Beavers Open Spring Drills Thursday
April 2, 2001
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START:
Oregon State will open spring drills on Thursday, April 5, 4:00 p.m., Prothro Field.
END:
OSU will play its spring game on Saturday, April 28, 1:00 p.m. at Reser Stadium.
RADIO:
None.
TV:
Fox Sports Net NW will televise the spring game on a delayed basis for replay from 8-10 p.m. on April 28. Scott Lynn and Steve Preece will announce the spring game.
SPRING DATES:
Oregon State will have 15 dates for spring drills. All practices will be held on Prothro Field, weather permitting, or Reser Stadium. The 15 dates for spring drills follow:
| PRACTICE DAYS | TYPE | TIME | |
| Thursday, April 5 | No Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, April 6 | Limited Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Saturday, April 7 | Pads | 10:00 a.m. | |
| Monday, April 9 | Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, April 11 | Limited Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Thursday, April 12 | No Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, April 13 | Pads | 3:00 p.m. Scrimmage | |
| Monday, April 16 | Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, April 18 | Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, April 20 | Limited Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Saturday, April 21 | Pads | 1:00 p.m. Scrimmage | |
| Monday, April 23 | Limited Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, April 25 | Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, April 27 | No Pads | 4:00 p.m. | |
| Saturday, April 28 | Pads | 1:00 p.m. SPRING GAME |
PACIFIC-10 CONFERENCE CO-CHAMPIONS:
Oregon State earned a share of the Pacific-10 Conference championship in 2000 by downing Oregon 23-13 in the Civil War. The Beavers finished the Pac-10 slate with a 7-1 record, same as Washington and Oregon. The share of the title was Oregon State's first Pacific-10 Conference championship. The Beavers tied for the 1964 AAWU championship. OSU tied for the 1957 Pacific Coast Conference title and won the 1956 championship outright. The Beavers also won the 1941 PCC championship.
11 WINS:
Oregon State's 23-13 victory over Oregon in the Civil War clinched the Beavers' first-ever 10-win regular season. The Beavers' 41-9 victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl gave OSU its first 11-win season in history. OSU's previous best overall season was a 9-1-1 record in 1939, after starting 7-1-1. OSU finished season 7-1-1 in 1946. The Beavers finished 7-0-2 in 1914 and the 1926 team finished the season 7-1-0. OSU was 9-2 in 1962.
RANKING:
Oregon State finished the 2000 season ranked fourth on the season's final Associated Press Poll. The Beavers were also ranked fifth on the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll. Oregon State was ranked sixth on final BCS Poll on December 3. The #4 national ranking by the Associated Press is the highest Oregon State has ever been ranked. The Beavers were ranked eighth by the Associated Press on September 16, 1968. Oregon State was ranked sixth by AP in the 1968 preseason poll. The Beavers were ranked seventh on the November 27, 1967 AP poll for their highest regular season ranking previously. Oregon State also ranked seventh on the AP poll on October 14, 1957.
OSU STREAKS:
Oregon State will start the 2001 season on a seven-game winning streak overall. The Beavers currently own a 13-game non-conference regular season winning streak, a nine-game winning streak at Reser Stadium, a three-game road winning streak and a six-game Pacific-10 Conference winning streak. Oregon State's 13-game non-conference regular season winning streak is the longest since winning 20 straight from 1928 through 1933. That 20 game straight non-conference-winning streak is the Beavers' all-time record. Oregon State is 19-5 (.792) in its last 24 games and has won 12 of its last 13 (.923) home games. The last time the Beavers won eight straight games at home was during a stretch from 1962 through 1965 when OSU had eight straight victories in Corvallis. By including home games in Portland, the Beavers won 13 in a row at home during that same stretch. The last time OSU lost a regular season non-conference game was in 1996 at Baylor, 42-10. The last time the Beavers won seven straight games was over two seasons, starting in 1966 when they won six straight to close the season and the first three games in 1967 for a nine-game win streak. The last time OSU won three straight games on the road was in 1969 when the Beavers downed Washington, California and Oregon in the final three road games of the '69 season. The streak extended to four with the first road game in 1970. The last time OSU won six straight conference games was during the 1967 and '68 seasons when the Beavers won the last two Pac-8 games on the '67 season and followed that up by winning the first four Pac-8 outings of the '68 campaign. OSU is now produced back-to-back seasons of seven or more wins for the first time since the Beavers had three straight seven win campaigns from 1966-67-68 (7-3-0, 7-2-1, 7-3-0). OSU has also produced back-to-back seasons of at least four conference wins for the first time since 1968-69 (5-1, 4-3). Oregon State had never won six games in one season at Reser Stadium prior to the 2000 season.. The Beavers were 5-1 at Reser Stadium in 1999.
