BEAVER NOTES: Riley says Wildcats – on offense, defense and special teams – have more balance than ever

Moevao fights cold but keeps sense of humor

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Nov 18, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

Jacquizz Rodgers, running away from two Cal defenders, continues to lead the Pac-10 and nation's freshmen in rushing, but his receiving and blocking draw praise, too.

JONATHAN FERREY

THE GAME: Oregon State (7-3, 6-1 Pac-10) at Arizona (6-4, 4-3)

WHEN, WHERE: 4 p.m. PT Saturday, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz.

TV, RADIO: Versus, KPAM (860 AM)

• It’s pretty hard for Oregon State to escape the Rose Bowl talk. The 21st-ranked Beavers are constantly reminded that if they win the next two games – at Arizona Saturday and at home against Oregon on Nov. 29 – they’ll be the Pac-10’s Rose Bowl representative.

“We don’t hide from that,” Oregon State coach Mike Riley says. “Everybody is talking about it and very interested in it, but our focus is on the game at hand. Our players have managed to stay in that mode very well.

“A long time ago, we said, ‘Let’s play one game at a time and enjoy that moment.’ You play the game and then look up afterward and see where you’re at. If you don’t win that game, all that other stuff is out the window.”

Riley says he doesn’t think his players will lose their focus.

“We only get one game a week,” he says. “We put in countless hours to get ready for that game. You’ll never hear us say we overlooked an opponent. The results of this game have major ramifications; we all know that, but we’re not preparing any harder for it. We try to do our best every week.”

• Jacquizz Rodgers leads the Pac-10 in rushing and is ninth in the nation with 1,233 yards and 11 TDs, and he’s the top freshman ground-gainer in the country. What sometimes gets overlooked is he has caught 28 passes for 244 yards and has delivered some bone-crushing blocks.

“That’s one of the things that separates Quizz,” Riley says. “He’s the best blocker and best receiver among our backs. He takes pride in it. Earlier in the year, he told me all the blitzes our defense did in camp has helped him. He’s an all-around really good player.”

• Rodgers needs to average 119 yards in Oregon State’s final three games (including a bowl) to equal Steven Jackson’s school single-season record of 1,690 set in 2002. Rodgers already owns the Pac-10 freshman record.

• Over the past decade, Oregon State has had four all-Pac-10 tailbacks in Rodgers, Ken Simonton, Jackson and Yvenson Bernard. The best blocker?

“That’s hard,” Riley says. “All were really good blockers. Kenny and Ev were excellent receivers. Steven had such unique physical abilities; he did it all at a high level.”

• The run at a Rose Bowl berth and national ranking has brought Oregon State more media attention, including Riley’s spot on the Jim Rome Show Wednesday at 11:05 a.m.

“We appreciate the national attention,” Riley says. “It’s great for our fans, and it’s good for our players. They have gained some respect in that regard, which is important for them as people and as a team.

“There’s a carryover from that to their enthusiasm for what they do. It’s icing on the cake. It’s not the focal point, but a residual of what is going on.”

• Despite some disastrous defensive numbers in last Saturday’s 55-45 loss at Oregon, Arizona has shown proficiency in every area this season.

Coach Mike Stoops’ Wildcats rank second in the Pac-10 in scoring offense (39.7 points per game) and pass efficiency and fourth in total offense (412.9 yards), pass offense (240.5) and rush offense (172.4). They are third in total defense (307.3) and fourth in scoring defense (22.7).

Senior quarterback Willie Tuitama, the Arizona record-holder in every season and career pass and total offense category, ranks first in the Pac-10 in passing yardage (2,321, with 18 TDs and seven interceptions) and second in pass efficiency. Tailback Nic Grigsby, a 5-10, 180-pound sophomore, is third in the conference in rushing with 941 yards and 11 TDs. Senior Mike Thomas, the school career receptions leader with 240, leads the Pac-10 in receptions (56) and is second in receiving yardage (680). And sophomore tight end Rob Gronkowski (6-6, 260) hauled in 12 passes for 143 yards against Oregon.

Thomas leads the Pac-10 in punt return average (13.5), and freshman Keola Antolin is fourth in kickoff-return average (23.5).

“It’s the most-balanced Arizona team we’ve faced,” Riley said. “Offense, defense, the kicking game – they’re all at a high level.

“Mike has done a great job with that program. We’ve seen that team grow. They have a lot of weapons offensively, they’ve always had a solid defense, and they have two of the leading returners in the conference. And (Gronkowski) needs to garner some attention. He’s a versatile athlete who makes plays.”

• Riley on the 6-3, 220-pound Tuitama: “He’s one of the top quarterbacks in the Pac-10. It seems like he has been playing forever. I remember I liked him in high school. I’ve always like the way he throws the ball. He has a great release. He’s having his best year. I have a lot of respect for him.”

• Against Oregon, Arizona showed a variety of offensive formations, from the spread to the I.

“That’s who they are,” Riley says. “One play they’ll be in a tight formation; the next play, they’ll be spread across the field. That’s the beauty of what they do. It’s hard for defenses, because you get a little bit of everything.”

• OSU defensive coordinator Mark Banker, with his take on Arizona’s offense: “They have their unique flavor. They have two really good backs (Grisgsby and Antolin), both quick guys. Nobody’s like our guy (Rodgers). Quizz is much stronger, but they’re similar to that. They do a good job of finding the cracks, and the next thing you know, they get vertical.

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