Beavers Wrap Up Spring Ball with Scrimmage
April 30, 2011
CORVALLIS -
On cue, the sun sliced through overcast skies and redshirt freshman tailback Malcolm Marable took the ball 65 yards down the sideline for a touchdown on the final play of the 2011 Oregon State Spring Game. It encapsulated most of what the offense could muster against a very stingy defensive group.
“I thought the way it worked out was awesome – a lot of good situational plays,” head coach Mike Riley said of the final scrimmage of the spring.
The 5,519 Beaver fans in attendance watched the OSU offense sans several injured starters – QB Ryan Katz, WR James Rodgers, WR Jordan Bishop, TE Colby Prince and H-Back Joe Halahuni – try to make the most of the day. The scrimmage was run in more of a practice style than a game with the team running situational plays rather than playing a traditional game of 1st & 10 with four downs to gain another first.
In place of injured tight ends redshirt freshmen Connor Hamlett and Tyler Perry took charge of the receiving game.
Hamlett finished the day with 11 receptions for 153 yards. The 6-foot 7-inch, 258-pound Hamlett and Perry handled all tight end and H-Back duties for the day.
“He’s a nice, big target – easy to throw to,” quarterback Cody Vaz said. “He’s really coming along well; he’ll be a good asset for us.”
Riley emphasized the need for Hamlett and Perry (4 for 79 yards) to continue doing what they have all spring. They have made their presence known and have added depth to a critical part of the Beaver offense.
“If we get this going with our tight ends again, and we get our receivers back, we’re going to have a really good receiving corps,” Riley said.
Sophomore tailback Jovan Stevenson was second with seven receptions for 41 yards. Junior wide receiver Markus Wheaton was covered well and finished with two catches for 52 yards.
Vaz, who led the first-team offense, had another strong day. He completed 19 of 32 passes for 234 yards. Minus one interception, made by senior safety Lance Mitchell, and some forced throws in the red zone, Vaz showed why he’ll make a solid backup to junior Ryan Katz come fall camp.
“I thought Cody Vaz looked sharp, especially early,” Riley said. “He made a lot of good plays, and so did (Sean) Mannion.”
Taking most of the second team snaps was redshirt freshman Sean Mannion. He completed 13 of 32 passes for 153 yards. His day was partly tarnished by three interceptions. Freshman linebacker D.J. Welch was the first to intercept Mannion, on a tipped ball, and he took the ball back 40 yards for a touchdown. Junior linebacker Feti ‘Unga and redshirt freshman safety Ryan Murphy each followed with an interception apiece.
The defense dominated more as the day progressed. Towards the end of the scrimmage, sophomore linebacker Michael Doctor tagged Vaz for a would-be sack, and then junior defensive end Taylor Henry followed suit just a play later. The offensive line had been sturdy through most of the prior plays.
Doctor led the defense with 10 total tackles, and senior defensive tackle Dominic Glover, who has moved from defensive end this spring, had three tackles-for-loss including a pair of sacks.
Apart from the final-play dash to the end zone by Marable, OSU’s aggressive defensive line kept the rushing game to a minimum, with first and second string tailbacks Ryan McCants and Jovan Stevenson combining for 85 rushing yards. McCants carried the ball 16 times for 57 yards, while Stevenson finished with 12 for 28 yards. Marable had 13 carries for 102 yards against the third string.
Wheaton, junior cornerback Jordan Poyer and sophomore cornerback Rashaad Reynolds handled kickoff and punt returns well. Riley said he was pleased with the amount of special teams work today.
The Beavers are finished with football until fall camp, which begins in August.
Notes: Head coach Mike Riley announced the 2011 team captains Saturday morning. They will be linebacker Cameron Collins, defensive tackle Kevin Frahm, safety Lance Mitchell, offensive tackle Mike Remmers and flanker James Rodgers.
SCORING PLAYS
D.J. Welch, 40-yard interception return
Max Johnson, 38-yard field goal
Trevor Romaine, 34-yard field goal
Max Johnson, 34-yard field goal
Malcolm Marable, 65-yard rush
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING (No-Yds-TD)
Malcolm Marable 13-102-1; Ryan McCants, 16-57; Jovan Stevenson, 12-28; Markus Wheaton, 1-11; Sean Mannion, 1-3.
PASSING (Att-Comp-Int-Yds-TD)
Cody Vaz, 32-19-1-234-0; Sean Mannion, 32-13-3-156-0; Jack Lomax, 12-7-0-111-0.
RECEIVING (No-Yds-TD)
Connor Hamlett, 11-153; Jovan Stevenson, 7-41; Tyler Perry, 4-79; Mitch Singler, 3-72; Kevin Cummings, 3-55; Obum Gwacham, 3-20; Markus Wheaton, 2-52; Ryan McCants, 2-8; Darrell Catchings, 1-12; Brett Ackerman, 1-9; Garett Hall, 1-9; Malcolm Marable, 1-3
DEFENSE
LEADING TACKLERS
Michael Doctor, 10; Cameron Collins, 6; Jordan Poyer, 6; Michael Bibbee, 5; Lance Mitchell, 5; Feti ‘Unga, 5; Brian Watkins, 5; D.J. Welch, 5.
TACKLES-FOR-LOSS
Dominic Glover, 3; Josh Parish, 2; Michael Doctor,1; Andrew Seumalo, 1; Cameron Collins, 1; Blake Harrah, 1; Taylor Henry, 1; Kevin Frahm, 1; Shiloah Te’o, 1.
SACKS
Dominic Glover, 2; Michael Doctor, 1; Shiloah Te’o, 1; Andrew Seumalo, 1; Kevin Frahm, 1; Taylor Henry, 1; Blake Harrah, 1.
INTERCEPTIONS
Lance Mitchell, 1; D.J. Welch, 1; Feti ‘Unga, 1; Ryan Murphy, 1.
PASSES BROKEN UP
Ryan Murphy, 3; Josh LaGrone, 3; Josh Parish, 1; Keynan Parker, 1; Brandon Hardin, 1; Rueben Robinson, 1; Anthony Watkins, 1; Taylor Henry, 1.
FORCED FUMBLES
Ryan Murphy, 1.
FUMBLE RECOVERIES
Rueben Robinson, 1.
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