SB Nation - Taylor Kavanaugh

Season Riding On How The Wind Blows?

AndyPanda — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:39:10 -0000

Amidst all the issues swirling around Beaver Nation lately, the swirling that matters as much as any is the actual swirling the wind is doing.

The wind was a major factor in Las Vegas, so much so it was a game changer, and nearly an outcome changer. Mike Parker repeatedly brought the issue up in his game and post-game coverage.

Back home at Reser to play the Cincinnati Bearcats, the wind was blowing in, funneled between the Valley Football Center and Gill Coliseum, and as a result, blowing right into the southeast end zone. So hard, I noted when I first walked into the stadium, and was hit full force by it, that the wind would again be a big factor.

Sure enough, Bearcats quarterback Tony Pike did all his damage working with the wind. And against the Arizona Wildcats, it was even more pronounced.

Much has correctly been made of the impact that Arizona punter Keenyn Crier had, dropping three punts inside the Beaver 5 yard line, plus a couple of touchbacks. And a lightly covered topic was why the more explosive James Rodgers wasn't back to return the last couple of punts, deferring to Taylor Kavanaugh, considered the more sure ball handler.

It seems Rodgers was lifted for Kavanaugh in large part due to being less comfortable with the cross-flow of the coverage, especially a large lineman. But then a misjudgement by the more experienced Kavanaugh, who is no where near the breakaway threat Rodgers is, contributed to the ultimate outcome of one of those game-changing punts.

The view from the endzone

In defense of both Rodgers, Kavanaugh, that wind was wicked. Most fans in the stadium, the coaches until they look at tape shot from the end-zone postgame, and everyone watching on television, don't see anything that gives them any idea of just how much of an effect the wind was having. But when viewed from about the same perspective James and Taylor had, with the ball traveling left to right about as much as it went down field, and not on anything close to a straight line, the challenge of reading the ball really becomes evident.

Further, successful returns are based on getting up field, and fast, while drifting laterally not only eliminates forward momentum, it makes you a sitting duck.

That can't be used as an excuse, after all, these are Pac-10 grade kick returners. However, it does bring up the strategic issue of accounting for the wind, and making choices at the start of halves mindful of the impact of the wind in the fourth quarter. Perhaps taking the wind instead of the ball?

Because regardless of one's position on the "Sean vs. Lyle" question, or the issues with play calling or the offensive line, there is no question that a minimum of 100 yards of field position, no safety, and five more opportunities to have James Rodgers running loose in the open with the ball, would have had a significant impact on the Arizona game. Regardless of whether it's Sean, Lyle, or KEJO radio analyst Jon Warren, at quarterback.

Field position and play calling also have a profound affect on the defense, including its issues with QB pressure, the linebacker assignments, and the much-discussed secondary, too.

When a team is really good, or really bad, lots of things don't spill over to impact other areas of the team, program, etc. They all still do affect each other, just not enough to make game changing differences. Right now though, with games going down to the end, and seemingly every aspect of Beaver football operating on the edge, everything ripples thru.

In a year where the Pac-10 is wide open, no one should need reminded of the financial cross-campus and cross-conference impacts of each win on TV and bowl deals either.

In the next few weeks, significant developments are coming in all these hotly debated aspects of Beaver football. Some probably with better results (from the Beavers' perspective) than others. And when the people being paid 6 & 7 figure salaries, us media types paid considerably less, and Beaver (and other Pac-10) fans footing the bill all start to analyze the "Why did it work out the way it did?" question, it might be largely due to which way the wind was blowing.

Fall Camp Questions - Receivers

Jake Bertalotto — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:10:03 -0000

Jordan Bishop has had a strong fall, and looks to compete for playing time at slotback. (Photo by Ethan Erickson)

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What a fall it has already been for the wide receivers.

First, there were questions of whether Darrell Catchings could fill the void of the departed Sammie Stroughter. Then he suffered a wrist injury, and was expected to be out for the season. Then, the news came that in fact the injury wasn't a fracture as originally stated. Long story short, No. 15 could be back for Oregon State's second game against UNLV.

But beyond Darrell, some other interesting things have happened in the receiving corps this season. When Darrell first went down, true-freshman Marcus Wheaton really looked like he had the wherewithal to handle being put into the spotlight so early in his career. Could he have got open as a split end against Pac-10 defensive backs as a freshman? We may never know. But definitely expect to see a lot more out of this kid as the years go on.

