Cliff Kirkpatrick

The emergence of Joe Halahuni for the Oregon State football only highlights the development of the tight ends. He’s getting most the catches and the attention, but a good group of players are in the TE/H-back roles.

Halahuni has 28 receptions for 418 yards and two TDs. The other TEs, Brady Camp and Howard Croom, have combined for five receptions for 34 yards.

“Joe is becoming a real threat, a real weapon,” TE coach Robin Ross said. “And he’s getting even better.”

Camp is technically the starter due to his run and pass blocking ability. That comes first for the Beavers.

However, you’ll remember him for catching the TD pass from RB Jacquizz Rodgers out the Wild Beaver formation. Camp caught another floating pass from QB Sean Canfield earlier in the year.

“Brady has continued to improve as the season has gone on,” Ross said. “He has made some big plays.”

Croom was the starter the last two years, but a concussion in training camp allowed Camp to establish himself. However, Croom is still getting plenty of playing time.

The Beavers use one, two and three TEs on various plays. Croom is blocking more than going out on a passing route now.

“Howard has done a nice job in his role, and the tight end is a role position,” Ross said. “We try to utilize what they do best. Howard gets as many reps as Joe gets. All three play significantly and do a great job for us. They add to the offense in running and throwing the ball.”

The tight ends have to get along to share the playing time. That’s been the case with the Beavers.

“Brady and I were talking recently that we have the tightest position on the team, for sure,” Croom said. “We are all good friends.”

As for the future, the Beavers have set it up that there will be at least one player at every grade level next season.

Senior John Reese redshirted this season. There wasn’t going to be enough playing time for four TEs, and he wanted another year of education.

“It was a win-win for everybody,” Ross said. “John gets more eduction and refines his skills on the scout team. There’s nothing like that. That will help develop him and get real competition in the spring.”

Reese will be an experienced senior next season. He can block, but is more of a receiver. Camp will be a senior and Halahuni a junior.

Colby Prince is being developed. He’ll be a third-year sophomore. The Beavers also have a commitment from TE Tyler Perry from Ventura, Calif.

TV blackout
Since there will be no TV coverage for Saturday’s game, be sure to check out my blog throughout the day of the game. I’ll be updating before, during and after. And you can follow along at twitter.com/cliffgt. You’ll be able to keep up with me dealing with the elements, and more.

Roster update
Backup RB Ryan McCants (sick) is on the trip to Washington State. The Beavers hope he feels better so he can play by Saturday. He figures to play a lot against the Cougars. UPDATE: I just got a call, and McCants is not on the trip. My source was mistaken earlier. So, expect Jovan Stevenson to get a lot work.

LB Kevin Unga (groin) is out. He’s being replaced on the travel roster by S Anthony Watkins, who just recovered from a shoulder injury.

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Oregon State LB Keaton Kristick is the leader of the defense. He’s not the rah-rah type of guy, but more of the lead-by-example person.

After three games Kristick leads the team in tackling with 22, and is tied for sixth place in the Pac-10 at 7.3 a game. His eight solo ties him with the team lead with S Cameron Collins and LB Keith Pankey.

Kristick has been active around the ball with a spectacular INT last game, and a pass breakup. He has been showing his old RB moves from high school when he returned the pick for 14 yards and a fumble recovery 18 yards.

“It’s my senior season and I’m trying to make the most of it,” Kristick said.

However, he’s not happy with his performance, yet. He feels the defense and he will get better together.

“Not so much,” Kristick of if his likes how he’s playing. “I’d like our team to do more. At the same time I can see myself do more. I get nervous out there. But it will pick as will the defense will.”

Kristick has a great sense of humor. It’s subtle. We talked about his leadership role, and he’s comfortable with the title. Then I mentioned him being the face of the defense nationally.

“Me being the face of the defense doesn’t say much about the defense looks-wise,” he said.

There was a pause by him, waiting to see if I got the joke. I did but I played it straight. Then I smirked and he busted up laughing.

That’s just the way he is. He’ll be funny, and laugh to himself because most people don’t get his humor right away.

And on a side note, Kristick said on his Twitter page that he’s getting a lot of work on his groin. I saw him practicing Wednesday, so he should be good to go for the game.

Video, links
The above video is of CB James Dockery and DT Stephen Paea talking defense going into Saturday’s game with Arizona. There could have been 30 minutes of video if I could get it all in. Dockery will have a great career as a public speaker.

Here’s a link to my main Thursday story in the GT on how the Pac-10 is shaping up. Here’s a link to the getting to know Q&A with TE Howard Croom.

For a preview of Croom’s answers, he said he would like to have a dinner conversation with Jesus. He had to debate that answer, because this man was his initial thought.



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