Beavers Break Camp with Final Scrimmage

Salem-News.com Sports

CORVALLIS - With a sizeable number of starters on the sidelines for various reasons, the Oregon State University football team held its last scrimmage Saturday before the Aug. 31 season opener against the Eastern Washington Eagles at Reser Stadium.

The most notable players not in the scrimmage included quarterback Matt Moore, running back Yvenson Bernard, tight end Joe Newton, defensive end Jeff Van Orsow and linebackers Alan Darlin and Derrick Doggett.

“The starters have had a very good camp and we know exactly where they are,” Beaver head coach Mike Riley said after being questioned about the regulars not playing. “We wanted to give the guys behind them ample opportunity today.”

Junior quarterback Ryan Gunderson had the most impressive day passing, completing 5 of 6 attempts for 110 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown pass to true freshman Aaron Nichols. Backup signal-callers Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao worked most of the scrimmage, but were sporadic completing 7 of 26.

“We wanted to give the backup quarterbacks some work today, as well as some of the other positions, including running back,” Riley said. “We were very inconsistent offensively so we will need to get back at it in practice.”

In addition to Nichols’ 70-yard touchdown reception, running backs Patrick Fuller, Tony Carrasco and Micah Strickland each scored on the ground. Placekicker Alexis Serna added a pair of 42-yard field goals and Pernnell Booth returned a fumble 69 yards for a score. Carrasco had 101 yards on 14 carries, followed by Clinton Polk with 54 on 17 attempts.

The Beavers return to the practice field Monday.

“I think we’re right on track,” Riley said after being questioned about the status of the team overall to this point. “There has been a lot of good competition. The next phase will be getting ready for the games and bringing the legs back. This team has worked very hard; it has been as good a group as I have been around in terms of working during camp.”

Scoring Summary

Alexis Serna, 42-yard FG

Pernnell Booth, 69-yard fumble return

Alexis Serna 42-yard FG

Patrick Fuller 1-yard run

Aarron Nichols 70-yard pass from Ryan Gunderson

Micah Strickland 1-yard run

Tony Carrasco 8-yard run

Statistics

Rushing (No-Yds-TD)

Clinton Polk, 17-54-0; Patrick Fuller, 6-29-1; Andy Stewart, 4-27-0; Tony Carrasco, 14-101-1; Micah Strickland, 1-1-0

Passing (Att-Comp-Int-Yds-TD)

Ryan Gunderson, 6-5-0-110-1; Sean Canfield, 11-3-0-49-0; Lyle Moevao, 15-4-0-75-0; Tim Sim, 3-1-1-(-)2-0; Mana Silva, 3-2-0-46-0

Receiving (No-Yds-TD)

Matt Frosland, 1-9-0; Anthony Wheat-Brown, 1-34-0; Brandon Powers, 1-10-0; Aaron Nichols, 2-83-1; Matt Sieverson, 1-37-0; Shane Morales, 2-21-0; Ruben Jackson, 2-54-0; Clinton Polk, 1-5-0; Micah Strickland, 3-25-0

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