Aug. 22, 2011

During Spring Ball, we began a series of “Getting to Know” articles, and ended up with a couple extras. Once again with apologies to Ashley Theeler, who put in the time to do the interviews and transcribe them, as well as to Terron Ward, whose profile was delayed, Meet Terron Ward.

Freshman Terron Ward, from Antioch, Calif., is a running back who knows there are some big shoes to be filled at the position after Jacquizz Rodgers left Oregon State early for the National Football League. Ward is one possibility in a talented stable of rushers in waiting.

Football brought him to Oregon State but he also lettered in track at De La Salle High School. With speed and agility being two of his strong suits, Ward has high expectations for himself and plans to spend plenty of time on the field this fall. Ward finished off his high school career winning the state championship, was team captain, receiving all-state recognition and was awarded MaxPreps Division 1 California Player of the Year and Bay Area Athlete of the Year. Ward plans to back up his list of credentials with his talent.

Q: What is your favorite thing about Oregon State?

A: “Living in the dorms. Being able to live with all of my teammates has been really great.”

 

Q: Coming from California, how did you know that OSU would be the right fit?

A: “When I came on my visit, they showed me a good family atmosphere. I went to high school in California, so I kind of felt like home there. I like the tradition of small running backs like Jacquizz (Rodgers) and Yvenson (Bernard). I just felt like I could be a good player.”

 

Q: Do you have a favorite NFL team?

A: “Well, right now since my brother (T.J. Ward) is with the Cleveland Browns, I’m going to have to say them. But also, my home team is the 49ers and I always stick with them.”

 

Q: What are your talents outside of football?

A:  “I play video games a lot and I used to run track. I was pretty good at that, too, so you could say those are my two main talents.”

 

Q: Any talents you wish you could have?

A: “I wish I could jump. I have a little bit of bounce but I really wish that I could dunk. I wish I could be one of those high flyers.”

 

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?

A: “I’d have to say winning the state championship from my high school. It was a team effort; the fact all of us came together and won it all was a really big accomplishment for all of us.”

 

Q: What is your favorite memory?

A: “When I got MVP of my team. Every game there was a player elected but at the end of the year the entire team votes on an MVP for the entire year. They chose me. It meant a lot that for the season, I was someone that stuck out.”

 

Q: Favorite T.V. show?

A: “Anything on ESPN. Sports are everything so it’s my go to.”

Notes from Monday, August 22, 2011:

• Senior punter Johnny Hekker has been nominated for the Ray Guy Award given annually to the nation’s top punter.
• Junior quarterback Ryan Katz has been nominated for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
• The Joe Beaver Show on 1240 JOE RADIO returned to the air Monday after taking the summer off. Mike Parker, the Voice of the Beavers, and Jon Warren host the Beaver-centric sports talk show from noon to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Several players returned to practice after having Sunday off including: quarterbacks Ryan Katz and Cody Vaz, receivers Brandin Cooks and Geno Munoz, and cornerbacks Sean Martin and Keynan Parker.
• The equipment staff has begun the annual fall task of adding the Beaver decals to the helmets. Monday, the quarterbacks and punters showed up with the Beaver head adorning their helmets. More decals will be added as the week progresses.
• Senior video man Jeff Taylor, a fixture on the sidelines (and sometimes the huddle) at practice for years, was in the middle of the action Monday midway through practice. Taylor took the biggest hit of the day when freshman receiver Richard Mullaney pulled in a pass along the sideline with safety Ryan Murphy on his back. The pair plowed through the unsuspecting camera operator. Director of Sports Video Malisa Hollis said afterwards, “I don’t care about Taylor. The camera better be okay.”
• The OSU defense continues to be handsy and opportunistic. Defensive end Scott Crichton batted down another pass at the line – the ends seem to be making a habit of getting their mitts in the passing lanes … Tyrequek Zimmerman and Feti ‘Unga picked off tipped passes and Lance Mitchell battled Obum Gwacham for a jump ball, winning the battle and securing the interception near the end of practice.