By Brenden Slaughter
Just as quickly spring football came in 2017, it's now at it’s end. The Beavers will be culminating one of the earliest spring football sessions in Oregon State history this Saturday when they host the spring game. The spring game is at 1:00 p.m. and is free and is open to all fans who want to trek to Corvallis.
Q: Did you fill out a men’s bracket?
A: No.
Despite Andersen not showing much interest in the men’s edition of March Madness, he was very quick to quip that the Oregon State women’s basketball team is going to go all the way and win the national championship. High praise from coach Andersen about Scott Rueck’s squad.
Q: We (the media) saw the golfing competition the other day [before Tuesday's practice], who would you want at the masters?
A: “No one based on that performance. Absolutely not. And not me either. That was some poor golf, but coach Baldwin came through in the clutch. There are several guys who are self proclaimed great golfers and talk the talk. Conor Blount is one of them, he thinks he’s great golfer and a great quarterback. Manase Hungalu talks a lot but the two shots he’s taken have gone 10 yards. There are a lot of coaches who think they are good too, but apparently Baldwin is the only one who can step up and make it.
Now that we’ve had a laugh, on to the quotables for the day.
“It was great to see some contested balls get caught today,” Andersen said. “It’s something we’ve talked long and hard about with the passing game continuing to grow and develop. We were very solid in stopping the run today. Those were two huge emphasis’ coming into spring and today they both looked pretty good.”
Andersen on spring ball...
“It’s been a solid spring and it's never perfect,” Andersen said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and we are far from arrived and we all know that. But we’ve taken steps forward this spring.”
Andersen on QB situation...
“Do we want a starting quarterback? Yes. Will we have a starting quarterback? Yes.” Andersen said. “I’m not afraid to have different packages, because we do that on offense and defense. Do we want to be a two-platoon quarterback system with no starter? No. When there is separation and there deserves to be a starting quarterback, the starter will be named. I don’t know if the media will know when he is named, and it’s going to go as long as we decide. Who knows it might be one minute before the Colorado State game. Stay tuned.”
Just as quickly spring football came in 2017, it's now at it’s end. The Beavers will be culminating one of the earliest spring football sessions in Oregon State history this Saturday when they host the spring game. The spring game is at 1:00 p.m. and is free and is open to all fans who want to trek to Corvallis.
Nuggets from the last day of spring football
- The Beavers finally had a practice outside!!! The sun was shining bright in Corvallis today with the temperatures in the mid 50’s which had everyone in Reser Stadium in a chipper mood. The music was loud, and the pads were popping in the final practice.
- Naturally, Jake Luton was the first quarterback to take reps in a session where the offense didn’t move on purpose. Without having an established down and distance, Luton struggled completing passes. However, during the two minute drill, Luton led his team down the field, completing several nice passes down the field, capped off with a 4 yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Hodgins to end practice.
- The reason that Luton struggled early? The defense got after him a little bit. Specifically Jonathan Willis coming in as a hybrid DE/LB. He was able to get pressure on Luton often to force him into quicker throws than he would like.
- Here is what the first team offense looked like today: Luton, Ryan Nall, Isaiah Hodgins, Jordan Villamin, and Trevon Bradford. The O-line was the same as it has been: Blake Brandel, Fred Lauina, Sumner Houston, Gus Lavaka, and Trent Moore.
- The first team defense: D-Line: Elu Aydon, Kalani Vakameilalo. LB: Manase Hungalu, Wesley Payne, Hamilcar Rashed, and Jonathan Willis. Corners: Xavier Crawford, Shawn Wilson, and Jaydon Grant. Safeties: Jalen Moore and Brandon Arnold.
- Speaking of Villamin, he was an absolute monster today. He made a touchdown grab from Marcus McMaryion on a hail mary drill throw from Marcus McMaryion. He also made a incredible catch on a ball thrown from Luton late in the two minute drill. He jumped, and caught the ball at its highest point, and took the ball out of the hands of Wilson who looked like he had a guaranteed interception. Villamin was by far and away the the best player on the offensive side of the ball today.
- In terms of the defensive MVP today, I have to give that to Paisa Savea. While Savea was with the second unit, he made several nice plays as a defensive end. He was extremely physical rushing the passer, but also was able to be disciplined enough in space to stop a little swing pass intended for Artavis Pierce.
- Darell Garretson was the second quarterback to receive reps today. Garretson once again struggled with consistency today. He did a okay job with completions, but his weakness continues to be completing the deep ball and general accuracy.
- McMaryion was the third quarterback to take reps today, but did a nice job throwing the ball. As I mentioned earlier, his throw to Villamin on the hail mary was easily the highlight of practice. When I talked to McMaryion earlier in the week he mentioned he was still working on the deep ball accuracy. It certainly looked like he was much improved throwing the ball today. Kudos to McMaryion today.
- Gary Andersen was asked a bevy of interesting questions on and off the camera today, but here are the highlights of the more interesting things Andersen had to say today.
Q: Did you fill out a men’s bracket?
A: No.
Despite Andersen not showing much interest in the men’s edition of March Madness, he was very quick to quip that the Oregon State women’s basketball team is going to go all the way and win the national championship. High praise from coach Andersen about Scott Rueck’s squad.
Q: We (the media) saw the golfing competition the other day [before Tuesday's practice], who would you want at the masters?
A: “No one based on that performance. Absolutely not. And not me either. That was some poor golf, but coach Baldwin came through in the clutch. There are several guys who are self proclaimed great golfers and talk the talk. Conor Blount is one of them, he thinks he’s great golfer and a great quarterback. Manase Hungalu talks a lot but the two shots he’s taken have gone 10 yards. There are a lot of coaches who think they are good too, but apparently Baldwin is the only one who can step up and make it.
Now that we’ve had a laugh, on to the quotables for the day.
Quotables
Coach Andersen on what worked today...
“It was great to see some contested balls get caught today,” Andersen said. “It’s something we’ve talked long and hard about with the passing game continuing to grow and develop. We were very solid in stopping the run today. Those were two huge emphasis’ coming into spring and today they both looked pretty good.”
Andersen on spring ball...
“It’s been a solid spring and it's never perfect,” Andersen said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do and we are far from arrived and we all know that. But we’ve taken steps forward this spring.”
Andersen on QB situation...
“Do we want a starting quarterback? Yes. Will we have a starting quarterback? Yes.” Andersen said. “I’m not afraid to have different packages, because we do that on offense and defense. Do we want to be a two-platoon quarterback system with no starter? No. When there is separation and there deserves to be a starting quarterback, the starter will be named. I don’t know if the media will know when he is named, and it’s going to go as long as we decide. Who knows it might be one minute before the Colorado State game. Stay tuned.”
