Cliff Kirkpatrick

The Oregon State football team has had success twice running the Wild Beaver, where RB Jacquizz Rodgers takes a direct snap and QB Sean Canfield lines up as a WR.

Saturday’s opponent, Cal, has been doing the Wild Bear (it just doesn’t sound as sexy). Backup RB Shane Vereen is 0-for-2 the last two seasons passing but the backs are great runners.

So the Beavers have to recognized that play and be ready for the variations. The defense faced its offense in training camp doing the Wild Beaver, but not that often.

“It’s the same – a direct snap to a playmaker,” CB Tim Clark said. “They are capable of making big plays. We want to force them to drive the field.”

The Beavers must see the play coming in a split-second and be ready for the plays that come off the formation.

“It’s communication,” LB Keaton Kristick said. “We have to be aware of what they are doing so that it’s not a surprise.”

Also, here’s a link to my main story in Thursday’s edition of the GT. It’s on S Jordan Poyer and the surprise impact he has had this season. And yes, he’s planning to play baseball for the Beavers, too.

Here’s a link to my oddball Q&A with senior DT Latu Moala. He’s a big music fan, and would have to have dinner with man, Bob Marley.

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It easily topped 100 degrees in Corvallis on Tuesday, and you could feel every degree as it climbed throughout the day. So, while running errands around town I noticed it was the time in the afternoon when the Oregon State football players work out on their own.

With it being late in the summer and so blistering hot, I decided to swing by and see who the hardcore guys were. And there were a few.

Seven offensive linemen were doing their striking drills, led by C Alex Linnenkohl and OG Ryan Pohl. Young guys I recognized were Colin Kelly, Colin Lyons and Michael Philipp.

A group of six defensive players, who were influenced by DT Stephen Paea and his first love, were playing rugby. I noticed DT Latu Moala, CB Brandon Hardin and S Suaesi Tuimaunei. Former player Al Afalava was involved, too.

Players usually do this practice session after working out with the strength and conditioning coach earlier in the afternoon. So they deserve a shout out for their efforts as everything wilted around them.

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