Aug. 13, 2010

Practicing in full pads just sounds different. More popping. Harder hitting. The wonderful sounds autumn reached a full crescendo at Friday's Oregon State football practice, the first of the season in full pads, at Tommy Prothro Football Complex.

The Beavers were joined at the practice field by nearly 200 fans, as the BBQ with the Beavers was set to get started right after practice in the Prothro parking lot adjacent to the field. The ohs and ahs were enjoyed by the offense after great receptions and were used as jeers by the defensive players in mock appreciation of their counterparts.

"It's a great atmosphere," Riley said. "I appreciate our people putting this on for us. I think everybody enjoys this including the players. It always livens up practice a little bit when people `oh' and `ah.'"

As usual there were several media members in attendance to make record of anything they deemed "Tweet-able" or blogworthy. Paul Buker and Jim Beseda represented The Oregonian, Cliff Kirkpatrick was on hand from the Corvallis Gazette-Times and Bud Withers of the Seattle Times spent the day tracking down the scoop on OSU football. KEZI-TV from Eugene and KPTV from Portland were also in attendance. The media attention for the Beavers continues to be great as Gabe Miller and Mark Banker talked to Sports Illustrated for an upcoming story about Stephen Paea, Mike Riley and Ryan Katz talked to Sporting News today and Jacquizz Rodgers was on the JOX Radio Network out of Birmingham, Ala. Riley is also scheduled to be on the air with Fox Sports Radio with Dan Moriarty and Derrick Deese tomorrow at 12:15 p.m.

On the field, Oregon State finished installing its offense on the fifth day of practice with the goal line package. There were several highlights in the team drills:
• Jacquizz Rodgers won a jump ball in the corner of the end zone over Dwight Roberson.
• Lance Mitchell made a plethora of plays including interceptions both going into the end zone and coming out as well as several pass break-ups.
• Once again, Aaron Nichols made a great play in the end zone. After getting jammed and twisted around by Brandon Hardin and Suaesi Tuimaunei, Nichols stuck with the play to make a spinning touchdown catch along the end line.
• John Reese came back to the quarterback and came down with a jump ball for a touchdown.
• Markus Wheaton (bruised shoulder) returned to practice and scored twice during goal line drills.
• Anthony Watkins made a nice play stepping in front of a receiver to break up a pass at the goal line.
• Cameron Collins batted a would-be touchdown out of Reese's hands.
• Cody Vaz connected with freshman Tyler Perry for a touchdown on a drag route.
• Ryan McCants ran hard at the goal line bullying his way into the end zone twice.
• Shortly after getting smacked by Roberson on a run play, fullback Will Darkins took out his aggression on Rashaad Reynolds sending Reynolds' helmet flying.
• Brady Camp displayed soft hands throughout practice with several touchdown catches.

Sitting out of practice Friday were Darrell Catchings (groin), Geno Munoz (hamstring) and Michael Philipp (broken nose). Philipp is hopeful to return to action on Saturday.

Practice resumes Saturday with OSU's first double day. The morning practice is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at Prothro Field with the second practice slated for 6:30 p.m. at Reser Stadium. Both practices are open to the public.

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