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Oregon State Beavers vs Sacramento State Hornets Football Preview

The 2010 college football season was not kind to the Oregon State Beavers. The numbers show that the Beavers ranked 94th in total offense and 86th in total defense last season. What those numbers don’t show, however, is the Beavers played four top-10 teams that finished the year a combined 49-3. Residual effects from such a challenging schedule wore down the Beavers, resulting in a 5-7 record. The OSU roster was banged up last season, particularly at the skill positions, but even in light of the Beavers’ reduced amount of resources, they lost games they frankly should have won. A roadie at UCLA and a home game at Washington State should have been tucked into the win column, but a complete inability of the offense to perform is what created a bowl-free season for the Beavers. The underachieving witnessed in the 2010 season stood in stark contrast to the overachievement that has defined Oregon State football during the tenure of highly successful head coach Mike Riley. After an aberrational season, the Beavers need to get back on the beam and affirm their positive reputation, which took a hit the last time they sojourned through 12 autumnal Saturdays.

The schedule – which was particularly daunting a year ago – gives no favors to OSU once again this year, but before the masochism begins, the season starts with Sacramento State out of the Big Sky.

> Browse the great selection of Oregon State Beavers Apparel online as well as the Pac 10 Football Scoreboard!

Ryan Katz showed promise in his first year at the helm of the offense, completing 60 percent of his passes for 2,401 yards. However, Katz’s poise and leadership abilities were found to be lacking. After a third-quarter meltdown in a midseason game at Washington, Katz never regained equilibrium and basically hijacked the OSU season with one subpar performance after another. Katz is the one man who has to be well above average if Oregon State is to do anything substantial this season.

The Beavers will also have to find a way to replace all-everything running back Jacquizz Rodgers in addition to dealing with injuries to leading receivers James Rodgers and Joe Halahuni. Both are expected to play this season, but an exact time when either will be at full speed is unknown, so both might miss the opener. Markus Wheaton should see plenty of action on offense to carry the load while Rogers and Halahuni get healthy. Plenty of injuries have plagued Oregon State’s defense as well, which will have to deal with an experienced Hornets offense. Quarterback Jeff Fleming (2,044 passing yards), running back Bryan Hilliard (914 rushing yards), and receiver Chase Daedder (788 receiving yards) all return for their senior seasons.   Injuries to Oregon State’s secondary players Josh LaGrone (career-ending knee injuries) and Brian Hardin (shoulder) could hamper the Beavers in this game. Sacramento State may be able to hang around for longer than expected.

By Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer