SB Nation - Alex Linnenkohl

Seven of 12 All-Pac-10 Beavers On First Team

AndyPanda — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:04:45 -0000

Twelve Oregon St. Beaver footballers received All Pac-10 honors, seven on the first team.

Four members of the Beavers' offense are on the first team, including Sean Canfield, quarterback, Jacquizz Rodgers, running back, James Rodgers, wide receiver, and Greg Peat, guard.

Joining the first team from the defense are Keaton Kristick, linebacker, and Stephen Paea, tackle. And Suaesi Tuimaunei was named the first team special teams player that is not a kicker or a return specialist.

The seven were more than any other team placed on the first team.

Placekicker Justin Kahut was named the second team kicker, behind All-American Kai Forbath of UCLA.

Center Alex Linnenkohl was one of four Beavers to receive honorable mention, as were three linebackers, including middle linebacker David Pa'aluhi, and outside linebackers Dwight Roberson and Keith Pankey. Roberson and Pankey are notable for this accomplishment, because neither were full time players, instead splitting time at the position.

The offensive player of the year was Stanford running back Toby Gerhart, while UCLA tackle Brian Price was named the Pat Tillman defensive player of the year.

First year coach Chip Kelly was named the Coach of the Year, after leading the Oregon Ducks to the Pac-10 title, and winning the conference by as much as two games for the first time since 1991.

The complete list is available on the Pac-10 site.

Looking ahead to Oregon State

John Berkowitz — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:21:25 -0000

More photos » by Greg Wahl-Stephens - AP

about 1 month ago: Oregon State's James Rodgers (8) runs in the winning touchdown against UCLA during the final seconds of the second half of NCAA college football in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday Oct 31, 2009. Oregon State beat UCLA 26-19. (AP Photo/Greg Wahl-Stephens)

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Washington's post season hopes are hanging by a thread going into this encounter witht he Oregon State Beavers. Like all Mike Riley teams this squad keeps improving each week and most importantly keeps winning games. Last week it was on the road against Cal and this week it will be at home against Washington.

The Beavers are 4-2 in the Pac 10 race and 6-3 on the season. The losses were to Cincinnati, Arizona, and USC. Left on their slate is Washington, WSU, and Oregon so a finish as high as 9-3 is very possible this season. Even with only two losses the Rose bowl is unlikely. USC would have to lose one more time, Arizona would have to lose twice, and of course they would have to beat the hated Ducks.

The Beavers aren't what I would call a dominant team going into this one but Washington on paper doesn't match up well with these guys. Offensively the Beavers have a lot of firepower with the Rodgers brothers and Sean Canfield. Washington's defense hasn't been able to stop anyone lately and the Beavers sport one of the more explosive offenses in the Pac 10. The top passing team in the Pac 10 isn't a great match for a team ranked 7th in passing defense.

The Beavers lead the conference in passing averaging 279 ypg and balance it out with an average of 131 ypg on the ground. Jacquizz Rodgers averages 109 ypg which isn't that eye popping. What is eye popping is his 15 TD's this season which leads the league. The hidden ingredient in the Beaver's overall stats is all purpose yards. James Rodgers leads the league with an average of 179 ypg! Washington needs to be very careful when they kick the ball in James Rodgers direction.

Defensively the Beavers started the season young and challenged but the front seven has matured enough to start putting pressure on opposing QB's. The defensive backfield is still susceptible to giving up some big yards if you can get time to throw the ball. The Beavs give up an average of 264 ypg through the air and only 100 on the ground.

If Washington is going to pull off the upset they need to be able to run the ball to set up the pass. Chris Polk picked up 134 yards against UCLA on 15 carries. Coach Sarkisian says that when teams aren't expecting the run UW does fine. When teams are looking for the run the Huskies tend to get stuffed which has contributed to the problems scoring in the red zone this season. Washington needs to run the ball better to beat OSU.

Washington also needs to win the special teams battle in this game to have chance to win. James Johnson provided some spark to the return unit against UCLA which is something the staff has been looking for all season. The key in this one is containing James Rodgers on kick and punt returns. Washington can't allow him to get loose.

Jake Locker hasn't had a great game in some time. He is going to need one if Washington is going to have any chance of beating the Beavers in Corvallis. The quad bruise limited his mobility last week even though Sark called a few designed runs for him. Jake was still fast but you could tell he was running a little choppy. Another week of treatment in the training room should help with that.

