Oregon State Preview

Overview
This is the first ever meeting between the Oregon State Beavers and PSU. OrSU is in a rebuilding year after finishing last season with a 9-4 record including a win over Maryland in the Emerald Bowl. The Beavers lose two starting offensive linemen and their entire starting defensive front seven. While these may sound like severe losses that can’t be overcome, it isn’t actually the case. OrSU linemen do have experience and talent. But do the OrSU linemen have enough time in their current positions in actual game situations as a working unit? This game will tell.

OrSU will be visiting Happy Valley for their second game of the season. Their first game is against Stanford. The difference between Stanford football and PSU football are too many to list. Penn State will have a huge advantage in the home crowd that will be several orders of magnitude louder than Stanford. This will be the biggest venue that OrSU has every played and perhaps the most hostile one.

Looking Forward to the Game
Date: September 6, 2008
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Place: Beaver Stadium
Coverage: ABC

After the first week of conservative football against Coastal Carolina, Penn State will have to show more of their offense to win against OrSU. This game has a definite purpose on the PSU schedule. More than any other game in September, the OrSU game is a true game of preparation. OrSU is faster, stronger and better than all other teams PSU faces in September. Penn State will have bump it up a notch and focus on the following things to claim victory:

1. Ground Attack
OrSU was ranked #1 in the country in rushing defense last year. While the Beavers have a new defensive front seven, they are still expected to be good. By far, OrSU will provide the best defensive challenge to PSU in September. PSU needs to establish a ground attack in this game. If they don’t, you will see my high expectations diminish for the year. How to measure: Combined rushing yards (TB, FB, QB, SL) over 200 yards – tailback over 100 yards.

2. Home Field Advantage
Everyone in the Nittany Nation talks about the home field advantage. Coach Paterno needs to use this to his advantage. If possible, kick-off to OrSU to the start the game. Kick the ball through the end zone. Play begins on the 20. Do what it takes to have a three and out series with OrSU punting from its own 10 yard line. Use the short field to immediately score. There a number of variations on this, for instance and intercepted pass returned for a touchdown. And of course, sacking the OrSU QB would definitely pump up the crowd. The outcome desired is show strong defense and quickly scoring capability. How to measure: Three and out on first OrSU series. TD on first PSU possession.

3. Field Position
There would be nothing that I would enjoy more than a defensive battle, but what I enjoy is quite different that what pollsters enjoy. PSU needs to put points on the board, and do that frequently. Given OrSU’s strong defense, PSU has to take advantage of field position. This is done through PSU’s defense and special teams. Given a short field, PSU’s offense is more likely to put up more points. How to measure: Average non-kickoff starting field position: PSU 45 yard line.

Offensive Line

The Beaver’s offensive line lost two very good linemen, guard Roy Schuening and center Kyle DeVan to graduation. A third lineman, Tavita Thompson (SR/6-6/308) is ineligible to play until November 1. Thompson started the first 7 games of last season before being ruled ineligible. HC Mike Riley has not disclosed the reason for Thompson’s ineligibility citing student privacy laws. With the loss of three starters, OrSU has a lot of rebuilding to do.

This is nearly a complete overhaul of the OrSU line. PSU is returning all starters on their offensive line. This gives PSU a significant edge in game experience – particularly when playing as a unit and in the same position. OrSU has had to do some position juggling, moving players from one side of the line to the other. LT Andy Levitre (SR/6-3/324) started 12 games last year. Levitre was moved to LT for the final three games after starting 9 games at RT. At RG, Adam Speer (SR/6-3/301) is the leading candidate. Speer started ten games at LG and moved to RG towards the end of last season.

Jeremy Perry (SR/6-2/334) is the likely starter at LG. Perry was the projected starter last season at LG before suffering a broken leg in the first game of the season. Perry’s rehab is vital to the Beavers success. Perry was on the Outland and Lombardi watch lists for the past two years. With the loss of DeVan, OrSU has two main choices for the center position, Marcus Henderson (SR/6-4/277) and Ryan Pohl (RSO/6-3/288). Center is the most skilled position on the line, and filling DeVan’s position will be difficult.

