Beavers Have To Get Better In A Lot Of Things

So says Oregon State Defensive Coordinator Kalani Sitake, a statement that won't qualify for the "Breaking News" header at the top of the page.

Unfortunately, it won't be easy to do so Saturday night in Berkeley, when Oregon State visits California. The lack of some healthy bodies certainly will complicate the problem.

Quarterback Seth Collins, who has missed the last 2 games, and RB Ryan Nall, who left the UCLA game last Saturday after a hit to the head, did not practice today, and are ruled out of action against the Bears.

It's also uncertain whether Chris Brown will be able to go, but at least Damian Haskins returned to practice, after missing last week, so Storm Barrs-Woods will have some backup. Brown isn't on the depth chart, but Nall is, even though he isn't really.

Nick Mitchell will get another start, with only Marcus McMaryion behind him.

The o-line also might get a shake up, as Isaac Seumalo was working at left tackle in place of Will Hopkins, and Fred Lauina shifted from the left side over to Seumalo's right guard spot. Drew Clarkson stepped in for Lauina at left tackle. The depth chart for this week still shows Hopkins as the starter at left tackle, and Seumalo at right guard, so it could be just an experiment.

Defensively, Treston Decoud did return to the practice field for the first time since leaving the Reser field in an ambulance during the Colorado game, but he had a red no-contact jersey on. His status for Saturday is still up in the air, though the depth chart shows Decoud as the starter.

CB Dwayne Williams is highly questionable for this week as well, after taking his own ride in an ambulance last Saturday, and safety Justin Strong also didn't practice, a new development. Neither is even on the 2-deep.

CB Larry Scott, who didn't finish the UCLA game, after aggravating the ankle injury he suffered in the first half of the Washington State game, is questionable for this week as well, but Coach Gary Andersen is hopeful of having Scott, as he's penciled in as the starter.

Andersen said he didn't see any problems with effort level at practice, but effort and ability are two different things.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com