Erickson only nostalgic for a victory at Corvallis
CORVALLIS, Ore. – There was his celebrated return to Moscow, his matchup with former assistant John L. Smith, the short trek to his old stamping grounds at Washington State and his first game back on the Kibbie Dome sidelines.
Today the Dennis Erickson Reunion Tour stops in Corvallis – and, he hopes, finally ends.
Erickson has spent a good chunk of August and September talking about returns to his former haunts. He’s cordially told and re-told countless stories, discussed the emotional tugs he feels and reminisced about the rebuilding jobs he orchestrated at each stop.
This week was no different as the Vandals (1-2) prepared to meet Oregon State tonight at Reser Stadium. In some ways, it was probably more stressful because many Beavers fans have made no secret that they wish Erickson was still in Corvallis, where he guided OSU to three bowl games in four years from 1999-2002.
“Hopefully, when this one is over, we don’t have to go on that tour any more and we can concentrate on what we need to get done here,” Erickson said earlier this week.
By week’s end, Erickson was ready for an off-ramp from memory lane. “I’m sick of this, I really am,” he said. “I’ve had enough. This one is the worst of them all. I’m not looking forward to this one.”
The good news for Erickson is that he faces only two more minor tour stops – San Jose State and Fresno State, schools where he served as an assistant coach in the 1970s and early 1980s. The media attention for those games shouldn’t be nearly as intense as it’s been for Erickson’s first four games.
Oregon State (1-1) serves as the last heavyweight on Idaho’s rugged non-conference schedule. The Beavers, picked seventh in Pac-10 preseason polls, one spot ahead of the Cougars, will go 16 days between games after losing 42-14 to Boise State on Sept. 7.
“We have a lot of work to do to come back and gain confidence after that debacle in Boise,” said Mike Riley, who preceded and succeeded Erickson as Oregon State’s coach.
Erickson expects OSU will be rested, healthy and still “seething” over the loss to BSU.
Oregon State has a variety of offensive weapons, led by junior running back Yvenson Bernard (106.5 yards per game). He rushed for 1,321 yards in 2005. The Beavers also return their entire starting line for the first time since 1977.
“I believe they’ll be the best offensive front we’ll face all season,” Idaho linebacker David Vobora said. “They’re big, really physical and athletic. Bernard is a good back and he makes a lot of guys miss. Obviously, our focus is going to be on stopping the run. Boise State was successful because they stopped the run.”
That’s Erickson’s focus, too, but he has some concerns.
“I’m sure they’re looking at the Washington State tape and saying, ‘Wow, can’t wait to play them,’ ” Erickson said.
Senior quarterback Matt Moore, a transfer from UCLA, has a 141.8 passer rating and three touchdown passes, but there’s been some clamor in Corvallis to see more of freshman Sean Canfield.
Receivers Sammie Stroughter, who has returned two punts for touchdowns; Brandon Powers; Ruben Jackson; and Anthony Wheat-Brown have big-play potential. Tight end Joe Newton, a 6-foot-7 target who was recruited to OSU by Erickson’s staff, has three TD catches and will probably match up at times against 5-10 true freshman safety Shiloh Keo.
OSU’s defense, stung for 302 rushing yards by Boise State, is led by an experienced front four and safety Sabby Piscitelli (another Erickson recruit).
Notes
Idaho is banged up but Erickson expects guard Jade Tadvick (shoulder), cornerback Reggie Jones (knee), end Ben Alexander (pulled muscle) and receiver Marlon Haynes (ankle) to be available. … OSU leads the series 35-7 and won the most recent contest 14-7 in 1995. In his first stint at Idaho, Erickson was 1-1 against the Beavers (a 41-22 win in 1984 and a 43-28 loss in 1985). … The Vandals open Western Athletic Conference play next Saturday against Utah State in Logan.