April 5, 2012

Corvallis, Ore. -

When you think of the best modern day defensive ends to wear a Beaver uniform the names Inoke Breckterfield, Bill Swancutt, Victor Butler, Slade Norris, Jeff Van Orsow, Dorian Smith, LaDairis Jackson and DeLawrence Grant come to mind. It seems pretty likely after just one season that Scott Crichton and Dylan Wynn are destined to join that roster.

Crichton, a redshirt-freshman last season, made 74 tackles in his initial year on his way to Freshman All-America honors. The Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention and the league's defensive Player of the Week in the victory over Washington State forced a school single season record of six fumbles - just three short of OSU's career mark.

Wynn was one of a school record 10 true freshmen to play last season and like Crichton captured All-America honors. He was the beneficiary of several of Crichton's caused fumbles by making a single season school record five recoveries, also just three short of the school's high mark. He had 44 tackles for the year.

As a whole, the defensive line is building depth that was so crucial in the recent run of bowl games. A total of 11 returning lettermen are in the program this spring, including three-year letterman tackle Andrew Seumalo, two-year lettermen Devon Kell, Mana Rosa and John Braun, and joining Crichton and Wynn on the one-year lettermen roster are Joe Lopez, Rusty Fernando, Rudolf Fifita and Mana Tuivailala. Run-stopper Castro Masaniai, also a three-year letterman, will return in August from an injury.

The OSU video staff produced the following clip and postpractice interviews with defensive line coach Joe Seumalo. Saturday the wide receivers will be featured; a unit that may be the best on the team.

Of special note, the 9th Annual The Other Side Talent Show and Silent Auction will be held Tues., April 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the La Sells Stewart Center on campus. A suggested donation of $5 will be accepted at the door with all proceeds benefiting OSU IMPACT, a physical activity program for children, youth, and young adults with special needs. Most of OSU's intercollegiate teams will be represented, with sophomore offensive guard Michael Beaton performing a solo to highlight the football team's participation.

Make sure to join Beaver Nation at Fan Fest April 28 (details coming soon) at Reser Stadium. Season ticket holders have until April 20 to renew while new season ticket deposits will be accepted beginning at Fan Fest with a $50 non-refundable deposit per seat.