OSUBeavers.com released some excerpts from Coach Riley's press conference with the media. The big things we learned: Canfield is 99% sitting out this week against Washington. Moevao will get the start. Yvenson will probably be back. Defense end Dorian Smith will also be out with a knee sprain. We'll examine these two injuries in greater depth late in the week. Now, for some quotes from Riley:
"They have played an interesting season, In fact they were ahead in a lot of games in the first half. As you watch their film most of those games are all tight and they just didn't win them. They got their win last week, but they have competed with everybody basically and done a nice job. I watched their USC game; they played very well and were in it right to the end. I see a good football team, a team that has definitely improved. They have added a tremendous weapon to their team, I think it gives their whole team confidence in their ability to move the ball and score points and therefore put them in a position to win."
On Lyle Moevao...
"There is no question he has more mobility then Canfield. He can react quickly and make some good plays. I always look back to the play against Utah on the blitz where he threw the slant pattern to Darrell Catchings that was a big time play for him. He is a tough guy, he's competitive, and he will be well prepared."
On the keys for Moevao and the offense...
"I think Lyle (Moevao) has to run the offense effectively, manage the game, and play with confidence. He is very capable, I'm glad he has gotten the work that he has gotten through the year. We all know that it was a quarterback competition that carried on quite a ways. But we have good feelings about him, our goal was to develop two guys who we thought were both semi-starters, and could both play in a game, so this is his opportunity to show what he can do in a starting role. I know our coaching staff and our whole team will have confidence in him."
On Yvenson Bernard; the heart and soul of the team...
"He has made a tremendous impact on our program, our school, and all of us individually. He is really a fun guy to be around. He doesn't have very many bad days, and his approach to practice, and his approach to life is special. He has earned his spot as a leader on our team as a two-year captain, which signifies a lot of respect. If he's not the best, he is definitely in the top two or three, best all-around players I have ever been around when talking about running, blocking, receiving, smart, and extremely tough. He is the heart and soul of this team."
--JB--