SPRING TURNOUT:
Oregon State will have a total of 76 players participate in spring drills, including 41 letter winners.
11 STARTERS RETURN:
The Beavers return five offensive starters, five defensive starters and place kicker Eric Manning, LT, Richard Seigler, MLB, James Allen, WLB, Calvin Carlyle, FS, and Dennis Weathersby, RC.
RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS:
Oregon State has four All-Americans returning for the 2001 season. Tailback Ken Simonton and center Chris Gibson were both selected as All-Americans following the 2001 season. Cornerback Dennis Weathersby earned honorable mention All-America honors in 2001after being named a freshman All-American in 1999. The Football News and The Sporting News named middle linebacker Richard Seigler Freshman All-American.
RETURNING ALL-PAC-10 PLAYERS:
Oregon State returns four first team All-Pacific-10 Conference selections. Tailback Ken Simonton and center Chris Gibson were first team All-Pac-10 picks on offense. Cornerback Dennis Weathersby was a first team All-Pac-10 pick on defense and place kicker Ryan Cesca was a first team selection.
INJURY REPORT:
Linebacker James Allen will be held out of spring drills in order to allow healing of chronic low back pain. He is expected to be 100 percent healthy when fall camp opens on August 9. "We know what James Allen can do," said Coach Dennis Erickson. "In my opinion, he is the best linebacker in the Pac-10 and having him healthy for fall camp is more important than participating in spring drills." Quarterback Jonathan Smith will participate this spring on a limited basis. Jonathan had surgery on his left wrist on January 24. He had bone grafted from his left hip to repair a fractured scaphoid bone in his left wrist. Smith will only participate in non-contact drills this spring.
SEASON TICKET UPDATE:
As of Monday morning, Oregon State has already processed orders for over 17,500 season tickets, topping last year's record of nearly 15,000 season tickets. Monday, April 2 is the deadline for renewing season tickets.
JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFERS:
Four of Oregon State's eight junior college transfers will be available for the start of spring drills and all four are expected to battle for starting positions. The four JC transfers available this spring include cornerback D.J. Coote, 6-2, 190, from Ventura College, linebacker Jason Lowe, 6-3, 230, from Cerritos College, defensive end Alvin Steen, 6-2, 260, from Los Angeles Harbor College and tight end Jermaine Jackson, 6-3, 240, from Mt. San Antonio College. Four JC players will not join the program until the start of fall camp. The four include wide receiver Andre Cyrus, 6-0, 195, from Mt. San Antonio College, tight end Travon Magee, 6-7, 250, from Santa Monica College, defensive end Jayson Jean-Baptiste, 6-4, 235, from San Jose City College, and defensive tackle James Lee, 6-5, 300, from College of the Redwoods. Coote, Cyrus, Lee, Lowe, Magee and Steen all earned some form of junior college All-America honors.
POSITION CHANGES:
Normally each spring there will be a few position switches, but this spring there will be very few changes. On offense, Vincent Sandoval will switch from left tackle to right tackle. Dan Torres moves from a backup defensive tackle position to tight end. On defense, Calvin Carlyle, a starter at free safety, will move to strong safety this spring.
LEFT GUARD BATTLE:
One of the top position battles this spring will likely take place at left guard on offense. Three players will be battling for the No. 1 spot. Going into the spring, two-year letterman senior Tyler McClaughry, 6-4, 285, and two-year letterman junior, Mike Kuykendall, 6-6, 323, are even on the depth chart, with redshirt freshman Kanan Sanchez, 6-4, 327, listed No. 3. The rest of the offensive line is pretty well set with Lee Davis at left tackle, Chris Gibson at center, Keith DiDomenico at right guard and Vincent Sandoval at right tackle.