This is now the fifth "Fall Camp Questions" post of camp, (Linebackers, Defensive Line, Secondary, Running Back) and as I write this, I get the feeling that the post would look a lot different had I sat down to write it back on August 10, when fall camp began.

James Rodgers, OSU's stud flanker, has battled a minor knee injury (just a bruise, we hear) throughout camp and missed some practices, but it's nothing that should be long term. Everything we've heard points to both Rodgers' brothers being stronger and faster this season... as if they weren't fast enough already. Expect him to only improve this year, if he can stay injury-free, and help to fill the Sammie-void.

At slotback, we now have two players competing to be the next Shane Morales. Heading into camp, it looked like 6-2 junior Casey Kjos would be the sure-fit at slotback, but Jordan Bishop, the redshirt freshman from West Salem, is giving Kjos a run for his money. Riley seemingly dubbed Kjos as "the next Morales", and the coaches continue to be high on the Ohio native. After all, he's older and more experienced. After all, it took Morales three years after transferring from the College of the Canyons to really mature and figure things out in the slot.

To me, Jordan Bishop first seemed like another Oregon-born guy who would generate some attention as a recruit, then disappear from the map for a few years as he advanced through the program. But now, Bishop really looks like a guy who could contribute as a redshirt-freshman. Not only did he turn heads at West Salem High School, he took the 2008 Les Schwab Bowl by storm with 2 TD's on his way to being named the game's MVP. I heard some ranting and raving about Jordan last year during his redshirt year, but never expected it to amount to much until I've continued to hear great things about him the spring and fall. He has the athleticism to go up and get balls in a crowd, and has the speed to separate from defensive backs. He's definitely the flashier of the two candidates at slotback, but once he gets enough experience to know the playbook in-and-out so he can focus more on his skills-- watch out.

Other receivers who will play a role include Geno Munoz, another redshirt freshman, and Damola Adeniji, the senior walk-on. Taylor Kavanaugh could also be in the mix at some point.

The depth chart at all three wide receivers has been shifting considerably in the first two weeks of fall camp. Will it change even more before OSU's September 5 opener versus Portland State?

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

Kavanaugh Gets $, Catchings Catches A (Bad) Break

AndyPanda — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:17:30 -0000

The latest biggest news from the Valley Football Center consists of two items, one good, one, not so much.

First, the good news. Graduated senior receiver Taylor Kavanaugh finally has received a scholarship. The Lincoln High grad, from Portland, has also graduated from OSU after spring term, with a degree in construction engineering management, but is currently working toward a second degree in civil engineering while also working on special teams and the Beaver's offense.

Kavanaugh has worked out of all three of OSU's receiving spots, but has primarily made his mark on special teams. This will be his third season as the team's holder, and is also the Beavers' only experienced punt returner.

"Taylor Kavanaugh was awarded a scholarship, and we were proud to do it. It is obviously well deserved," head coach Mike Riley said.

(Taylor Cavanaugh, OSU Profile photo.)

The bad news is that another receiver, first team wide receiver Darrell Catchings, is injured. During a blocking drill during Saturday's evening practice, Catchings was hit from behind. As a result, he jammed his wrist into a defender. The result was a small fracture.

"It's not anything bad, surgery-wise, not that that means I know how long he's going to be out," Riley said. "We need to find out how long we need to prepare for this. I'm just hoping it's not too long. We can make some adjustments right now and then slide him back in without making too much commotion."

Catchings saw the doctor today (Monday) for a further evaluation, after X-rays revealed a small fracture.

Catchings' bad break was one everyone hoped would not be not too bad, one that would mean he would be out about 4 weeks, and probably miss both the season opener against Portland St., and the trip to Las Vegas.

As a result, true freshman Markus Wheaton may have caught a good break. The speedy receiver moved from being behind James Rodgers at flanker out to split end.

"We're going to put (Markus Wheaton) over there a little bit and kind of spoon-feed that (position) and try to maintain what we have besides that."

Wheaton who had already attracted some attention in first week practices, immediately impressed during practice, with an over-the shoulder catch, and a stop-on-a-dime route on the sideline.

