Home Athletics In-Game Comments: USC @ Oregon State

In-Game Comments: USC @ Oregon State

220

G'morning, Beavlettes.

You know the routine by now. Here is your place to have a voice and rant about the Beavers effort versus the Trojans. Hopefully enough of you still care about the season so I'm not left talking to myself. And hopefully Marc Tyler isn't as big and fast as he looks on film. *Gulp*

Let's have some fun today, since the game may not provide it.

Over/under on the number of Keith Pankey whiffed tackles: 5

I'm taking the over!

Over/under on the number of Keith Pankey tackles for a loss: 1

I'm taking the under on this one!

Me and the lady Beav are celebrating Thanksgiving today since she'll be out of town on Thursday. Nothing like wallowing in the gluttony of pumpkin pie to curb misery. "Another touchdown, another slice" is my motto for the day. Come on, Beavs, show up and keep me svelte. Seriously though, be cautiously optimistic, but have the gin by your side and ready to go.

220 COMMENTS

  1. I was at American Eagle today wearing my Oregon State hoodie, and one of the people working there said” Oh, my cousin goes to Oregon State.” Needless to say I was surprised considering I live In Mass.

  2. I’ll be at Reser tonight, in my usual seat in the North end zone with my kids, trying to keep warm while screaming my lungs out for the Beavers (and against the Trojans, especially when Matt Barkley is trying to call signals within 500 feet of us…)

    Execution was the problem at UCLA a few weeks ago. Last week at Reser against Washington State, the problem instead was a shocking and disheartening lack of effort (similar to the first quarter at Washington).

    But hope springs eternal among Beaver fans. I’m hoping for — and expecting — a much better effort from the Beavs tonight. If we get that effort along with good execution — plus some truly nasty weather thrown in — I think the Beavs can beat USC.

    And, make no mistake, beating USC tonight is worth some effort. As noted in other posts, there will be some top recruits attending tonight’s game at Reser. And it’s yet another game with a big TV audience for the Beavs (ABC coverage tonight). Who knows how many recruits — and their dads — will be watching.

    Go Beavers!!

  3. I am going to watch the wacky “one end zone” Northwestern/Illinois game, enjoy a couple of adult beverages and get ready for the game. I really hope the Beavs can show us something today. As a life long Beaver fan, I really do not want to back to that feeling of helplessness when you knew the team just did not have the talent to compete. I kind of feel that way about the O and D lines right now and it is not a good feeling!

  4. I feel you about living in the South and not being able to watch the Beavers. I think this is the first time a Gator game has not been on at the same time as the Beavers so Ill actually be able to get a bar to turn on the game.

  5. Got my Jack Daniels all set and ready to go for the game, and I don’t want to start too early otherwise I will be toast by halftime.

    Cal laid an egg against Stanford today. The Bears are dogshit.

    I hope the Beavs start out with a lot of fire and a whole lot of heart. Recall the point spread in 2008, and we stunned them behind a herculean effort on both sides of the ball.

  6. Is there any indication that there will be a change to “stay the course” coaching? Players blenched, assistant coaches benched, anything to indicate they are doing something to get us out our “dang” slump?

  7. Can we please stop chaning up our uniforms every game! I heard on the radio that we are wearing orange and white. We are not the Ducks and we need to stick to one look. If they need to break out the Orange once in a while then so be it. Otherwise, stick to black and black only. The game hasn’t started and I’m already getting mad.

    • I disagree. If we are going to keep using these uniforms for maybe a few more years or longer (since overall they are good), you have to have a few combos to make it not get stale. I think we are close to a good balance but would also like to see an orange pant option. It could be used at home or away and if at home with either black or orange tops. Then we could see an all orange look used once every couple years for special occassions or a bigtime game. I don’t need 3000 combos but I do like about 6-8. The only combo we haven’t used yet we will see with the Giant Killer unis. Black tops, white pants. I think in future years we should use that at home once a year when it feels right.

  8. Keep in mind, USC hasn’t won in the state of Oregon in 4 years. They have trouble, lots of trouble, winning in either Corvallis or Eugene.

    And I’ll take the under and a push (should have been over/under .5 TOL).

  9. I will be able to watch most of the first half and that’s all. Have to go somewhere but I will check for updates on my phone. I found it to be much better doing that anyway. Seems just when you see everything visually it makes it a million times worse or better depending on what happens. I actually expect the loss so I won’t take it hard this way.

  10. I hate this uniform combination. Standard black on black, or at worst, black pants and orange shirts, but not orange shirts and white pants……it’ll show up too well if they shat their pants!

  11. Pankey being slow actually worked to our advantage for once. He was so far behind his man that he not only left enough room for Poyer to run through and intercept. He actually screened Poyer from Barkley’s view.

