Check out the above video of Oregon State football coach Mike Riley talking about his team and Cal on Tuesday.
“We need to get more consistent in a lot of areas,” Riley said. “That’s football for you. That’s going to be crucial for our team as we head into the second half.”
Here’s the news that came out of the meeting
Starting TE Brady Camp (back) will miss his third straight game, Riley said. Reading between the lines it doesn’t look good for a return.
“Brady will not play against Cal,” Riley said. “He’s going through some treatments we hope he responds to, and hope he’s ready for UCLA.”
Is he getting around OK?
“He’s walking OK,” Riley said. “Playing football is not in the picture right now. We are actually trying to get him to do stuff, if we can get him back to playing, he’s in shape to play. But that’s been limited because when your back is hurt you are limited. We are trying for him to do what is safe, if can play again.”
OG Grant Johnson (neck) and C Alex Linnenkohl (ankle) were still limited in Sunday’s practice. WR Markus Wheaton (knee) returned to practice.
WR James Rodgers will have his knee surgery Thursday. It will be out of town, Riley said. He wouldn’t elaborate who and where.
Here’s Riley’s comments on those bad defensive stats:
“We are not dwelling on that,” Riley said. “We are looking at how we can improve. This is a year of improvement there. We are not going to be at the top of the conference. So our goal is just to get better. We have to find that fight and execute.”
RB Jacquizz Rodgers has been critical of the running game the last few weeks because he has a goal of 1,800 yards. He’s at 621 at the midway point, so he’s behind the pace.
QB Ryan Katz and S Lance Mitchell said they are disappointed in the Pac-12 now that NW schools have only one game against an LA team every other year.
They said, as SoCal residents, that a major selling point of Pac-10/12 teams is being able to play before friends and family annually. Plus, they get to play in the LA venues that they grew up watching games in.
Tickets are almost sold out for Saturday’s game. There’s a little bit of everything left. All 6,000 student tickets gone.
17 comments
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
I just saw OSU football on ESPN-U all access! It will be shown again wednesday @ 12:30 pm on ESPN-U, channel #208 if you have Direct TV!
mckalk says:
May 18, 2012
This is the first season in a long time where I think the Beavers are actually a little short in talent at certain positions. After six games, if it was just execution than I would think those not executing would be sitting. The defense is really struggling against all oppositon and I don't see a lot of answers. Look for the occassional key turnover and hope the offense can outscore the opposition.
ean says:
May 18, 2012
Sounds like James is getting a top notch surgeon for the surgery. That is great.
ean says:
May 18, 2012
Also do you know why they are so secretive about the surgery. Not releasing the name of the surgeon or the ligaments that they are repairing? It is my impression that the NFL will find out this stuff anyway. So what is the logic behind withholding the info from the general public. I am not saying that I need to know or that he doesn't have that right, I am just curious is all.
ean says:
May 18, 2012
Oh okay, thanks for the response. Like I said earlier I totally respect James' decision I was just curious.
ean says:
May 18, 2012
I believe they do have SDSU coming up. I wonder if the Beavers could also schedule UCLA or USC OOC. I know in baseball we play the Ducks out of conference.
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
Playing UCLA and USC in nonconference won't happen. I don't think any of the schools want to deal with that. The baseball things is to get local games against high-level teams for the RPI.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
SDSU is on the schedule for 2013 & 2014 according to http://oregonstate.scout.com/3/fbschedule.html
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
Does anyone else think that it’s time for a schematic shift on offense and especially on defense? Look at the stats since 2005; 20 Pac-10 games decided by seven points or less! That is cutting it way too close for comfort. That means that OSU isn’t closing games and putting teams away! OSU should take notes from Oregon this season, score fast and score often! It obviously works. I hate the ducks as much as anybody, but they are not afraid to change things up, and nobody can stop them. What OSU is doing isn’t working all too well. The defense cannot defend a spread offense if their lives depended on it. The offense is way too predictable and dependent on the Rodgers Brothers, AKA: one dimensional! Can we please recruit some OFFENSIVE LINEMEN? The OL hasn’t been this bad since Ken Simonton’s senior year! Also, how many successful teams use multiple running backs? If Jenkins and McCants are Pac-10 level running backs, why aren't they playing? Quizz is amazing, but he could use a breather here and there! It also keeps defenses guessing! Change is a must for OSU to be successful in the new Pac-12, in my opinion! Or else they won’t keep up and they’ll be left behind. Agree or disagree?
