The countdown to fall camp has reached 14 days-- two more full weeks. 

--Anyone who closely follows Beaver football has probably heard of the humanitarian efforts of Taylor Kavanaugh. In fact, we welcomed the Beaver receiver and punt returner onto Building the Dam last summer for an interview. Not only is Taylor active in the community, but you may of heard of his spring break trip to Guatemala, where he helped to build a house with fellow Oregon State engineering students. In recognition of his efforts, Taylor has been nominated by OSU Sports Information Director Steve Fenk for the 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.  A record 106 other players have also been nominated from around the country. From these nominees, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team members and prominent college football media members will be responsible for selecting two 11-player Good Works Teams - one composed of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, and a combined team representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA. To see a full list of nominees, head over to the AFCA's website. 

--In the Alumni department, two former Beavers have signed professional contracts. Offensive linesman Andy Levitre signed Sunday with the Buffalo Bills. Levitre is expected to compete for a starting job in training camp, and has an aggressive attitude on his rookie season:

"I'm not coming in here to be a backup. I'll definitely come out and compete with these guys. I know there are some great players here, but I'm going to play my best and if I get the starting job that's it."

Also, former defensive linesman Victor Butler singed a four-year deal with the Cowboys late last week. His agent, Jack Scharf, had only positive things to say to the Dallas News:

"He's excited. I'm going to pick him up at the airport in San Antonio tomorrow and he's going to stay with me at my home until Tuesday. He's thrilled. He had to stay away from his teammates for a period of time because of the quarter system at Oregon State, but he's excited to get going."

Butler looks to fit in behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer on the Cowboys' defensive line this season. 

--Pac-10 Media Day is this Thursday, which means the pre-season media poll will be released. For Oregon State, this means they will likely see their name lower than they will actually finish, if history holds true. Nick Daschel of Buster Sports outlines how past pre-season polls have stood up.

--Tom Eggers of the Roseburg News-Review has a special feature on former Beaver tight end Joe Newton, who is spending some time at home before he looks to make the Seattle Seahawks' roster for the upcoming season. Newton has yet to dress for a regular season game, but has spent two seasons on the practice squad. 

"(The Seahawks) have kept me around for two years, and must have thought I had some potential and are willing to invest in it," Newton said. "I'd like to show them it worked. That's my goal."

--Ted Miller touched on Oregon State today in his "While you were on vacation" series, with a few quick points. Nothing new here, just a brief recap of the summer. 

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)