2009 Oregon State Beavers Football Preview
2009 Oregon State Beavers season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Oregon State Beavers football preview as well as the 2009 Oregon State Beavers Football Schedule. Haven't had much luck beating your bookie? This season up your chances and order Maddux's winning college football picks.
Coach: Mike Riley (9th year at Oregon State)
Team Name: Beavers
2008 Overall Record: 9-4
Returning Starters: 10
Since 2003, the Oregon State Beavers (9- 4 overall, 7- 2 Pac-10) have been to five bowl games, winning every one. Last season, they tied for second in the conference with the Oregon Ducks and then traveled to the Sun Bowl where they beat the Pittsburgh Panthers 3- 0. In their past three seasons they have won nine or more games. Can they continue this trend in 2009?
It’s hoped the senior QB Lyle Moevao (361 ATT, 214 COMP, 2, 534 YDs, 13 INTs, 19 TDs) is ready to start after undergoing rotator cuff surgery in the off-season. If not, then senior backup Sean Canfield (84 ATT, 56 COMP, 703 YDs, 2 INTs, 6 TDs) will get the nod. The Beaver offense averaged 30.5 PPG last season. TB Jacquizz Rodgers (259 ATT, 1,253 YDs, 11 TDs) averaged 4.8 YPC last season as a true freshman. He also caught 29 passes for 247 yards and one touchdown. All of that production earned him the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year Award. The running unit is deep while the receiving squad has lost both primary starters. WR Darrell Catchings (7 REC, 95 YDs, 0 TDs), a junior, will be expected to step up. Three top performers are gone from the O-line but Mike Cavanaugh is one of the best line coaches around and should whip that group into shape.
The defense, which held opponents to 23.1 PPG, has lost 22 of its 39 sacks with the departure of Victor Butler and Slade Norris. DT Stephen Paea (41 TKLs, 5 SKs, 6 TFL) is the only starter back on the frontline. The linebacking unit looks strong with senior SLB Keaton Kristick (82 TKLs, 3.5 SKs, 10.5 TFL) and junior WLB Keith Pankey (43 TKLs, 1 SK, 4.5 TFL) returning to offer stability and big play ability. Not one starter returns to the secondary but each new player has seen plenty of action.
The special teams look good on kick returns, with James Rodgers (33 RET, 818 YDs, 24.8 YPR, 1 TD) ready to break one at any time. Senior Taylor Kavanaugh will be this year’s punt return specialist. As a freshman, punter Johnny Hekker (59 Punts, 2,342 YDs 39.0 YPP, 23 In20) struggled at the start of the season but steadily improved. The same cold be said for placekicker Justin Kahut (36- 38 ExPts, 16- 24 FG), who was bothered by a leg problem early in the season. Experience and good health should benefit these guys.
Head coach Mike Riley (56- 42 in eight years with Oregon State) has recruited the top rated guard in the nation—Michael Philipp. Last season, the team lost its away opener to Stanford 28- 36 and its home opener to Penn State 14- 45. They then won eight of their last 10 regular season games, including beating USC 27- 21 and California 34- 21. This year they have a favorable schedule that includes Portland State, UNLV and Cincinnati. Their conference opener versus Arizona State on the road on October 3 is huge. That contest could define this team. The Beavers will finish fourth or fifth in the Pac-10, earning an invite to a middle or low tier bowl game.
Oregon State Beavers Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Oregon St. | Portland St. | home | ||||
| 9/12/2009 | Oregon St. | UNLV | away | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Oregon St. | Cincinnati | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Oregon St. | Arizona | home | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Oregon St. | Arizona St. | away | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Oregon St. | Stanford | home | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Oregon St. | USC | away | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Oregon St. | UCLA | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Oregon St. | California | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Oregon St. | Washington | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Oregon St. | Washington St. | away | ||||
| 12/3/2009 | Oregon St. | Oregon | away |
For more info on the 2009 Oregon State Beavers football program, view the Beavers football site or you can read about other Pac-10 teams below.
