The Oregon State football team played the worst game I’ve covered in the seven years covering the team. It wasn’t how they performed, it was who they lost to.
As my son asked me after the third quarter: “Dad, I thought you said the Cougars were the worst team?” Yes, they were. That was until they met the Beavers.
Check out what C Alex Linnenkohl said to the media after the game. Coach Mike Riley’s interview is below.
Here’s a link to the main story in Sunday’s GT, it on the fall of the team, mood and their reasons for failure. Here’s the sidebar going over the issues. Here’s the notebook.
Here’s a link to the report card. This was the first time there were multiple Fs. That’s how bad the game was. Here’s a link to the game center play by play.
Go ahead and vent. The Beavers were frustrated after the game. They admit to being a bad team right now.
They think they can salvage the season with at least 2 of 3. I know, you doubt that. It is a long shot. However, that’s why they play the games.
34 comments
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
So all of the people calling for Langsdorf and Banker to be fired are still idiots now? We have an inept coaching staff now that needs to be changed in the off season! Mike Riley needs to ignite the flame in this program or it will fall back into the dark ages, and become irrelevant again! He needs to show more emotion and act like he cares! I don't believe in firing Mike Riley, just two of his assistants mentioned above. WSU not only played with more inspiration, they also looked faster than OSU! OSU desperately needs to recruit SPEED! Man we really, really SUCK! It is the third game this year that OSU looked totally unprepared, uninspired, and acted like they didn't give a damn (UW, UCLA, and now WSU)! The Beavers are absolutely pathetic and embarrassing! BTW, the wheels have now officially fallen off of the bus! This team probably won't win another game this season. This is the worst game I've watched OSU play in 10 years! Cliff, what you said to your son, summed it up perfectly. OSU is the worst team in the Pac-10. Here is the question I've been asking all year; "Where is the PASSION on this team?" It isn't that they lost, it's how they lost this game that hurts so much.
beaverteeth says:
May 18, 2012
I am really surprised this year at this teams performance even without James and especially at this juncture of the season but they will now go 4-8. After this implosion just think…..USC Stanford and then the Ducks my oooooo my it is going to get even uglier.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
This team has zero heart and passion for the game of football, it is very discouraging and painful to watch. I can't believe that they are NOT improving and they keep playing worse, and worse as the season goes!
aaron_ says:
May 18, 2012
this is the lowest they have gotten in a long time. The O-line sucks. Plain and simple. The Beavers are wasting the talent of Jaquizz with a horrible line. Phillip needs to be pulled. McAndrews should be in because Phillip is playing like crap. There was no blocking for quizz or for Katz. Does the line not like Katz, are they laying down? They are better than this. But they look like they jsut dont give a crap. Bench them all. Start Timi, start Pohl, start McAndrews, start all back ups on the line. Lets see who gives some effort.
On a side note Banker and Langsdorf need to be fired.
aaron_ says:
May 18, 2012
Alright Cliff, i asked this during the game blog but got no answer from you. Have the wheels fallen off now?
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
I did. I said one was rolling down Western.
aaron_ says:
May 18, 2012
ha ha, sorry I must have missed that!
There is so much wrong with this team…The Defensive coordinator who won't/can't adjust or adapt, the O-coordinator who cant string together one nicely called drive, a LB-ing corp who cant tackle, corners who get burned, DL that doesnt get any pressure, the O-line who plays like they hate their own qb. And a head coach who wont stand up and get pissed off for his own players when they are wronged, a head coach who will not take back the play calling duties from a young buck who is just not ready, a head coach who needs to fire his O and D coordinators. There are so many things wrong with this team right now it is sad. It should not have gotten this bad….
tradernum1 says:
May 18, 2012
There was absolutely no intensity or fire at the beginning, middle or end of the game. That was a team completely unprepared to play.
Roberson and Miller have to be yanked, they're awful, and awful repeatedly. I am sure they are both credits to their parents and the university, but they can't play major college football. Same goes for Hardin. Frankly the whole defense basically stank up the joint. The schemes were simple, repeated, did not pressure the cougars in anyway, and Banker stole his paycheck for this game.
The offensive line is awful, and Katz is beginning to get some bad habits because they're so bad.
Seeing them in person, seeing the lowly cougars physically and mentally dominate this team, was ridiculous.
Fertig, Avezzano, Kragthorpe, Riley. All have embarrassed this university.
osbeavs says:
May 18, 2012
Pull your head out and watch the game again. If you are going to slam any single player it is Pankey. He is a coward, he simply will not tackle unless it is simply to dive on a pile after the play. Roberson may not be playing well but Pankey may be the worst college player to ever play the game.
