Anyone Else Worried About The Beavers?

I understand we have played a pretty tough schedule to date so our numbers aren't going to look as good as most teams early in the season.  But I'm worried about the Beavs. 

Things that make me concerned:

* The defense (458 yds/gm - 2 sacks - 59% 3rd down conversion rate)

* Only 483 yards passing (161 yds/gm)

* No receiver really stepping up (none over 40 yds/game or more than 3 catches/game)

* Zero 4th quarter points in 3 games


Silver Lining:

* Katz isn't turning the ball over

* We still can use the wildcat (wild beaver) and seem to be OK on the ground

* Our special teams play is saving our butts

* We've been here before


Big game this week people.  The last three years we win this game.  This may go a long way to defining the season.

Come on Beavs!  We need this one!

Blue Turf Installed on the Oregon State Beavers Practice Field

After seeing the photos and video of the OSU practice field being painted blue I had to go check it out for myself. Turns out I wasn't the only one who was curious.

The cheerleaders needed to check out if it affected their game:







Some random people played a little catch:






It felt a little like being on water.

Overall, I'm happy they did it and I say do whatever it takes. Its a huge game and we should treat it as such. Shock the world Beavers!

Go Beavs!

Louisville Post-game Thoughts

A win is a win. 

Being 0-2 going to Boise St. would be a disaster.  I'm disappointed that 35-14 didn't turn into 52-21 or something, but oh well.  Louisville may turn out to be OK.  Maybe even threaten a bowl game.


I think the reason most people aren't happy with it is because of what Oregon is doing and to a lesser extent, Stanford.  They are running up scores and appear to be in mid-season form.  And we want to see that from our team.  Well, you don't get it both ways.  If you want OSU to schedule tough in the preseason, then don't expect massive blowouts. 

Quick Hits and Silver Lining:

* The Beavers are going to lead the nation in lost helmets.  They are on pace for an all time NCAA record.  Keith Pankey is clearly the leader on the team in this category and could single-handedly shatter the record by game 5.

* Lots of new players on D.  I'm totally lost on who is in on tackles until the turn their back to the camera/jumbotron.

* Zero offensive turnovers in the first two games.  That's new for early in the season with a new QB.

* The defense is forcing turnovers.  That's important if they're going to give up yards.

* The offense finally realized that the path to greatness goes through Jaquizz Rodgers.  Run the ball on first down more please.

* Field position is really important.  Our offense started in our own end-zone three times and really struggled there.  They seemed to always start at the 40.


Anyways, on to Boise St.  Hopefully we can shock the world.  Gameday will be there and the game will be on ABC!

Oregon State Beavers Gameday Experience - Parking and Tailgating

When you come to an OSU Beavers football game, where do you park? Where do you tailgate? I'll offer up some of my thoughts, and I'd like Beaver Nation to chime in and let me know your favorite spots. This post is the first in a series that I'll post on the game day experience and how to make it awesome even if you're a first timer.

Official OSU Gameday Central

Parking

There are quite a few places to park and it can get pretty overwhelming.  Here are a few I've tried or know of.  Please leave a comment if you have thoughts or additions.

* Oregon State University Campus

Many of Oregon State's lots are reserved for BASF donor parking. However, there are a few lots that you can get in off Monroe Ave. that are $10 to park (not too far to walk). The lots closer to Reser Stadium bump up to $20 a spot.

OSU has put together a nice parking map showing lots color coded by price and location on campus:

OSU Parking Map - PDF

Not sure how the tailgating is on all those locations, but if you get there early enough, many lots have alleys or grassy areas to set up.  If you're not big on tailgating and don't mind a bit of a walk, Monroe Ave. has tons of great restaurants and a little shopping to hang out before and after the game.

There are other places that you can park that are very close or have shuttle access.

* Downtown

Parking downtown is convenient and there is a shuttle to Reser Stadium to take you to and from the game.  There are tons or great food, shopping, and kids play options downtown.  However, there isn't any tailgating.  Another downside is the buses tend to get caught in traffic going downtown after the game, so don't expect a speedy exit.

* Avery Park

Avery park is just across Highway 20/34 from campus.  Its a really quick walk to the stadium and has tons of grassy areas and great tailgating spots.  Its usually about $10 to park and would be great for a big group.  Its not really close to much in the way of restaurants or shopping, but there are a few really great kids play areas and playgrounds and a rose garden to enjoy.  Getting out after the game is actually not too bad as well.  If you're going home to Eugene this would be ideal if you need to get home after a game semi-quickly.

* Benton County Fairgrounds

The Benton County Fairgrounds has a HUGE parking lot with room for RVs and plenty of cars.  So this would also be great for a big group.  There is a shuttle to and from Reser Stadium.  There isn't really any food/shopping within walking distance (a mini-mart), but it would be great for tailgating.  I've never parked here so I'm not sure about traffic, getting out, etc.

