With orange clad fans surrounding them in Reser Stadium, the Oregon State football team took part in their final scrimmage of fall camp. The offense and defense both improved since Bend, and limited the amount mistakes that they made.
Here are the most newsworthy nuggets via Brenden Slaughter from OSU’s last scrimmage of fall camp.
-Let’s start with OSU’s first teamers on both sides of the ball:
Offense
Jake Luton-QB, Ryan Nall-RB, Isaiah Hodgins-WR, Trevon Bradford-WR, Jordan Villamin-WR, Noah Togiai-TE,
Blake Brandel-LT, Gus Lavaka-LG, Sumner Houston-C, Trent Moore-RG, Fred Lauina-RT
Defense
The starting defense was rotating like crazy, but this was a 3-3-5 set that I saw.
Baker Pritchard-LE, Titus Failauga-RE, Kalani Vakameilalo-NT, Bright Ugwoegbu-LB, Andrzej Hughes-Murray-LB, Jonathan Willis-LB, Jay Irvine-CB, Dwayne Williams-Nickel, Xavier Crawford-CB, Jalen Moore-S, Brandon Arnold-S
-We haven’t talked much about the kicking game this fall, because for the most part the Beavers haven’t done much kicking in the portion of practice that the media gets to see. Jordan Choukair was flawless today as a kicker. He connected on field goals of 27, 28 and 48 yards respectively. Given OSU’s kicking woes in the past several seasons, the Beavers could really use a guy who they can really trust to go out there and get them three point. OSU hasn’t had a rock solid kicker in nearly a decade, and perhaps Choukair can be that guy to bring OSU some kicking consistency.
-Both Wesley Payne and Shemar Smith received time with the 1st unit today as the defense was playing musical chairs with multiple personnel groupings. Manase Hungalu was dressed but didn’t participate. My guess is that Andersen didn’t want to risk any sort of injury with their star linebacker. In his absence, multiple guys such as Payne and Smith stepped up and played very well. However, the first unit that’s listed above only had three linebackers today. The Beavers are really fond of having five guys in the secondary and that is why we only saw three LB’s today.
- Jake Luton’s favorite target may have emerged folks. And.. to no one’s surprise it’s tight end Noah Togiai. Luton hit Togiai for a big gain over the middle on a crossing route for the first big pass play of the day. Later he tried to find Togiai in the endzone for a touchdown, but Togiai couldn’t hold on. Despite not getting that touchdown, I think that Luton and Togiai have been some really strong chemistry together.
-Speaking of Luton, he’s starting to act and talk like he’s the leader of this team. He mentioned several times that this is his team and his guys. Given that OSU has had a rotating door at quarterback over the past few seasons, it’s a good sign that Luton is seizing the reins and being that “model” leader at the QB position that OSU hasn’t necessarily had since Sean Mannion.
-Seth Collins was not present at the scrimmage today. When asked about the status of Collins, Andersen noted that he has a minor issue that we will learn about once the injury report comes out. He didn’t seem to concerned about it, but it will be something to keep an eye on moving forward.
-Today was an impressive scrimmage for all of OSU’s running backs. Personally, I think Artavis Pierce and Trevorris Johnson stole the show. Both of those guys were impressive from the word “go”. Johnson left the scrimmage on crutches and wasn’t putting any weight on his right ankle. I don’t want to speculate, but it appeared to be some sort of ankle injury. It’s something to keep an eye on because he had a really big day for the Beavs. His ability to push the pile and drive multiple defenders backwards is a skill that never goes out of style. In terms of Pierce, he did a great job of breaking big runs. When I caught up with him today, he mentioned to me that this season, he was trying to break more big runs this year as he didn’t think he did that very well last season.
-Ryan Nall didn’t have many carries, nor did Tyner but Andersen that that there wasn’t much of a need to tackle Nall or Tyner and risk injury. In their limited reps, Nall and Tyner appeared to be what we’ve all already seen from them in fall camp and prior. Both guys are big-time football players that have a history of being great runners, and I don’t have any doubt they they might be one of the better duo’s that OSU has had in long time.
-Final note on the running backs, I think this might be the deepest backfield that the Beavers have ever had in the history of their football squad. I don’t say that lightly as OSU has had some great teams and great runners, but I don’t think they’ve ever been this talented from top-to-bottom. Freshman Calvin Tyler and BJ Baylor were also impressive today and that tells me that the Beavers really have a knack for recruiting really good running backs. Credit that to the coaching staff, to where they have two players in Baylor and Tyler who are both fighting to play as true freshman. Tyler already seems poised to make an immediate impact right away on special teams as he was OSU’s primary kick returner today. Baylor appears to be in line to redshirt, but Andersen noted that he is still fighting like crazy to get on the field. It’s anyone's guess how the reps will fall once the season starts, but the Beavers might boast the best cabinet of RB’s in the Pac-12.
