Cougars gain confidence with offensive line
PULLMAN – The offensive line has been an area of significant concern for many followers of Washington State University football this year.
Save for, apparently, the offensive line itself.
“I think a lot of people have been afraid these last few weeks,” center Josh Duin said. ” ‘Oh, what if someone gets hurt?’ And now we have our whole O-line back, and they get a chance to see that some of those guys that haven’t been in the media light yet, that haven’t been on the field yet, are still good enough to go out and play. That’s something we’ve known the whole time.”
Last week against USC, the line had perhaps its finest hour of the season, playing with a number of backups in the starting lineup and at least one starter playing out of position as well.
Still, the Cougars didn’t allow a sack and managed to run the ball effectively.
This week, things appear to be getting a little bit easier, with both Duin and left tackle Bobby Byrd returning from knee injuries.
Byrd, assuming he can go, will slide back into his starting role, although it appears that Duin may back up freshman Kenny Alfred, who started last week in his place.
“We’ll see how it goes, but Bobby’s moving around now,” offensive line coach George Yarno said. “We’ll have some depth, and that will be good.”
Having lost so many starters over the course of the season may end up being a blessing in the long run, both Yarno and multiple players said. Now that a number of linemen have played at different positions through the season, the Cougars appear to be in good shape across the board, since the versatility that Yarno preaches is now obviously a tangible asset on the roster.
“It’s easier in the fact that if we have an injury or two, I still know we can hit on all cylinders,” Yarno said. “There’s no substitute for experience. And now we have a core of about eight kids that have experience. Yeah, I feel comfortable putting any of them in the game.”
Beavers consider QB option
Oregon State coach Mike Riley is still apparently considering the idea of playing backup quarterback Sean Canfield for at least part of the game Saturday after seeing starter Matt Moore struggle against California last week.
“Matt is our starting quarterback. I’ve toyed with the idea of getting Sean time predetermined,” Riley said. “But that’s not set in stone.”
Calls from the stands for Canfield, a redshirt freshman with significant potential, have grown louder in recent weeks. Multiple players have publicly voiced their support for Moore during the week, but the coach still may try to give Canfield at least a series or two to see how he does.
If Riley needs any advice on dealing with the situation, he can always seek out the Cougars’ Bill Doba, who has incorporated backup Gary Rogers into three games this season, although he opted not to do so last week with Alex Brink playing well against the Trojans.