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
I asked Riley that last week about his defense. His response was other teams in the Pac-10 and elsewhere play a similar defense to the Beavers. He thinks the scheme works, if done right. It's not being done right at the moment.
My opinion is that the approach to coaching might need to be dumbed down guys. Several have said over the years how complicated it is to pick. However, when they do, they play it well.
Offensively, the scheme puts up points and yards. OSU just needs better blocking. You can say their need better linemen. But the QB, RB and WRs make plays all the time. It's all about consistency this year.
ean says:
May 18, 2012
I think you are right about "dumbing things down". It doesn't matter how simple or complex the system as a whole is…. it is all about having roles that the individual guys can easily grasp.
WebTraveler says:
May 18, 2012
Poyer needs to be a starting CB. That will help significantly on pass coverage.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
I completely agree with you! I have been saying that Poyer should start at CB, pretty much all season! Jordan Poyer is one of the best athletes in the Pac-10, I wonder what he could do in the "Wild-Beaver" formation on offense?
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
OL, DL, LB
BeaverDon says:
May 18, 2012
I couldn't agree more, schedule one name team like Boise State or Wisconsin (who we have next year) and fill in with San Diego State, Hawaii and yes even Eastern Washington. What good did having Boise State and TCU do us?
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
If we are running the same kind of offenses and defenses that the other more successful schools are, then playing top five teams in the preseason is what we want to do , playing powder puff teams gets you no respect in the BCS polls just ask Oregon and Boise. However, if we have the defense and offense issues that this team currently has, then you play those soft teams and let them be your sparring partner as you improve and build strength . We were not up to the level of TCU and Boise State and though we hung in both times , let's face facts, we were not going to beat them, coach Riley knew it , we knew it. And no we have a 3 -3 mark and needing 3 wins to get bowl eligible but at the same time isn't that the same number we need to lose to not get a bowl game ?
In all reality , we are not Rose Bowl team this year even if we had played a total soft schedule , we do not have the personnel on the field and off to get there yet and we probably won't until that changes and changes are made in the defensive and offensive schemes as well until then like Kirk Kirbstreet says in NCAA Football 11 take what the defense gives you , our opponents will gladly accept that offer.
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
On that note Beaver fans …
I have been detecting within our discontented comments a tinge of jealousy toward the Duck football program even I am sort of jealous but in our defense ( excuse the pun ) I think it is a legitimate jealousy.
Oregon Football has been allowed to grow in every way. They obviously have better coaching talent and recruit more successfully as well . They are not afraid to test the untested when it comes to their offensive and defensive schemes ( the placards for instance ) the hurry up offense, etc . We however are pretty much using the same schemes we have been for years now . I read though that Riley wants to use the spread offense next year, about time. Let's not forget about fixing and changing our defense too , ok ? Oregon wins games, gets to the Rose Bowl because they are not afraid to change, not afraid to use the same kinds of defense and offense that other top ten teams are. It's not about keeping up with the Jones' it's about survival , its about getting respect for your program nationwide. Losing games year in and year out to high profile teams doesn't get you that respect as much as coach wants to think that. Putting points on the board every two minutes, blowing other teams away by more than 3 to 7 points , winning games gets you respect.
So , Beaver Nation , if your jealous of the success of Oregon and other teams, you have no reason to feel badly about that. We've technically been in a rebuilding phase for years now . We have had the tools in the past to get us to the Rose Bowl but not the personnel who either know how to use those tools effectively , or will allow it to be used effectively ( refusing to change ). Yes , I am jealous because I know that until change is allowed to happen , I am going to be left hoping for just a bowl game every year , and HOPING that we can win the Civil War so I don't have to hear otherwise until the next one or have to see dvds of the previous Duck victory on the shelf of my neighborhood Bi Mart.
Cliff , I think I have asked you this before but I am not sure I got an answer . Do you know if anyone on the OSU football staff reads this blog ? I would certainly hope so , they need to know how their fans feel.