    Poyer started tonight. Remember that USC was set up on the two, and the corner had to run out late. That was Poyer. Then they threw it to his side because he gave the receiver a 10 yard cushion.

    USC not making it on 4th and 2–and the replay telling the truth–has had a big effect on this game so far.

    I know the first attempt was sniffed out by a d-lineman, but Langsdorf needs to call that TE screen on a first down. When that pass hits Joe it’s good for at least 15 yards. I think it would be worth at least 30 if we zap them on the next possession. They are running a bunch of guys into the box on first down.

    • That assumes that Langsdorf actually uses the power of observation.

      Our defense is actually doing something and he responds like this? Jesus.

      At least one coordinator is calling a game like he wants to keep his fuckin job.

      • You don’t see Pankey because he usually runs to the nearest blocker and asks for a hug.

        I don’t think anyone doubts Banker’s D is good against pro sets. The problem is that we’ve faced too many option teams, and he doesn’t scheme properly (or have enough discipline and speed) for the option.

        USC is leaving huge voids in the middle of the field.

        I like the fake.

        Huge voids in the middle…

  12. I’m surprised how many people are complaining given the effort so far.

    It’s a little surprising they’re up 17-0, but not surprising they’re winning and playing better given that they have no pressure or expectations. The team seemed suffocated by expectations early in the year, clueless how to deal with adversity in the middle, and now they’re just playing ball since there’s nothing to lose.

    Still think USC has a surge in them, though. Beavs will need 30.

    • I’m complaining because our team doesn’t put together a full game, ever.

      So we might as well do everything necessary to put away teams when we have that 1 quarter surge.

      And then back to back fuck ups from Glover.

      They have been playing with effort, but still without discipline, which has killed us in the last two games.

  13. okay. the great plays by far outnumbered the mistakes in the first half. I am proud of the Beavers effort and look forward to the 2nd half. Still got plenty of Jack left, but not enough for an overtime game…..

  14. Stanford runs a pro style offense correct? I know Luck can run some. Think they add some zone read plays? Or perhaps they will come in cocky and think they are good enough to beat us with their normal play book?

    • Which is exactly why I’m going to complain about the effort of our guys because they don’t have a step on the throat attitude that they’ll need against Stanford and Oregon.

      Until they show me that…I’m not gonna give them an inch since they’ve thrown away a lot of this season.

  15. Uh oh, the Beavers suddenly have pressure on them (to win/finish the game). I was waiting for this moment, and to see how they react. Should be interesting.

    • I’m happy with what our defense has done tonight but I’m afraid this victory is going to give them too big of a head, considering that USC is a team that they are actually designed to stop.

      As soon as the spread comes again…

      • True. Still think Stanford will take our lunch money, but makes me more optmistic we’ll be competitive. Don’t expect us to beat the Ducks, would be great to win at Stanford and put on a decent show in Civil War, win a bowl game. From where we were just a week ago, that’d be great.

    • Well, I think it’s a bit premature to sing Banker’s praises…if his defense DIDN’T beat USC it would mean that he couldn’t succeed against an offense his defense is designed for.

      Like I said…let’s see what happens when they meet up with a smart,mobile QB (Luck looked incredible today against Cal) or Oregon’s offense.

  16. okay people. we gotta hand it to the beavs tonite. they did the job and more so far. Let us be happy with the result and see if we can take care of the Indians next week and then the Dux the following week!

      • I believe they also went for 2 in order to test out their 2 pt. conversion play(s). They could have gotten away with the 1 or the 2 and they chose the 2. I liked the call to see if they could do it when there was no pressure, ala UW game in 2OT.

  17. And that makes us 5-1 when Quizz gets twenty or more carries; 0-4 when he gets under twenty. I only saw the second half, but the play-calling looked much better. Not perfect, but a big improvement. The team at least showed up this week. Hopefully a 5-7 season will light a fire under the coaches.

  18. 1.) We played a great game overall, but USC looked lost out there a lot; let’s see how we do against Stanford.

    2.) Mike Riley was a different coach; firing up guy, challenging plays, and getting in the refs faces to the point where he gets a penalty? Where did this come from?

    3.) Offensive line played better than usual, but still sucks. Nothing new there.

    4.) Was it bad that I felt a little joy when Pankey left with an injury?

    5.) We have to cut it out with the stupid penalties; there were at least 2 penalties that should of never happened.

    6.) Our WR’s are great, I just wish Katz could stand in the pocket a little more and distribute it more; he improved doing that in this game.

    7.) The Poyer INT return for TD couldn’t of came at a better time with McClure at the game; I really hope we can get him, as it would be a huge get.