-I have mentioned all week that the defensive line has looked much improved compared to week’s past and today was no different. Kalani Vakameilalo, Baker Pritchard, and Titus Failauga all are starting to show to everyone that they are ready to be the d-line that Andersen wants them to be. The three of them are big and strong enough to be able to plug up the middle, but also are versatile and quick enough to move off the line to make a play in space. This group has been primarily the first unit for the last week or so, and it’s easy to see why. These guys have a great chemistry together and have a high care factor.
-The other impressive thing about the defense today was the secondary’s ability to come up to the line and make tackles in space. Both Brandon Arnold and Xavier Crawford were able to fight off blockers and come up and make a play on a running back swing or screen pass. OSU definitely has some players in the back end who aren’t afraid to come up and lay a hit on a running back or wide receiver.
Gary Andersen interview
Jake Luton interview
Jay Irvine interview
Artavis Pierce interview
Story from OSU
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State football team held its second scrimmage of the fall on Saturday, two weeks prior to the Beavers’ 2017 season opener against Colorado State. The scrimmage, at Reser Stadium, was held prior to Family Fun Day.
Oregon State’s offense was highlighted by the ground game, with Artavis Pierce, Calvin Tyler, Jr., and Aidan Willard finding the end zone.
Pierce opened the scrimmage’s scoring with an 8-yard touchdown rush that saw the sophomore bounce back up the middle to find the end zone. The first drive of the scrimmage, it was highlighted by two receptions by Noah Togiai from Jake Luton totaling 33 yards.
Tyler netted the Beavers their second score when he bounced off a pair of would-be tacklers for an 11-yard rush up the middle. That score was set up nicely by B.J. Baylor’s 36-yard carry, also breaking a pair of tackles, to open the drive.
Willard led the offense on the next drive, and found the end zone on a 15-yard keeper for the third touchdown of the afternoon.
Jordan Choukair connected on three field goals: from 20, 27 and 48 yards out. The OSU defense was stout on two of the drives preceding Choukair’s field goals. On one drive, Jalen Moore made a TD-saving tackle at the three. On the next, Kyle White and Omar Hicks-Onu made back-to-back pass breakups on passes from 10 yards out.
Here are the most newsworthy nuggets via Brenden Slaughter from OSU’s last scrimmage of fall camp.
-Let’s start with OSU’s first teamers on both sides of the ball:
Offense
Jake Luton-QB, Ryan Nall-RB, Isaiah Hodgins-WR, Trevon Bradford-WR, Jordan Villamin-WR, Noah Togiai-TE,
Blake Brandel-LT, Gus Lavaka-LG, Sumner Houston-C, Trent Moore-RG, Fred Lauina-RT
Defense
The starting defense was rotating like crazy, but this was a 3-3-5 set that I saw.
Baker Pritchard-LE, Titus Failauga-RE, Kalani Vakameilalo-NT, Bright Ugwoegbu-LB, Andrzej Hughes-Murray-LB, Jonathan Willis-LB, Jay Irvine-CB, Dwayne Williams-Nickel, Xavier Crawford-CB, Jalen Moore-S, Brandon Arnold-S
-We haven’t talked much about the kicking game this fall, because for the most part the Beavers haven’t done much kicking in the portion of practice that the media gets to see. Jordan Choukair was flawless today as a kicker. He connected on field goals of 27, 28 and 48 yards respectively. Given OSU’s kicking woes in the past several seasons, the Beavers could really use a guy who they can really trust to go out there and get them three point. OSU hasn’t had a rock solid kicker in nearly a decade, and perhaps Choukair can be that guy to bring OSU some kicking consistency.
-Both Wesley Payne and Shemar Smith received time with the 1st unit today as the defense was playing musical chairs with multiple personnel groupings. Manase Hungalu was dressed but didn’t participate. My guess is that Andersen didn’t want to risk any sort of injury with their star linebacker. In his absence, multiple guys such as Payne and Smith stepped up and played very well. However, the first unit that’s listed above only had three linebackers today. The Beavers are really fond of having five guys in the secondary and that is why we only saw three LB’s today.
- Jake Luton’s favorite target may have emerged folks. And.. to no one’s surprise it’s tight end Noah Togiai. Luton hit Togiai for a big gain over the middle on a crossing route for the first big pass play of the day. Later he tried to find Togiai in the endzone for a touchdown, but Togiai couldn’t hold on. Despite not getting that touchdown, I think that Luton and Togiai have been some really strong chemistry together.
