Cliff Kirkpatrick

Here are few items of interest in regard to the Oregon State football team on Saturday morning.

The Beavers are No. 26 in the recently released AP poll. They garnered 122 points, 12 less than No. 25 Kansas.

The Pac-10 is represented by the usual cast: No. 4 USC, No. 12 Cal and No. 16 Oregon.

Here’s a link to my Saturday notebook in the GT. The most interesting stuff is that true freshman WR Markus Wheaton is moving back to flanker, behind James Rodgers, once Darrell Catchings is set for a Game 2 or 3 return.

So, that means I nearly got coach Mike Riley to officially name Damola Adeniji as the temporary starting SE. So if you are voting on the poll for who should be the starter on the Beavers Sports site, you might want to adjust your vote.

Also, a scrimmage focusing mostly on the young guys will be this afternoon. Around 3 p.m. or so.

And here’s the random video of the day. It’s the latest from OSU Beavers Athletics’ Youtube page.

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Darrell Catchings coaches up Markus Wheaton.

There’s big injury news out of Monday’s Oregon State football practice. Starting WR Darrell Catchings has a fractured bone in his wrist, he said.

Early projections have him out at least four weeks. That will keep him out of two games. Read more about this in Tuesday’s GT.

The story is up online early. Check it out here. Also, vote on the GT’s latest online poll on who you think should be the starting SE with Catchings out. Click the Beavers Sports site here.

“If that’s all it is and he’s going full speed by then, then it’s OK,” coach Mike Riley said. “There’s a lot of football left.”

True freshman Markus Wheaton took Catchings’ place as the first-team split end. Damola Adeniji stays on the second team, and replaces Wheaton as No. 2 flanker behind James Rodgers.

“I’m impressed with both of them,” Riley said of Adeniji and Wheaton. “Dom steps it up with every session. He’s more and more comfortable. And Markus Wheaton is talented. It’s not hard for anyone to see that.

Markus Wheaton is ready for action.

Other injuries
DT Brennan Olander (knee) went down near the end of Monday morning’s practice. He’ll need further evaluation to determine the severity.

MLB David Pa’aluhi (head) missed his second practice. TE Howard Croom (head) sat out after butting heads with LB Dwight Roberson Saturday. S Lance Mitchell (hamstring) remains out.

“I think our practice speed is awesome, but my goal is to get all the guys to the season healthy,” Riley said. “And I’m already failing.”

Roster update
WR Kyle Brown won’t be back with the Beavers due to his various injuries over his career. Senior WR Taylor Kavanaugh was awarded his scholarship.

“We are proud to do that,” Riley said. “It’s obviously well-deserved.”

Video report
The below video is a quick look at what QB Lyle Moevao is doing to build strength in his throwing shoulder, after offseason surgery.

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Business continued for the Oregon State football team Tuesday, Day 2 of training camp. Below is the view of the practice field in the morning as the offensive goes through a walk-through.

It was picture day at lunch. It’s mostly for the freshmen who don’t have a mug shot done for OSU, yet.

A funny story is that former S Al Afalava hates getting his picture taken. After the first picture day his freshman year, he skipped every one the next three years.

Check back later in the afternoon for some notes, more pics and maybe a video from practice. The below video is a TE John Reese production.

Polls
The latest poll on the Beavers Sports site is up. It’s on how many games you think the Beavers are going to win this year. Vote here.

The last one was on what home game are you most excited to see in person? Cincinnati won with 47 percent, followed by UCLA at 14 percent and then Washington and none of them at nine percent.

Practice report
The offense looked solid in the limited interaction with the defense Tuesday. There was the skeleton drill with receivers vs. secondary and LBs, and the full team drill. The two-minute drill was added.

“We got a lot done today,” coach Mike Riley said. “We did more interaction, but not much. There was a lot of teaching. I hope that’s good for the next few days when we have shoulder pads on and do a little more.”

QBs Sean Canfield and Ryan Katz were smooth. WR James Rodgers caught two long TD passes from Canfield.

“(Rodgers) busted out of the pack and separated for two big plays, and that’s awfully good to see,” Riley said. “In general, the offense looked good. I like how the defensive front looks good to me — very physical. And I was impressed the speed and effort of the defensive line.”

Freshman WR Micah Hatfield looked good catching and making moves in the secondary. “He’s very smooth,” Riley said. “He caught the eye of the veteran players already.”

Injury report
Two young WRs Geno Munoz (cramps) and Markus Wheaton (lower leg) missed practice, and should be back Wednesday.

“(Munoz) had cramps, very significant cramps,” Riley said. “Until his fluid levels reach a certain height they won’t let him go. He should be ready to go (Wednesday).”

S Anthony Watkins (hamstring) was hurt Tuesday. “I hope it’s not long-term,” Riley said.

Olander scholarship
Junior DT Brennan Olander was awarded a scholarship, Riley said. He takes the place of LB Michael Doctor, who is ineligible.

And on a side note, the scholarship for Jesse Fifita (spine) does not count against the 85 limit. If someone is listed as a medical redshirt with no hope of coming back, they keep the scholarship and it doesn’t hurt the team’s numbers.

Funny hair

The hairdos the offensive lineman are sporting were such a hit that more are doing them. C Alex Linnenkohl came over to me to make sure I got a picture of Geoff Garner and his skull cap look. That’s him in the middle of the shot.

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