Wheaton also stands to see some time as a punt returner once the season starts because of his blazing speed, so much that practice-watchers are wondering if he can beat James Rodgers in a foot race. And there will be no redshirt for Wheaton, according to Riley.

"We have to get him ready. I don't want to not redshirt him, and then not play him.''

Late word suggested, however, that Catchings had indeed caught a bad break, as OSU sports information director Steve Fenk advised Monday night that it appears Catchings will have surgery this week, and would probably be lost for the season.

In the silver lining department, Catchings fortunately still has a redshirt year available, and will be able to retain his two remaining years of eligibility.

Over The Dam - 6.4.09

Jake Bertalotto — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:28:50 -0000

The new name for this post has kind of stuck.... let's take a look at what's going Over the Dam today:

--Oregon State men's soccer coach Dana Taylor resigned yesterday to accept a similar position at Cal State- Stanislaus, a DII program. "I want to thank (athletic director) Bob De Carolis and the entire Oregon State athletic department and community for an incredible opportunity and 10 great years," Taylor said. That's sad news for the soccer team, which went 79-98-14 overall under Taylor.

--Women's crew coach Emily Ford was named Pac-10 conference coach of the year yesterday. She directed the Beavers to fourth place in the Pac-10 and the Varsity 8 boat finished third at the Pac-10 championships and 15th at the NCAA championships.

--On the subject of rowing, the men's team will begin competition today at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association championships at Lake Notoma in Rancho Cordova, Calif. According to the article on the Gazette-Times' site, the competition is considered that National Championships of rowing, as the NCAA does not sponsor a men's championship regatta.

--Oregon State Athletic Director Bob De Carolis has released his latest A.D. Report, which paints a grim picture on donations to the BASF so far this year. The report can be found here, and here's a brief excerpt:

Like universities and athletic departments across the country, Oregon State is definitely feeling the pain of the country's ongoing economic downturn. The magnitude of the issue and its effect on our athletics program came into sharp focus recently when we tallied the results from our annual BASF (Beaver Athletic Scholarship Fund) fund-raising effort. To date, we've received just more than $10 million in pledges for the coming year--down about $1 million or 9 percent compared with last year. Although last month's AD Report indicated we had an initial gain in donors, numbers at that time were preliminary. In reality, we lost about 1,000 donors, but gained about 400 new contributors for a net loss of approximately 600.

While we've been digesting the fund-raising news, our football season ticket sales situation has come into view as well. So far, we have about a 12 percent non-renewal rate and are down approximately 1,200 season tickets. We've launched our "I AM ORANGE" advertising campaign to spur sales and are optimistic that these numbers will improve. But we won't know the full story regarding season tickets until late summer.

With that said, you can make your contribution to the BASF here. And if you're looking for more information, you can read Brooks Hatch's take as well as Paul Buker's.

--A couple more things... this isn't really related to Oregon State at all, but the NBA has released results from a study regarding bias of their officials. Rachel Bauchman analyzes the results on OregonLive.... (emphasis mine)

An academic study of NBA officiating found little to no evidence that referees favor teams from large media markets in the playoffs, a favorite conspiracy theory of skeptical fans.

But the same study found that NBA referees tend to favor home teams, teams trailing in a game and teams trailing in a playoff series. The study, conducted by three economics researchers, fuels the perennial debate about the influence of NBA officials on games. It suggests that forces ranging from league executives to simple human psychology can influence calls in a measurable way -- though not always enough to affect a game's outcome.

The researchers looked at six seasons of turnover statistics. They used ones where referees wield relatively little influence, such as a bad pass or steal, as a "control" group, and compared them with ones where referees wield greater influence, such as traveling and offensive fouls.

Do you think these small biases are a big deal? Do you think they carry over into college athletics?

--And finally, I've failed to touch yet on the annual Benny Awards, which went down at Oregon State on Tuesday. Male athlete of the year with to Jacquizz Rodgers, coach of the year was a time (lame, but deserved) between Mike Riley and Craig Robinson, and football brought home the team of the year for the 2008 season. Also, football's Taylor Kavanaugh, a pal of the blog, was a recepient of a Glenn Klein Community Service Award.

Well done, Beaver student-athletes. Check out the full run-down of award winners.

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