Cliff Kirkpatrick

I ran into the head strength coach for the Oregon State football team, Bryan Miller. He and his wife Jen had a baby girl on Jan. 31. Miller is bouncing between his growing family and whipping the Beavers into shape.

He said players to look for making major improvements are DE Gabe Miller, RB Will Darkins, S Cameron Collins, OL Ben Motter and CB Brandon Hardin.

Greyshirts who impressed him have been WR Kevin Cummings and WR Obum Gwacham. “Both of them are extremely athletic,” Miller said. “Obum, that kid, for being new to the program has picked up everything we are doing at an extremely high rate. He’s proficient in what we are doing. He’s very coachable.”

Miller is still running his volunteer special forces-style work out on Saturday mornings with the players. Last week 47 players showed up on their off day.

On a side note, Miller sees the players more than the coaches at this time of the year. So I asked him who the leaders of this team are. He said LB Keith Pankey (before the injury) and DT Stephen Paea were pushing teammates hard on defense.

Offensively, C Alex Linnenkohl and OT Mike Remmers are at the forefront. Sophomore QB Ryan Katz, who is expected to be the starter in the fall, has come on strong taking the reins from Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao.

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It wasn’t a foregone conclusion the Oregon State football team’s offense was going to be successful this season.

There was a returning QB and star RB, but the offensive line needed to be rebuilt with two underclassmen on the left side, true freshman Michael Philipp and walk-on Grant Johnson.

Read more about the linemen and the man behind them, Mike Cavanaugh, in Thursday’s GT here. And check out the above video of OG Gregg Peat. He talks Washington State and Cavanaugh.

Here are a few comments from Peat that didn’t make the story or the video:

“That’s the way he coaches,” he said of Canvaugh’s aggressive approach. “He gets the most out of us. We like that.”

“In the beginning of the season it was a rocky start,” Peat said. “We gave up a lot of sacks and the run game wasn’t where we wanted it. But as the season went on we got better, but we are not perfect, by far.”

The offensive lines development led a stellar offense. Sean Canfield leads the conference in passing and Jacquizz Rodgers is up for several postseason offensive awards.

“This offense has turned into a pretty good picture,” coach Mike Riley said. “Our offense threatens people with the interior running game with Quizz. It threats on the edge with James (Rodgers) and Markus Wheaton. Our running game is balanced. We have a number of guys making plays in the passing game.”

OSU reached the point that if the running game is stopped, the passing game takes over, and vice versa. There can be gimmick plays such as Wild Beaver or be conventional.

“Its fun to see the overall growth and production,” Riley said. “It’s important for us to continue to climb. You can feel it when we are going good with the execution and guys making plays.”

Balance has come from the backups and support personnel. TE Joe Halahuni and WR Damola Adeniji are prime examples of the offense spreading the wealth.

“Playing for Joe was a big deal,” Riley said. “He hasn’t played much before. He was overcoming a significant (knee) injury. It was just a matter of time before it clicked in. Once it did, it’s a good thing. The quarterback looks to him more, and there’s more in the game plan for him.”

RB Jovan Stevenson and WR Aaron Nichols are examples of the backups stepping in so there’s no difference in the offense.

“When you got that going that whoever goes in and it doesn’t matter, that’s a good thing,” Riley said. “We try not to be overly excited about that. That’s what we expect. That’s why they practice and that’s why they are on the team. When they go in the game our expectations is to help us carry on if we are doing well, and if not, help us get better. They are very good examples of us being able to do that.”

Getting to know …
Here’s a link to my oddball Q&A with C Alex Linnenkohl. For a preview, he’s another player afraid of these creatures.

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The Oregon State football team practiced in the indoor facility Thursday instead of the stadium, and it wasn’t even raining. Coach Mike Riley moved it inside due to wind.

“We are not going to be playing in any elements this week,” he said of Saturday’s game at Cal.

The only problem with the setup was the Beavers couldn’t practice with the stadium noise piped in. It’s a Thursday tradition, started off of a winning streak back in 2004.

“We’ll be all right,” Riley said. “And, no I’m not superstitious.”

The dinged up players returned full force with C Alex Linnenkohl (sick), who should start. CB Tim Clark (concussion) returned to practice after being out all week.

Riley said Clark won’t start, but Brandon Hardin will. “Hardin is probably going to start,” he said. “Tim has missed so much this week, that’s what’s going to happen.”

That’s not the case with Linnenkohl because he’s more of an experienced player, Riley said, and will step back into his role easily with one practice and a walkthrough. If he can’t go Ryan Pohl will take his place.

S Suaesi Tuimaunei worked in with the first string for Lance Mitchell, who has been slowed by a leg injury.

“Lance is gimpy,” Riley said. “He was late coming out today to get treatment. He’ll be all right and play in the game.”

Freshman RB Ashton Jefferson, who is redshirting, has been out recovering from a broken bone in his left foot. He should be back for spring practice. “I don’t think he’ll practice again this year,” Riley said.

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