  19. My dad is a prof at OSU and met w/ McClure and his mom to discuss academics a few hours before the game. Said he was a really nice kid – didn’t like the weather but enjoyed the visit and had good things to say about coaches and OSU. Would be a huge get!

  20. I’m so proud of Coach Riley (notice the appreciative coach qualifier) for sticking up for his players and arguing with the refs. Losing a few yards on the unsportsmanlike penalty is a small price to pay for letting the team know you’ll stick up for them. I hope this continues… no more passive nice-guy bullshit.

    Also, Angry, how bout setting up the website to use a cookie to store the username and email address so we don’t have to enter it each time. I don’t like it. If you need, I can help ya out with it. I’m working on my PhD in computer science… it’d be nice to put my talents to use for something that really maters. :D

  21. Just back from Reser (where my kids and I ran onto the field with ten thousand other people after the game, just for fun…)

    Don’t know how it looked on TV, but from my seat in the north end zone it looked like USC came out completely flat. USC this week reminded me of OSU last week against Washington State — an embarrassing lack of effort.

    Not taking anything away from the Beavs, who played pretty well most of the game, especially the defense. But the offense and Katz still left a lot of plays on the field. Seemed like we could have and should have put the game away a lot earlier, if the offense could have sustained some drives in the middle of the game. But after we got the lead it seemed like the offense got predictable and ineffective. There just seemed a general lack of energy and killer instinct out there tonight in the middle of the game. Luckily for us, USC didn’t seem to give a damn at all.

    Anyway, great win tonight at Reser. The recruits in attendance should be impressed.

    And things should be much more interesting now against Stanford next week.

    • Also in the north endzone, section 20, and had the same gut reaction. But seeing as I have a fervent dislike for that clown Kiffen, I thought maybe it was just me.

      All in all, I was simply glad to see a good effort by the Beavs, some passion from the coaches ( a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct–Booooo!) and a W on the board…

      Until I thought maybe a mobbing on the field would be fun…

      Of course the blue clad staff tried to keep fans off the field when Dockery came over and implored fans to storm the gates…

      So some snapshots on the field after the game to send the in-laws/SC fans was delightful icing on the cake.

  22. I watched this game on DVR, so I wasn’t on here for the normal flow of the game. To be honest, I was surprised at the persistent negativity. A good portion of the “mistakes” called out on this thread are just players making plays – USC has some talented kids, and they are going to win their share of plays.

    Before the first snap, I could see a different attitude on the sideline. I told LadyGreatWhiteHunter (ha) that we were going to win this game before our first series.

    I loved the play calling, and I saw Katz actually run through read progressions and make the right decision. Our offensive line played by far their best game, and a couple of the holding penalty calls were BS.

    Guys were flat flying around on defense. There were none, zero blown coverages where there was no one in orange to be seen.

    Collins was a monster.

    Hardin looked good, even had a swagger about him. Did you see that hit he had in kick coverage? BLEW the guy up.

    I wish Gabe Miller had started his career as a DE.

    Paea was ridiculous. Flat out unstoppable.

    I absolutely loved Riley tonight. For once he didn’t look like he couldn’t wait for the game to end so he could get to IHOP for the Ruity Tooty Fresh and Fruity special. When the camera focused in on him after Wheaton was slammed to the ground out of bounds, he was straight up giving the ref the business, screaming and spitting. I’ll even take the 15 yard penalty that put us out of FG range after the PI no-call. Thanks coach, that’s what we need, what the boys need from you!

    A great effort that would have resulted in wins vs. WU, fUCLA, and WSU had it been on display in those games.

    Nice win Beavers.

    • I agree that there wasn’t much to be negative or critical about. I pretty much liked what I saw–my only complaint would actually be a question: why couldn’t Riley get his team this emotional earlier?

      • You are right on, Angry. I can’t even count the times I screamed “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL FUCKING YEAR” at the TV after a big stop on 3rd or 4th down tonight. The Mrs. kept saying…”aren’t we winning?” She don’t get it.

        With that effort on the field, and the creativeness and game plan execution by the coaching staff, we are 7-0 in Pac10 play right now.

        And that pisses me off. I feel cheated out of the suspense of the conference championship race.

          • I was going to write a piece on this. Last year I mentioned how uniforms matter, and a bunch of trolls from Blitz blasted me. If you read Cliff’s blog, watch the Linnenkohl clip at the 1:20 mark. Paraphrasing, but he pretty much said, “we played well because we felt good in those colors.”

          • Angry,
            I just watched the Alex Linnenkohl interview – great interview by the way. What he was describing is exactly what I was getting at in my first post above – I could feel the difference in energy levels tonight; it came through loud and clear 500 miles from my living room.