-Speaking of Luton, he’s starting to act and talk like he’s the leader of this team. He mentioned several times that this is his team and his guys. Given that OSU has had a rotating door at quarterback over the past few seasons, it’s a good sign that Luton is seizing the reins and being that “model” leader at the QB position that OSU hasn’t necessarily had since Sean Mannion.
-Seth Collins was not present at the scrimmage today. When asked about the status of Collins, Andersen noted that he has a minor issue that we will learn about once the injury report comes out. He didn’t seem to concerned about it, but it will be something to keep an eye on moving forward.
-Today was an impressive scrimmage for all of OSU’s running backs. Personally, I think Artavis Pierce and Trevorris Johnson stole the show. Both of those guys were impressive from the word “go”. Johnson left the scrimmage on crutches and wasn’t putting any weight on his right ankle. I don’t want to speculate, but it appeared to be some sort of ankle injury. It’s something to keep an eye on because he had a really big day for the Beavs. His ability to push the pile and drive multiple defenders backwards is a skill that never goes out of style. In terms of Pierce, he did a great job of breaking big runs. When I caught up with him today, he mentioned to me that this season, he was trying to break more big runs this year as he didn’t think he did that very well last season.
-Ryan Nall didn’t have many carries, nor did Tyner but Andersen that that there wasn’t much of a need to tackle Nall or Tyner and risk injury. In their limited reps, Nall and Tyner appeared to be what we’ve all already seen from them in fall camp and prior. Both guys are big-time football players that have a history of being great runners, and I don’t have any doubt they they might be one of the better duo’s that OSU has had in long time.
-Final note on the running backs, I think this might be the deepest backfield that the Beavers have ever had in the history of their football squad. I don’t say that lightly as OSU has had some great teams and great runners, but I don’t think they’ve ever been this talented from top-to-bottom. Freshman Calvin Tyler and BJ Baylor were also impressive today and that tells me that the Beavers really have a knack for recruiting really good running backs. Credit that to the coaching staff, to where they have two players in Baylor and Tyler who are both fighting to play as true freshman. Tyler already seems poised to make an immediate impact right away on special teams as he was OSU’s primary kick returner today. Baylor appears to be in line to redshirt, but Andersen noted that he is still fighting like crazy to get on the field. It’s anyone's guess how the reps will fall once the season starts, but the Beavers might boast the best cabinet of RB’s in the Pac-12.
-I have mentioned all week that the defensive line has looked much improved compared to week’s past and today was no different. Kalani Vakameilalo, Baker Pritchard, and Titus Failauga all are starting to show to everyone that they are ready to be the d-line that Andersen wants them to be. The three of them are big and strong enough to be able to plug up the middle, but also are versatile and quick enough to move off the line to make a play in space. This group has been primarily the first unit for the last week or so, and it’s easy to see why. These guys have a great chemistry together and have a high care factor.
-The other impressive thing about the defense today was the secondary’s ability to come up to the line and make tackles in space. Both Brandon Arnold and Xavier Crawford were able to fight off blockers and come up and make a play on a running back swing or screen pass. OSU definitely has some players in the back end who aren’t afraid to come up and lay a hit on a running back or wide receiver.
Gary Andersen interview
Jake Luton interview
Jay Irvine interview
Artavis Pierce interview
Story from OSU
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State football team held its second scrimmage of the fall on Saturday, two weeks prior to the Beavers’ 2017 season opener against Colorado State. The scrimmage, at Reser Stadium, was held prior to Family Fun Day.
Oregon State’s offense was highlighted by the ground game, with Artavis Pierce, Calvin Tyler, Jr., and Aidan Willard finding the end zone.
Pierce opened the scrimmage’s scoring with an 8-yard touchdown rush that saw the sophomore bounce back up the middle to find the end zone. The first drive of the scrimmage, it was highlighted by two receptions by Noah Togiai from Jake Luton totaling 33 yards.
Tyler netted the Beavers their second score when he bounced off a pair of would-be tacklers for an 11-yard rush up the middle. That score was set up nicely by B.J. Baylor’s 36-yard carry, also breaking a pair of tackles, to open the drive.
Willard led the offense on the next drive, and found the end zone on a 15-yard keeper for the third touchdown of the afternoon.
Jordan Choukair connected on three field goals: from 20, 27 and 48 yards out. The OSU defense was stout on two of the drives preceding Choukair’s field goals. On one drive, Jalen Moore made a TD-saving tackle at the three. On the next, Kyle White and Omar Hicks-Onu made back-to-back pass breakups on passes from 10 yards out.
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