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
I know that I have called for firing the offensive and defensive coordinators in previous posts but after watching the 4th quarter of last weeks loss and all of this one in person , I am not so sure anymore that that is the answer. There is simply no size , no speed , no skill or talent on this team as far as the defense and offensive lines and you cant coach those things yea maybe you can coach a player to be able to play his position but if he doesn't have the ability natural or otherwise to play it well , then that is that. Langsdorf and Banker are surely teaching the players to cover their assignments the guys just are following through. Maybe we all expected too much from this team this year being as young and small as they are , perhaps it would have been more realistic to expect that this would be a rebuilding year which it is as of this night. I do have to bitch about going for it on fourth down in the first half and putting the Cougars in great field position allowing for another touchdown. I realize we were down deep , but to make it worse instead of punting them deep. Shows the coach has no faith in his defense. I loved how we came out with the hurry up offense , I think if it's well practiced and executed it could work for us hope to see more in the future. New wrinkles are definitely needed.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
Just who might be responsible for recruiting the size, the speed, the skill, or the talent? The Offensive and Defensive Lines? Offensive Line = Mike Cavanaugh, Offensive skill positions & playcalling = Danny Langsdorf, Defense = Mark Banker! All three need to pack their bags after this season! Mike Riley needs to right this ship, or it will sink even deeper! Put a fork in it because this season is done!
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
I guess you could be right in that respect but we've had some pretty good recruiting and walk ons in the past just a bad year , happens I suppose but we do need to take our recruiting to another level that's for sure
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
True, we have the talent! OSU is more talented than UW and Wazzu, but both UW and Wazzu out executed OSU, and played with more inspitation than OSU! We got out-coached in at least 3 games this season, which is inexcusable! OSU must recruit in the trenches better, that has been the major weakness in most of OSU's recruiting classes! OL & DL recruits don't look as attractive as the skill positions, so to most people they go unnoticed. Riley can't be affraid to go to the JC ranks to get what he so desperately needs! Also, this team lacks attitude, swagger, and nastiness! The coaching staff must find these kind of athletes, and or find a way to instill them into the team!
Corvbeav says:
May 18, 2012
Yes, it is the worst loss. No question about it. It is the worst loss that I can remember considering who we were playing. WSU is comparable to the 1980's Beavers. Horrible loss.
I know fans are frustrated BUT lets all think back to 2006. Remember the 'CAN RILEY' Signs and the 'CANFIELD' signs? We were just as low then and we stepped it up.
The schedule might not set up for us to make the SUN BOWL run we did in '06 but we can start get ready for 2011. Next year will be a big year for this coaching staff also so lets hope they make the necessary adjustments.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
Famous last words from Beaver fans each and every year are: "Wait until next year!" I'm so sick and tired of it! Beaver Nation needs to quit accepting mediocrity. We want to win, damn it!
osbeavs says:
May 18, 2012
Amen! Acceptance of mediocrity led us to 10th in the pac-10.
Corvbeav says:
May 18, 2012
Anybody think it would be a good idea for Riley to take over play calling duties? Langsdorf seems to be in a slump calling plays.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
YES!!!!!!!!!!! Or Fire Langsdork and find an offensive guru who can also motivate! Danny Langsdorf's needs to be replaced after this season, and so does Mark Banker!
ObjCritic says:
May 18, 2012
Cliff, it WAS how they performed. WSU deserved to win; they were more prepared, they wanted a win more, and they executed better, don't take that away from them. OSU was terrible. OSU performs poorly in both fundamental aspects of the game – blocking and tackling, and its not like there's a bunch of redshirt freshmen starting for OSU.
Keep in mind the number of returning starters OSU has on this team, and all of the players are in-system kids; Riley et al's recruits. Also, this was Dad's Weekend, with a willing and supportive crowd.
I was at the WSU game in Pullman last year, and there's not enough change in OSU's roster to explain the 180 degree turnaround in outcome. Sure the o-line lacks talent, but this team is not prepared well and is not well coached. Banker at least needs to go, he's a damn dinosaur who fails to acknowledge the change in DI football wrought by the asteroids and climate change that are read/spread option offenses. He wants to be a head coach, let him go find a job. Further, they have no energy or fire, and they're not getting it from Riley, whose only expression of emotion on the sidelines (shown on tv) was to put his hands on his head in exasperation and signal what we all know; he doesn't have any answers.
