Cliff Kirkpatrick

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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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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