The RT spot, previously held by ineligible Thompson, is a question mark. Michael Cole (SR/6-6/298) a JUCO transfer saw action last season at tackle. Starting on the depth chart according to Rivals.com is Mike Remmers (RFR/6-4/283) and backup Timi Oshinowo (SO/6-5/308).

HC Mike Riley is optimistic, stating, “The silver lining of last season on the line is that several guys experienced a new position and we had some guys learn what it’s like to start in this league. No question we have two very big holes to fill with the loss of Schuening and DeVan, but at the same time we are in better position this year for some new guys to make major contributions.”

Quarterbacks

There may be a quarterback controversy in Corvallis. Sean Canfield (JR/6-4/218) traded injuries with Lyle Moevao (JR/5-11/226) last season. Canfield started the first nine games of 2007 until he had an injury to his throwing shoulder. Moevao picked up the slack until he was injured and Canfield replaced Moevao in the Emerald Bowl with a 21-14 win over Maryland.

Canfield finished the 2007 season with 1,661 yards passing, 9 TDs with 165 completions on 286 attempts. Canfield threw 15 interceptions on the year. Moevao passed 876 yards (77-147-6) with two TDs. Moevao established himself as a leader, going undefeated in games that he started, including a Civil War victory over Oregon. Moevao received the majority of snaps at spring camp since Canfield was rehabilitating his injury.

Running Backs

So here’s the deal with OrSU’s running game: See Offensive Line. If the Beaver’s offensive line can come together, then there is some hope. OrSU needs to replace both their tailback and fullback this season. Ryan McCants (RFR/6-1/225) is the apparent starter at tailback. There is no fullback on the roster, so a change in positions may be in order to fill the position. (Looking at OrSU’s roster there are no running backs in the 240lbs range.) Backing up McCants will probably be JUCO transfer Jeremy Francis (JR/5-11/217).

On paper, the outlook for OrSU’s running game is not great. They need to break in a new tailback with essentially a new offensive line. That takes a lot of work. Facing PSU in the second game of the season isn’t enough time. However, OrSU’s running game will more than likely be a completely different beast by the end of the season.
Receivers

OrSU has a boat load of tight ends. Howard Croom (JR/6-3/248) leads the pack at starting TE. The Beavers run a lot of 2 and 3 receiver sets. At SE, Sammie Stroughter (SR/6-0/189) returns after a season ending injury last year. Stroughter was an All-American in 2006 and is a force to be reckoned. Stroughter will be backed up with Chris Johnson (SR/6-1/198). Johnson played in nine games last season with 7 receptions for a total of 93 yards.

James Rodgers (SO/5-7/179) has speed. Rodgers will play any other receiver positions, but will start at either SL or FL. Rodgers is also known to run the “devastating” Fly-Sweep. This should not pose a significant problem for the Penn State defense. It is known quantity, and PSU has the defensive speed to shut it down.

At SL, Shane Morales (SR/6-1/199) returns after 13 games of experience in 2007 when he had 16 receptions for 115 yards. At FL, Darrell Catchings (SO/5-11/174) is the team’s leading returning receiver. Catchings had 33 receptions for 386 yards in 2007.

The receiving corps is probably the most talented and stable units on the Beavers. In terms of impact in the PSU game, a lot is up to Penn State’s defensive line. PSU returns a highly experience defensive line, perhaps one of the best in the nation, that is able to rush and sack quarterbacks. If Canfield is on his can most of the game, the OrSU receiving corps will be neutralized.

Defensive Line

The Beavers lead all of college football in rushing defense in 2007. In 2008, the entire front seven are gone. However, three returning players saw considerable action. Pernnell Booth (SR/6-1/302) has three years of experience at DT. Booth missed spring camp with a foot injury. Victor Butler (SR/6-2/238) and Slade Norris (SR/6-3/254) have earned three and two varsity letters respectively at DE. Butler and Norris combined for 19.5 sacks and 213 lost yards as third down pass rushers last season.