* Private Lots

I don't have any secret lots, but I know business owners and home owners all around campus tend to have parking available for a price.  If anyone has some good spots, let me know and I'll list them here.  I'd like this to be a growing document.

Tailgating

The first option is to just setup next to your car/RV and go for it.  I've seen some pretty amazing setups around campus.  Satellite TV, massive BBQ, and countless games like washers, ladder toss, beer pong, and more.  If you've never really tailgated, then find a friend who has done it for a while and invites a few people and enjoy.

If you aren't into tailgating or just want to experience Corvallis or the game day festivities, here are some other options:

* Fan Fest

Fan Fest sets up 3 hours prior to kickoff and is a fun time for the kids.  There around a bunch of bounce house type structures and sports games.  There's also a fan shop and the pregame show going out there.  Definitely worth checking out if you have kids.

* Beaver Walk

From the official site:

Approximately 2 hours before each home game, the entire team and coaching staff will walk through the Fan Fair, accompanied by the band, cheerleaders, and Benny. Keep the tradition alive!

* OSU Alumni Center

The Alumni center is a good place to eat and drink beer before the game.  its right across the street from Reser Stadium and has decent food options (not just burgers) and usually a good beer on tap (microbrew). It costs $5/person to go inside, but the outdoor eating area on the south side is free.

* Restaurants

I'll admit I haven't done much of this in Corvallis so I'm not sure where the hot spots are pre-game. I generally tailgate or go to the Alumni Center for pre-game.  However, as a local I would recommend trying these places:

Monroe Avenue:

Clodfelter's - Burger joint with good beer, TVs, and has been around forever.  Good local place.

McMenamins - If you live in the Pacific NW you know about MeMenamins.  Cool decor and games.  Decent beer and food.

Downtown

Block 15 - Great new brewpub in town.  Great beer and food.  A bit small, so stake your claim early.

Flat Tail Brewery - Great Beavers decor.  Lots of flatscreen TVs.  Good beer.  Great fries.  On the waterfront. 

University Hero - An awesome local Beaver themed sandwich shop.  They server beer and have TVs too!


Any other spots you like?  I plan on doing a guide just for food, so look for that coming up.

Go Beavs!

Watch the 2010 Oregon State Football Entrance Video

The new OSU Football entrance video is up on YouTube! I love the nod to the past and getting coach Riley involed.

Watch it:




Go Beavs!

Quick Thoughts On Louisville - Game Replays Available To Watch On ESPN3

Thanks to ESPN3 you can do some scouting of Louisville for the upcoming game this weekend. I've watched a quarter or two and was pretty unimpressed.

Some things I've gleaned:

* The quarterback likes to run and is pretty good doing it. Their offense is reminiscent of TCUs from the little I saw. Good running game, ok passing game. Sometimes bordering on bad.

* The offensive line is experienced and seems pretty good. Four seniors and a sophmore center who started as a freshman.

* The defense doesn't look very good. They have guys that look the part, but didn't seem to get it done on the field. They didn't have a sack against Kentucky.

Here's the links and you can watch for yourselves:

Louisville vs Kentucky - ESPN3.com

Louisville vs Eastern Kentucky - ESPN3.com

Can't wait for the game this weekend!

Go Beavs!

The Beavers Running Game Isn't Dead Yet

Jaquizz Rodgers

While watching the TCU game I felt that the coaches should've run the ball more often because it seemed like we were getting good yardage.  I know mixing it up is good, but I like to see runs on 1st or 2nd down when he's rolling regardless.

A quick look at the drive charts in the second half showed:

3rd Q

• 2nd and 10 at ORST 13 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 8 yards to the OrgSt 21.
• 2nd and 10 at TCU 17 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 15 yards to the TCU 2 out-of-bounds for a 1ST down.
• 1st and Goal at TCU 1 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 1 yard for a TOUCHDOWN.
• 1st and 10 at ORST 28 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 7 yards to the OrgSt 35. 

4th Q

• 1st and 10 at ORST 26 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 4 yards to the OrgSt 30.
• 2nd and 6 at ORST 30 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 5 yards to the OrgSt 35.
• 3rd and 1 at ORST 35 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 3 yards to the OrgSt 38 for a 1ST down.
• 3rd and 10 at ORST 38 Jacquizz Rodgers rush for 7 yards to the OrgSt 45.

 Its not a big sample size, but I think we were wearing their defense down.  I think he would have excelled on that last drive and would have been key.  In fact, instead of a pass play I think the first play should have been run.  We had 4 minutes left so there was plenty of time.

Anyways, I think the running game will be fine.  The key is just getting Jaquizz the touches he needs to be successful and do his thing. 


Go Beavs!

Have Patience Beaver Fans, We've Seen This Script Before

Take a deep breath and just relax about the Oregon State football team's performance last Saturday in Dallas.

We've seen this script before. In the past I think the situation has been much more dire. After getting blown out 40-something to 14 nothing appears to have gone right. Sure, the score could've been much worse. But that it wasn't is a good sign. These guys aren't giving up.

