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muvet
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Post: #1
 
New QB, D are key for Oregon State
By Mel Kiper Jr.

After a 7-5 season in 1999 followed by a tremendous 11-1 campaign in 2000, Oregon State dropped to 5-6 last season. Three-point losses to USC and Oregon prevented coach Dennis Erickson's Beavers from achieving another winning season.

OFFENSE
For Oregon State to bounce back in 2002, new QB Derek Anderson must surface as one of the bright young quarterbacks in college football. Based on how he was regarded coming out of high school and from the rave notices emanating from Corvallis, it appears Erickson has a blue-chip signal caller capable of excelling in the Pac-10 and on a national stage.


Oregon State's Derek Anderson has the tools to be among the top young QBs in college football.
A 6-foot-5, 235-pound sophomore, Anderson has the physical stature and arm strength, though the question early this year is how quickly he can settle in and perform at a high level. While he reportedly enjoyed an outstanding spring practice session, he struggled in the spring game, completing just 7-of-30 for 111 yards. He was intercepted three times and didn't throw a TD pass.

Even though highly touted RB Ken Simonton has moved on, the Beavers should have a potent ground game, featuring skilled sophomore Steven Jackson. Jackson (6-1, 225) can get it done with quickness or power, reminding some observers of a young Eddie George. Also keep in mind that while Simonton was an excellent collegiate performer, he went undrafted in April.

Senior wide receiver James Newson will be the primary option in the passing game. As a junior, he had 57 catches for a 17-yard average and five TDs. However, who will emerge as the No. 2 wideout remains a question mark. It could be a by-committee situation, with Shawn Kintner, Seth Trimmer, George Gillett and Kenny Farley all figuring to make significant contributions.

While the loss of veteran center Chris Gibson to graduation definitely hurts, the expectation is that the offensive line will be a solid unit rather than the weak link it turned out to be last season. If the best-case scenario is to occur, sophomore Matt Brock must adequately replace Gibson in the pivot, while OG Mike Kuykendall and OT Lee Davis must provide quality play on the left side.

DEFENSE
While Anderson works his way through growing pains at QB, a talented veteran defense likely will have to carry the Beavers early. Led by standout performers such as DT Eric Manning, DT Dwan Edwards, OLB Nick Barnett, MLB Richard Seigler, CB Terrell Roberts, CB Dennis Weathersby and FS Mitch Meeuwsen, there's no question that the Beavers should field one of the Pac-10's elite defenses.

The talent is distributed evenly throughout the defense, with Weathersby a shut-down cover man and Meeuwsen a star-in-the-making as a sophomore.

Keep an eye on defensive end. During the Beavers' 2000 dream season, seniors LaDairis Jackson and DeLawrence Grant provided a steady, relentless pass rush off the edge.

This season, four DEs -- junior Noah Happe, sophomore Bill Swancutt, junior Dan Rothwell and former juco transfer Jayson Jean-Baptiste -- figure to compete for serious playing time. But there isn't yet a proven dominator to force opponents to adjust their blocking schemes. Swancutt may have the most upside, with Jean-Baptiste also an interesting prospect due to his closing speed from the outside.

OVERVIEW
With Anderson thrust into the spotlight at QB, the success of the Beavers early this season clearly rests on a well-fortified and talent-laden defense that features several All-American candidates. The schedule provides a good opportunity for Anderson to settle in, with a season opener against Division I-AA Eastern Kentucky at home before a road game at Temple on Sept. 7. While things get tougher the following two weeks (UNLV and Fresno State), both games are at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. So, on paper, a 4-0 start is possible before the Beavers travel to USC for their Pac-10 opener on Sept. 28.

QB Anderson has a quality wideout in Newson, but someone must emerge as a solid No. 2 option. The offensive line, led by Kuykendall and Davis on the left side, will be watched closely to see if there will be an upgrade over last season's performance. On defense, if an outside pass rush develops, the Beavers could be outstanding. Manning and Edwards are top-flight DTs, while Seigler ranks as one of the country's elite middle linebackers. Weathersby has first-round ability at CB, while Meeuwsen is an under-publicized blue-chipper at free safety.

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07-20-2002 06:45 PM
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muvet
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Post: #2
 
I think Oregon State had an awesome fight song!!
07-21-2002 07:41 PM
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RacerJoe01
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Post: #3
 
Hmmm....I've never heard it.
07-22-2002 12:08 AM
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muvet
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Post: #4
 
If you want to here it then go to..

<a href="http://www.fightmusic.com" target="_blank">http://www.fightmusic.com</a> and listen to version two. It sounds a lot better than version one!!
07-22-2002 04:09 PM
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RacerJoe01
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Post: #5
 
I agree...that's a good fight song.
08-13-2002 04:09 PM
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muvet
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Post: #6
 
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by JoltinJacket:
I agree...that's a good fight song.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It is a great fight song but I already like my school fight song!! lol <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="smile.gif" />

I must admit though, I do find myself dancing a little bit to the OSU fight song. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="tongue.gif" />
08-18-2002 08:17 PM
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muvet
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Post: #7
 
congrats on the great football victory tonight. I was very impressed with the offense and the defensive.
08-30-2002 12:46 AM
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muvet
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Post: #8
 
I know you fans are so happy to start off the season with a win. I was impressed with Derek Anderson at quarterback against EKU. Steven Jackson also looked great at running back and so Jonathan Smith and Ken Simonton won't be missed that much..lol <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
09-01-2002 05:38 PM
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muvet
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Post: #9
 
Go out and celebrate like it's 1999!!!
09-01-2002 05:56 PM
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muvet
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Post: #10
 
Well celebrate like it's 2000!! That's when you guys did well and crushed Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl to go 11-1... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
09-01-2002 06:07 PM
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