A PRISM contribution; written by Jason Roberts
As the final week of spring practice approaches in Corvalis, head coach Mike Riley’s offense is finding success against what currently looks like a very weak defensive secondary — especially with quarterback Sean Canfield decimating the Beavers’ safeties and corners to the tune of up to 500 yards passing per scrimmage. Darrell Catchings has proven a clear-cut go-to in a wide receiver corps expected to be hurt by the departure of both Sammie Stroughter and Shane Morales, and tells reporters that while he’s under a lot of pressure to step up and establish himself as a pass catcher, he is more than ready to meet the challenge. Meanwhile, Paul Buker of The Oregonian argues which OSU passer — Canfield or Lyle Moevao — might get the call to start against Portland State in the 2009 season opener, discussing as well the probability of Brennan Oleander earning a scholarship as a walk-on along OSU’s defensive line. Of interest too, Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel inquires whether or not Jeremy Francis could end up playing football for the Central Florida Knights as soon as this fall.
Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel explains that it is looking more and more likely that former Oregon State running back Jeremy Francis could be transferring to the University of Central Florida as early as this fall in order to finish his collegiate football career. Owens writes that Francis “will not seek a medical hardship” to play in the 2009 season and is currently awaiting official notice from the Beavers’ football program that he has been released. The former star of last year’s 2008 Sun Bowl against the Pittsburgh Panthers, the young running back explains, “I don’t think I would be prepared to compete for a starting position . . . . [but] would like to redshirt, learn the system and then give my all for my last season and make something happen.”
PRISM/freelantz 