Some food for thought:

* The coaches have proven they can improve the team from these kinds of games fairly quickly.

* Katz is already ahead of other first time QBs we have experienced in recent years.

* There is a lot of young talent on this team.

* The older guys are solid leaders.

* They coaching staff and players never get too high or low. Some people think this is a liability. I think its key in these kinds of situations.


I remember years past where we were complaining about the LBs being slow or the O-Line not run blocking. The coaches generally got the kids coached up for the Pac-10 and changed things to open things up (fly sweep, wildcat, etc). I wasn't that impressed with the Pac-10 teams I saw over the weekend.

So don't be too hard on the kids and coaches after this loss and root them on against Louisville for a big win. Then maybe, just maybe we can pull off something amazing at Boise St. I mean, it has to happen eventually, right?

Go Beavs!

TCU Postgame Thoughts and Links

Tough loss last night against TCU.  I'm proud that we hung in there and had a chance to win or at least tie in the 4th quarter.  We were dominated pretty well, but somehow kept hanging around.  Overall it was a pretty good performance by the Beavers and I think we can all come away thinking we could have won with just a couple of plays going our way.

I think the biggest bummer is that we didn't take our shot at the end.  The safety was such a bummer.  I want us to go down swinging, not with a wimper.  It was a tall order, but a huge potential learning experience and confidence builder for Ryan Katz that went down the drain.

Rather that dwell on the negative, here's some positives:

* Our secondary looks solid this year.  Mitchell had to make a ton of tackles, which is bad, but we did backup our LBs well.  Hardin looked good after getting burned once in the first half.  Tuamani looked better than years past.

* Katz played pretty well.  I thought he was over excited early on and over threw the ball a lot, but overall he played great on the big stage.  His long ball is awesome and will give a new dimension to the team this year that Canfield couldn't do as well last year.  He just needs to learn to dump the ball off to Quizz a bit more and take a little off the short throws and things will be great.  No interceptions is good (despite a couple of close calls). And I liked his running and escapability.

* The D Line will get sacks this season.  They pressured pretty well, but lost containment on a running QB which is very bad.  Not sure if they are really up to stopping the run.  But there was a lot of option and misdirection, so it was hard to tell.

* The stats were pretty lopsided, but if the Beavers drive 80 yards at the end and don't give the ball back, things look a lot closer. They played better, but towards the end I think we should have run more often because Jaquizz was starting to get rolling. Oh, and how is it that Gary Patterson gets to decide if the roof is open? That hurt us I think.

Overall, it was a positive game for the Beavers despite the loss.  I want to shock the world against Boise St!


Related Links:

Beavers can't complete upset of No. 6 TCU - Corvallis Gazette-Times

"I was worried about this team at halftime," Riley said. "But we hung in there. I appreciate that. I thought we never quit on it. There was some stuff that was pretty good, but that doesn't overcome the disheartening feeling of not getting a chance at the end."

Cliff: TCU postgame - Cliff's Blog

Includes video of Ryan Katz and James Rodgers

No. 6 TCU 30, No. 24 Oregon State 21: Beavers shot at a dramatic victory goes awry in a snap - The Oregonian

"We practiced to stop what they do and we didn't do that," said OSU safety Lance Mitchell, whose first-quarter pick of a Dalton pass set up Katz's scoring pass to James Rodgers.

"We've got a lot to work on," Mitchell said.

TCU uses big stage to make statement - ESPN

"I'm disappointed that we didn't give ourselves a chance on the drive at the end," Beavers coach Mike Riley said.

[...]

The only plus coming from that play was Katz taking responsibility for the miscue, just like a veteran quarterback would.

"We should have just stayed with the [called] play," he said. "That's on me."

Riley agreed, by the way: "He didn't have to get out of it."

Canzano: Ryan Katz learns how his play will make or break Oregon State's Rose Bowl hopes - The Oregonian

Katz has presence. He's a leader. He made no excuses. He accepted responsibility. He looked and sounded every bit the part of a guy who understands that his performance is the difference between a Las Vegas Bowl and a Rose Bowl. And if you'd have stepped into the TCU locker room after the game, you might have heard safety Tejay Johnson talking about Katz's arm. After all, Johnson's coach harped all week that Katz had the strongest arm they'd see all season.

"I was a little surprised," Johnson said. "When I saw him throw that corner route, I realized he had a stronger arm than what I thought he had."

Frogs exploit the hole in the roof and Oregon State's run defense - Star-Telegram

"I thought the heat made a difference," TCU coach Gary Patterson confirmed. "I thought our kids, the conditioning we do, made a difference in the third and fourth quarters.

.

Red Turf? Abomination, or Cool? What about Orange Turf???

The Boise St. smurf turf is bad enough, but red turf? I can't even imagine watching a game on TV (or live for that matter) without getting a headache.

Video: Red Turf Trailer New - EWU Football

More photos:



So, should OSU get a gimmick and go with orange turf? Or would that make 46,000 fans heads explode simultaneously?