Jake needs to take advantage of a Beaver secondary that has a propensity for being burned. The Beavs have some fast athletes back there so it isn't like he is going up against a bunch of stiffs. It is just a young secondary that is learning every game. Jake needs to take advantage of their mistakes. Despite the inexperience back there the Beavers play quit a bit man to man coverage. The Washington receivers need to expoit that early and make Oregon State play from behind.

Game Notes

Reggie Davis the Beavers’ first-year running backs coach, is a former Husky tight end and UW graduate.

Oregon State’s current roster includes 11 players that graduated from Washington high schools: PK Matt Barker (Sprague/Gonzaga Prep), OL Grant Enger (Seattle/O’Dea), TE Joe Halahuni (Orting), WR Garett Hall (Olympia), P Johnny Hekker (Bothell), OL, Colin Kelly (Kelso), C Alex Linnenkohl (Olympia/Capital), WR Geno Munoz (Tacoma/Mt. Tahoma), RB Dylan Parsons (Olympia), S Anthony (Burien/Highline) and CB Brian Watkins (Burien/Highline).

Washington leads the overall series with Oregon State 57-32-4.

The teams first met on Dec. 4, 1897, with Oregon State earning a 16-0 home win.

Fall Camp Questions - Offensive Line

Jake Bertalotto — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:31:14 -0000

Coach Cavanaugh's offensive line may be young, but as head coach Mike Riley has said, "they look good coming off the bus." Now, the question remains, will they look good in games? (Photo by Ethan Erickson)

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Fall Camp has concluded at Oregon State, as the team will now move into preparing for their home and season opener against Portland State this Saturday. The Vikings-- who are rumored to be installing more "run" in their "run-and-shoot" this season-- will provide a legitimate test to the Oregon State defense. We'll dive more into that later, but as the old saying goes, "if they don't score, we don't lose." BUT, if they do score, that means that the Oregon State offense will need to be putting points on the board, which likely means that the rebuilt offensive line is doing a good job of opening holes for the likes of Jacquizz Rodgers and Jovann Stevenson.

(This, by the way, is the final installment of our "Fall Camp Questions" series that has been going on throughout the month of August. Don't be surprised if this post feels more like a position-by-position look at this year's O-Line,. as the starters have practically been named at each position. Check out links to the six other posts at the bottom of this entry.)

For the first time in a long time, the Beavers will likely go to battle with the 6-3, 320 pound true freshman giant Michael Philipp as their starting left tackle. Philipp has been worked over in practice several times by Oregon State's speedy defensive linemen--Kevin Frahm especially--but overall, has adapted well to the change of pace. He'll step in as the heir-apparent to Andy Levitre at the left tackle position, and has big shoes to fill-- but the San Bernardino native has the the size, speed, and smarts to pull it off.

OH, AND BY THE WAY... the countdown clock at the left of this page has been properly re-adjusted and is now accurate.

Mike Remmers will play the right tackle position, He's a year removed from starting seven games in place of Tavita Thompson, after walking on. He's since earned a scholarship, and as a sophomore, is becoming a big part of what Oregon State is doing on the offensive line.

Grant Johnson, a Baker City native and also a former walk-on, has perhaps been the biggest surprise of fall camp. Listed on the Pre-Spring Camp depth chart as the back-up center to Alex Linnenkohl, he has won the competition at left guard, and will likely start alongside Michael Philipp when the Beavers take the field this Saturday. His story is a great one, and is told by Jeff Smith of the Oregonian. Basically, Johnson elected to walk-on to the Beavers after growing up a fan-- both his parents went to school in Corvallis-- and after two years in the program, has summited the depth chart, the old-fashioned way.

Alex Linnenkohl returns as a 13-game starter from 2008 and will anchor the offensive line at the center position. He's battled a knee injury throughout camp, but appears to have recovered and should be healthy for Saturday's opener.

Gregg Peat rounds out the group at right guard, and will start next to Remmers. Peat will be a senior this year and is a co-team captain. He also started all 13 games last year, all at right guard.

To review, here is how the group looks, from left to right:

Michael Philipp - Grant Jonson - Alex Linnenkohl - Gregg Peat - Mike Remmers

Overall, offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh is impressed with his young group heading into the season:

"I think we're going to be fine. I'm excited about these guys. We're a little bit young in some spots, but to be honest with you we've got more depth than we've ever had.''

While the Beavers don't have USC-type depth on their offensive line, there are several players who were expected to start on the offensive line before fall camp began who have either been surpassed or lost their spots. Ryan Pohl and Michael Lamb come to mind, and guys like Colin Kelly and Wilder McAndrews also have experience in the program.

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)

Previous "Fall Camp Questions" posts: Quarterback - Running back - Wide receivers - Defensive line - Linebackers - Secondary