            Looking forward to your uniform blog. Please include a petition to never, ever, wear the terrible, drab, black-on-black uniforms. I can’t remember a good game in that combination including the games against Hawaii, and University of Portland. And it looks awful, especially if the game is on FSN standard definition.

          • Angry had a comment earlier in this thread about the Steelers uni’s. They had white, black and yellow uni’s with yellow pants and a BIG black stripe on the pants. I’m talking BIG like the yellow on the front and back actually qualify as the stripe.

            I can go for an orange pant like that. I can even go for a white pant like that. But

      • Yeah, they pretty much dominated USC in all phases of the game, nothing to complain about, but it is probably too little too late unless they come up with another out of this world effort on the road against Stanford.

    • Nobody seems sure. My gut says complacency. I don’t think a lifetime contract would motivate anyone to their maximum potential, even a naturally hard worker like Riley. Some of it’s on the supporting staff and players, too. But they take cues from the head man. It’s a complex issue.

  23. Nobody has anything to say about rivalry games being played two weeks early? Wasn’t Cal fan the biggest opponent to the zipper plan because we might end up with some rematch a week later? And if we held the rivalry game earlier, then it would detract from the value of the game?

    Whatever.

    Another pro set offense next week. Oh joy!

    Luck is too smart a QB to lose to us. Here’s to Harbaugh’s ego and the hope that he uses it against us. Otherwise, we don’t stand much of a chance.

  24. And I forgot to say…
    That was a very nice game by our team. I can’t explain how appreciative I am that we make open field tackles and stuff short runs.

    This is not the same team who played last week. Make last week’s team go away.

  25. My two cents worth….

    Was that Riley’s evil twin brother at the game? If so, can he please come back for the next two games?

    Our defense definitely won the game, although as everyone noted, USC’s style was made for us.

    Katz has wheels, let him use them once in a while. He did better, and oh my Lord he actually checked down a couple times… okay those were designed plays but a guy can dream can’t he?

    Quizz, give him about a 3 foot hole and he will take a mile… nuff said.

    Bottom line is for me that I am 1 of maybe 10 OSU fans in the greater LA area and I get to rub this game in millions of peoples faces this week. I LOVE football this week.

  26. Does anyone else feel that Paea finally brought his A game? I was stunned when they flashed that graphic that he only had 28 tackles all season. I think it was Belloti that alluded to the fact that the scouts were looking for more production out of him. I know about the double and triple teams, but for all the preseason hype I was looking for a Suh type season. Yesterday, he delivered.

  27. Listening to the after game interviews the common theme was practice was different this week. What ever the difference was let’s hope they do more of the same this week in practice.

    My guess is Riley’s light bulb came on and he said to himself, gosh golly, I have to change thinks up and lite a fire under everyone… gosh golly.

    Next move Riley, take over play calling, get through the season and replace your coordinators.

    I’m happy that with recruits visiting we put on a good showing.

  28. Another thing about being there, in person, at Reser last night — even during warmups the energy level was noticeably higher than it has been all year. My kids and I discussed this before kickoff — there was just a really high-energy buzz that you could feel at Reser last night.

    I think the buzz came from the combination of it being: (1) a night-game, where everything just looks sharper under the bright lights; (2) a cold, clear evening, making it feel and look even sharper; (3) USC, with their famous uniforms, their infamous coach, and the whole USC-vibe happening; (4) an ABC-televised game, knowing that lots of people would be watching the Beavs and seeing what they could do against big, bad USC.

    I believe the very high energy level at Reser had a significant impact on last night’s game. The OSU defense fed off the crowd for sure. I think the OSU offense did, too. When things started going bad for USC (esp. when Poyer got the pick-six to start Q2), the crowd seemed to get into USC’s head (“here we go again at Reser”) and make it worse. Heck, the crowd even got into Riley’s head at least a little (how else to explain Riley throwing down his headphones and drawing a 15-yard penalty). And I think the Beaver team mosh pit between Q3 and Q4 was, again, a direct result of the overall energy level at Reser last night. It was electric.

    Here’s hoping that the crowd at Reser can bring that kind of energy and atmosphere to the Civil War game on December 4. If I had my druthers, this year’s Civil War game would be moved from 12:30 pm to 5 pm. I was at Autzen last year for the nighttime Civil War game, and the atmosphere was awesome. It would be great if this year’s Civil War could be changed to a night game as well….

  29. College Gameday was highly interested in coming to Corvallis for the Civil War and first time ever to Corvallis. Since we drubbed USC you would think it would help seal the deal.

    Any update Angry or anyone else?

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