WIDE RECEIVER CHASE:
Oregon State lost its three starting wide receivers, Chad Johnson, James Newson and Aaron Hill, a pair of sophomores with a lot of ability, will get an opportunity to shine this spring. George Gillett and Ron Monteilh, a pair of freshman redshirts, are expected to make a run at starting jobs this spring. Nate Brentano is another walk-on on earned a letter as a backup last year.
REPLACING AN ALL-AMERICAN:
Replacing All-American DeLawrence Grant at one defensive end, plus LaDairis Jackson, who holds the OSU season record for sacks (11 ˝) and tackles for loss (21), will be the main task for defensive coordinator Craig Bray this spring. A pair of lettermen, senior Kyle Rosselle, 6-5, 256, and sophomore Dan Rothwell, 6-7, 246, will start the spring at No. 1 on the depth chart. Junior college All-American Alvin Steen, 6-2, 260, is on hand this spring and is expected to challenge for a starting job. Another JC player with outstanding speed, Jayson Jean-Baptiste, 6-4, 235, will join the battle in the fall. Senior letterman Brian Tulikihihifo, 6-4, 279, has moved to end from tackle this spring and true freshman Derek Hall, 6-4, 240, will be mix this spring. Non-letterman Peter Gregg, 6-0, 242, is a walk-on who will also be attempting to earn playing time at defensive end this spring.
DENNIS ERICKSON COMMENTS
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS SPRING?
"We have some areas of concern. We lost some starters from last year that were very good players, so we have to fill those voids. The biggest thing we have to do this spring is find out who the replacements will be in those areas. We need to identify who will be playing for us in the fall."
WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS/QUESTIONS AS YOU HEAD INTO SPRING DRILLS?
"We have a number of concerns. We lost both of our defensive ends. We lost an outside linebacker. We also lost a cornerback and a safety. Offensively, we lost all three starting receivers. We need to have some player's step up at those positions and fill the void. We lost our top two tight ends and some people on the offensive front. Really, the only area where we are in good shape is at running back and quarterback on offense. We also have some positions returning on the offensive line. Our tackles are back on defense, along with a couple of linebackers and two starters in the secondary. Filling the voids of the starters who are gone is the main theme of spring practice."
WHERE WOULD YOU ANTICIPATE YOUR BIGGEST POSITION BATTLES THIS SPRING?
"Our biggest position battle this spring on offense will be at wide receiver. Shamon Jamerson and redshirt freshmen Aric Williams and Johan Thomas for the spot."
WITH JONATHAN SMITH LIMITED TO NON-CONTACT DRILLS DUE TO SURGERY TO HIS LEFT HAND, TALK ABOUT HOW THE QUARTERBACK PICTURE WILL PLAY OUT THIS SPRING?
"The quarterback situation is going to be very good for us this spring. Jonathan will get some turns, but obviously they won't be live. This spring the battle will be for the number two spot. We have Nick Stremick, Shayne House, who is back off shoulder surgery, Ryan Kanekeberg and Adam Rothenfluh. Those guys will get the turns and it will really help us as far as development of our second and third guys. It will be a good spring for all of our quarterbacks."
OSU IS COMING OFF THE BEST SEASON IN SCHOOL HISTORY. WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE 2001 SEASON?
"Our expectations are the same as when I came here three years ago. Our goals are to win the Pac-10 championship and go to a bowl game. That is what are goals are every year and that is what they will always be here."
OSU HAD THE HIGHEST SCORING OFFENSIVE TEAM IN OSU HISTORY IN 2000, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE OFFENSIVE UNIT OVERALL AS WE HEAD INTO SPRING?
"We have some question marks. Obviously the strengths are returnees at quarterback and our running game with Ken Simonton and Patrick McCall. That is the type of team we are probably going to be this year. We need to have some development at wide receiver. We need guys that will make big plays. That has to happen for us. The same thing is true at tight end. We had Marty Maurer and Bennie Johnson around for two years. Now someone else needs to step up and play. But our strength right now has to be running the football."
DO YOU HAVE THE BEST ONE-TWO PUNCH YOU HAVE COACHED AT RUNNING BACK?
"It is the same one-two punch as we had last year and I don't know that you will ever have a better one-two punch than Ken Simonton and Patrick McCall."