WSU inserts read-option plays for OSU, and Tuel outrushes Quizz. That's pathetic. Banker cannot get his squad to play the option any better today than they did at TCU at the beginning of the season. Gee, I hope nobody left on the schedule figures that out….
Personally, I was glad to see FSN show WSU's celebration at the end of the game. They earned it.
beaverteeth says:
May 18, 2012
I feel really bad for the Rogers brothers. They want so much to win and this is what it has come down to. One pathetic season.
angrybeaver says:
May 18, 2012
Cliff, do you think there's any chance Riley changes coordinators, or at the very least takes over play calling?
http://angrybeavs.com
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
Banker has a two-year deal. I'd say Riley and Banker could come to a mutual agreement about change. I doubt he would fire him. It's a firing in the middle of the contract.
Riley always called the plays until two years ago. What he might do is co-call them more.
angrybeaver says:
May 18, 2012
Two years including this year or two more after this year?
ckirkpatrick says:
May 18, 2012
One more after this one.
osbeavs says:
May 18, 2012
Disgusted, the only word to describe how I feel after that game. This team clearly lacks heart. They may be great athletes but this team simply doesn't have football players. The small bright spot on the otherwise poor history of OSU football may have been blotted out. 11/13/10 may be the day OSU football died.
Over-under on Ducks total points in the CW? 120?
WebTraveler says:
May 18, 2012
It's time to call it a year and play the 2nd, 3rd string underclassmen and get some people some experience. We're not going to beat 2 of 3 of USC, Stanford, UoO.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
I honestly think this is a great idea! If your starters aren't playing inspired, passionate, and their hearts out, then find the players who will play their hearts out! Regardless if they're 1st, 2nd, or 3rd string, play the players who want to play! You can build for the future by doing this. The loss to WSU yesterday was by far, the worst loss in 30 years for OSU! It is disgusting.
tommiet says:
May 18, 2012
One last grade for your report card Cliff.
Beaver football season : F
Ecmj1591 says:
May 18, 2012
I have been watching the Beavers play for 30 years through some pretty bad times. The game yesterday was the worst game I saw in those 30years. Not because they lost, but because they gave up. In the 70's, 80's and early 90's those boys came to play even though they knew they did not have the talent to win. This team played like they simply did not care. To Quizz, I am so sorry! Your heart and will to win unfortunately is not big enough to carry the team. You have the entire Beaver nation behind you and still that is not enough either.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
If every player had the heart and the desire to win like Jaquizz Rodgers, OSU would be playing for a BCS Bowl this year! Instead they don't deserve to even put on a Beaver's jersey! Their performance yesterday was an Embarrassment and Insult to the Oregon State University, and its fanbase!
beaverpride says:
May 18, 2012
wow, get a grip beaver fans. we've had a good run and we're now having a bad year. LB's are slow… you can't coach them to run faster. Inexperience, injuries and losing starting LB and DE have taken its toll. I have faith in MR now just as I did when things were going well. It's embarrassing how quick people turn on MR after a couple of losses.
OSU4life says:
May 18, 2012
Just who is responsible for recruiting division1/Pac-10 quality LB's at Linebacker U? If there are faster redshirts, or younger classmen on the roster, then they should be starting! Another thought to ponder, why isn't Brandon Hardin #17, a LB? He can't cover, but he is a sure tackler and a hard hitter, and gives us speed at the LB position! This didn't happen overnight, many of us fans who closely follow the program were afraid of this happening! It's nothing new, and unfortunately too many of us saw this coming. The more talented team lost yesterday, the team that actually wanted to win, won! That is purely 110% coaching.
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
I sit here this morning disjointed and frustrated as the rest of you and seriously considering selling my Usc tix . I cannot bare to go freeze again while watching a bunch of heartless wonders embarrassingly wear the orange and black. I hate to think what the Trojans will do to them and I say that because if it was the loss last weekend that contributed to this one , the next game will be a great lesson in feeling sorry for yourself.
GoBeavs64 says:
May 18, 2012
sounds like a Duck lol but maybe your right , maybe we have all had too high expectations based on previous success but why shouldn't we , they have high expectations ? You don't rest on your laurels even though we had none to rest on after losing the last three weeks of last season. I think it was 3 , correct me if I am wrong . Anyway , we needed to build on all those previous years and we haven't this year . I hope the one bright spot of this season will be dropping the Ducks on their high flying butts. If we don't get a bowl after that so be it , that is a Rose Bowl win if there ever was one.