with Mastoli.
"What is so wrong with striving for the success that teams like Oregon and Boise State , USC , Arizona"
Well sure, we could move to the WAC like Boise. Or we could be liars and cheaters like USC and BTW, we beat them twice in the last 4 meetings. Arizona's program hasn't compared favorably to OSU's program in years.
I understand the frustration, but there is no way playing Idaho State and Eastern Washington is better overall for the program than playing two close and competitive games against Top 5 teams on national TV.
JackBeav says:
May 20, 2013
And another thing. If we had a Winston Venable type player on our team, we'd be calling for his head. Several fans thought Keaton Kristick was a little dirty and called him out over it, but he was Gandhi compared to Venable.
JackBeav says:
May 20, 2013
Your count is probably correct, but it should have been five times as much. And those instant benches lasted for a series or two. Those players were back on the field.
And what game did you watch? After James was shoved in the back by one BSU player, he righted himself only to be speared by Venables two yards away from the play. Venables had to wait for James to stand upright after he was shoved just to make the hit. I've heard some claim that Venables was going after the QB, but he altered his direction when he saw James standing there. There is actual video of the whole play. Check it out and at least be an informed apologist. Venables was given the green light to spear our boys by the WAC officials, and he did just that time and time again. He was finally called on one, and Petersen sat him for what? Two plays? The ABC announcers sounded almost shocked when they called his name in the fourth quarter because they were chanting the "Chris Petersen doesn't put up with that" BS mantra.
It's Pat Hill all over again. I'm surprised there wasn't any headhunting on punts.
JackBeav says:
May 20, 2013
They had my respect until Saturday. Now they're Fresno State to me.