OREGON STATE'S DEFENSE HAS BEEN VERY STRONG FOR TWO YEARS IN A ROW AND LED THE PAC-10 IN DEFENSE LAST YEAR. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DEFENSIVE UNIT OVERALL AS WE HEAD INTO SPRING?
"We have a chance to be very good in some areas. You don't lose guys like Eric Manning and Shamon Jamerson, a letterman who redshirted last year. We also have a pair of redshirt freshmen in the mix, Aric Williams and Johan Thomas. One of those four needs to emerge as a starter. We have a chance to be a decent team on defense if guys progress like we expect them to do."
TALK ABOUT YOUR KICKERS/PUNTERS.
"Ryan Cesca is back and that gives us an opportunity to have a very good kicker. Our punting situation is different. Carl Tobey was a backup to Mike Fessler last year and he has a chance of being a decent punter. Ryan Cozzetto is a freshman coming in this fall and he was one of the better prep punters in the country. He will have a chance to compete when we start fall camp."
WHAT IMPACT DO YOU EXPECT FROM JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFERS?
"We believe our junior college transfers have a chance to make a tremendous impact. All of them have a chance to come in and contribute this year, and that is a big key for us. D.J. Coote, was a JC All-American, and he has an opportunity to come in and start for us at corner. Jason Lowe has a chance at linebacker, as does Alvin Steen at defensive end. James Lee, who will come in this fall, will give us depth on the defensive line. We expect all eight junior college transfers to come in and compete for playing time.
THOUGHTS ON THIS YEAR'S RECRUITNG CLASS? IS THERE A CHANCE ANY FRESHMEN WILL PLAY THIS FALL?
"It is an awfully good recruiting class, 19 high school kids and 8 junior college players. As far as the high school players, it is a class with great speed and we are very excited about them. It will be three or four years down the road before we know the impact of this class. We think there are some who have a chance to come in and play this fall. Joshua Hawkins and Jayson Boyd at wide receiver are a couple of guys who have a chance to come in and play early and have an impact. Bill Swancutt is another guy we feel who has a chance to come in and play at defensive end. It is very hard for a freshman to come in and play right away. To me, Steven Jackson is probably as good a recruit as we have. However, as you know, we have two outstanding running backs returning in Ken Simonton and Patrick McCall. It is a very good class and I am hopeful we will be able to redshirt most of the class."
NCAA RECORD
Ken Simonton can become only the fifth player in NCAA history in 2001 to rush for 1,000 yards or more in each of his four seasons of play. The other four players follow:
Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh, 1973-76
Amos Lawrence, North Carolina, 1977-80
Denvis Manns, New Mexico State, 1995-98
Ron Dayne, Wisconsin, 1996-99
PACIFIC-10 RECORD
Ken Simonton is the first player in Pacific-10 Conference history to rush for 1,000 yards as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Simonton and Stanford's Darrin Nelson (1997-81) are the only two players in Pac-10 history to rush for over 1,000 yards as a freshman. However, Nelson failed to rush for 1,000 yards as a junior. Simonton is one of six players in the history of the Pac-10 to rush for over 1,000 yards in three seasons. He has a chance as a senior in 2001 to become the first player in Pac-10 history to rush for over 1,000 yards in four seasons. The Pac-10 list of 1,000-yard rushers for three seasons follows:
Anthony Davis, USC, 1972-73-74
Charles White, USC, 1977-78-79
Darrin Nelson, Stanford, 1977-78-81
Russell White, California, 1990-91-92
Napoleon Kaufman, Washington, 1992-93-94
Ken Simonton, Oregon State, 1998-99-2000
PACIFIC-10 CONFERENCE CAREER RUSHING & SCORING LISTS
Ken Simonton stands in fifth place on the Pac-10 career-rushing list with 4,073 yards. His next target on the Pac-10 career list is No. 4, Napoleon Kaufman, Washington. Kaufman gained 4,106 yards and Simonton needs 34 yards to move ahead of Kaufman. Simonton needs 97 to pass Stanford's Darrin Nelson (4,169). Ken has scored 312 career points and has moved into ninth place on the Pac-10 all-time scoring list. The Pac-10's all-time scoring leader is John Lee, UCLA, with 390 points. Ken needs only 79 points to top that figure. Ken has averaged 104 points a season through his first three campaigns.