The real big question mark for OrSU’s defensive line is at the other tackle spot and backups across the board. Stephen Paea (SO/6-1/303) is a JUCO transfer is at the top of the depth chart at the other tackle position. The only other lineman that has earned a letter is Mitchell Hunt (SO/6-2/285), although he has been plagued by injuries for the past two years.

The OrSU defensive line will be facing a solid PSU offensive line that has all returning starters and nearly two years of playing together. This will be a formable battle in the trenches for the Beavers.

Linebackers

The loss of OrSU’s defensive front seven includes three linebackers, Derrick Dogget, Alan Darlin and Joey LaRocque. However, the Beavers are not starting from scratch in filling their linebacker spots. There are several linebackers that have considerable experience. At WLB, Keith Pankey (SO/6-3/210) saw enough action last year to earn a letter. Pankey played in 10 games with 8 solo tackles and 2 assists. Pankey will probably be backed up by Dwight Roberson (SO/6-0/234) who had 10 solo tackles and 2 assists last year.

At the SLB spot, Keaton Kristick (JR/6-3/227) returns after having playing in 13 games with 6 solo tackles and 9 assists. At MLB, Bryant Cornell (SR/6-1/235) will be sole starting senior of OrSU’s linebackers. Cornell has lettered in all three of his three years with the Beavers, playing in 12 games in 2007 with 5 solo tackles and 8 assists.

There really is no comparison between PSU and OrSU’s linebackers. PSU is Linebacker-U. Despite the loss of Sean Lee to injury, PSU has a stable of linebackers and the best linebacker coach in college football. PSU returns with experience and talent.

Secondary

OrSU’s secondary is the most experienced defensive unit on the Beavers. Cornerbacks, Brandon Hughs (SR/5-11/177) and Keenan Lewis (SR/6-1/199) both have lettered in the three previous seasons. Hughes and Lewis have a combined 65 starts. At the safety position, Al Afalava (SR/5-11/212) and Greg Layborum (SR/5-10/201) return. Bryan Payton another senior safety left the football program in July after playing in 26 games with six starts. (This was probably due to academics.)

Afalava is the returning team leader in tackles. Afalava had had 56 solo tackles, 8 assists with one sack, no INTs. Hughes is 2nd in returning tacklers with 43 solos and 14 assists and 2 picks.

It will be interesting to see how PSU’s receiving tandem of Butler, Norwood, and Williams handle this talented OrSU secondary. The amount of experience between PSU receivers and OrSU’s secondary is immense – and talent on both sides of the ball. But of course to keep this Happy Jack happy, all that Penn State needs to do is handoff the ball.

Special Teams

On the kicking side of special teams, the Beavers have little experience. OrSU is breaking in a new kicker, Justin Kahut (SO/5-8/158). Kahut made one field goal in 2007 on one attempt. Sean Sehmen (JR/5-11/195) is a transfer from Western New Mexico University and has yet to see a snap as a Beaver. Sehmen is slated as the starting punter for OrSU.

Sammie Stroughter, the talented WR will see punt return duties with Taylor Kavanaugh (JR/5-10/174). Kavanaugh will also see action as the holder. James Rodgers and Patrick Henderson (JR/5-10/180) will be returning kicks. Rodgers returned 5 kicks in 2007 for 122 yards. Henderson returned 1 kick for 11 yards. Stroughter is perhaps the most dangerous return man if he can remain healthy. However, facing PSU punt defense is a difficult task. PSU allowed a stingy 5.3 yards per punt return in 2007.

In terms of PSU special teams, Williams and Wallace will have return duties. Williams returned 23 punts for 254 yards, 1 TD on a long punt return of 78 yards. Wallace is returning kickoffs after have 22 returns and 581 yards in 2007. Wallace had a long kick off return of 97 yards for a TD. On the other side of the ball, Jeremy Boone led the Big Ten in punting in 2008 and Kevin Kelly is Mr. Reliable when it comes to PATs and field goals.

Preseason Prediction
Penn State wins. With OrSU replacing their defensive front seven and this being the second game of the season, OrSU’s defensive will not have hit their stride. OrSU has to face a well seasoned PSU offensive line, with all starters returning. PSU’s defensive line will also be too much for OrSU’s offensive line to handle. This game will be won in the trenches.