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| Coach Riley argues with ref on what could have been called a last minute pass interferance. Couresty: seattletimes.com |
By: Michael Rivera
The LBCC Commuter
Video/Sports Editor
It was a gloomy day for the Beaver Nation as the Washington Huskies handed Oregon State their first loss of the season. Oregon State, who was previously ranked #7, now has to battle back up hill at #13 in the nation.
The Oregon State defense did a pretty decent job of limiting the amount of points in order to keep Oregon State in contention. The biggest factor was preventing so many of those interceptions into scores. This game was not a blowout; it was a game of who made the fewest mistakes. With Oregon State’s 4 interceptions to Washington’s 1, it was no surprise why Washington thrived. It almost seemed as if Washington used Oregon State’s game plan to pull off a win. Regardless, it was a game that could have gone either way. Washington had 8 penalties for 86 yards that costed them scores and great scoring position. Honestly, it was the Huskies game to lose in the 4th quarter.
Sean Mannion’s return to the Beaver’s starting crew was less glorious than expected. He looked shaky from the get go. There’s evidence of a loss in his mobility and timing. Several times in the game, Mannion couldn’t drop back fast enough to set up deep throws and was forcing passes, where he needed to throw it away. Many of his last interception would have been a score if not for a Washington penalty.
It was even harder for Mannion once Markus Wheaton left the game and didn’t return after a hard hit he took in the second quarter. Wheaton, who one of the PAC-12 fastest receivers and a team captain, had to watch his team struggle without him on the field. Storm Woods, who ended up with 90 yards on 15 carries, had to leave the game with a knee injury. Woods has been battling bruising to his knee for several weeks, but has been able to give the Beavers a strong option at running back. His backup, Malcolm Agnew, has been a bit inconsistent but has shown he can be a great change of pace when the two backs play in tandem.
I give coach Mike Riley a lot of credit. He is as faithful to his players and much as they are to him. Was starting Mannion fresh off coming back from an injury a good call? Should Cody Vaz, the junior backup, have given the Beavers a better shot at winning? We can sit here and debate all we like about it, but it is what it is.
Going back to Mannion, you couldn’t have pulled him out of the game until that last interception. Why? After he threw that 54 yard strike to Brandin Cooks to tie the game up in the third, everybody saw the quarterback from the beginning of the year. Everybody’s faith was restored.
The fact of the matter is that Mannion was named the starter from the beginning of the season. He got injured and Vaz got his opportunity to play. Vaz, in my opinion, made the best of his shot and has, ultimately, shown his team they can have faith in him. But even Vaz knows he’s the backup. He doesn’t complain about it, he does his job when he is asked to; plain and simple. Coach Riley’s ability to get that kind of loyalty from his players is why Oregon State has been, week-by-week, making history for the football program. One loss does not tarnish or change the any of those accomplishments.
As far as the BCS Standings go, Oregon State is still ranked at No.11, which is a more accurate placement after their loss to Washington. Week 4 of the season, Washington has beat a #8 Stanford, who is now No. 15 in the AP poll and No. 13 in the BCS, earlier this year. Oregon State’s last away game will be against Stanford, which gives them a great opportunity to move up in the rankings before they face Cal and a very intimidating Oregon at home.
Also to remember is that five of the top ten teams in the nation have 1 or 2 losses this season. So as the Beaver Nation look forward to Dad’s Weekend and Arizona State coming into town this weekend, we can only hope that Oregon State will bounce back.
I give coach Mike Riley a lot of credit. He is as faithful to his players and much as they are to him. Was starting Mannion fresh off coming back from an injury a good call? Should Cody Vaz, the junior backup, have given the Beavers a better shot at winning? We can sit here and debate all we like about it, but it is what it is.
Going back to Mannion, you couldn’t have pulled him out of the game until that last interception. Why? After he threw that 54 yard strike to Brandin Cooks to tie the game up in the third, everybody saw the quarterback from the beginning of the year. Everybody’s faith was restored.
The fact of the matter is that Mannion was named the starter from the beginning of the season. He got injured and Vaz got his opportunity to play. Vaz, in my opinion, made the best of his shot and has, ultimately, shown his team they can have faith in him. But even Vaz knows he’s the backup. He doesn’t complain about it, he does his job when he is asked to; plain and simple. Coach Riley’s ability to get that kind of loyalty from his players is why Oregon State has been, week-by-week, making history for the football program. One loss does not tarnish or change the any of those accomplishments.
As far as the BCS Standings go, Oregon State is still ranked at No.11, which is a more accurate placement after their loss to Washington. Week 4 of the season, Washington has beat a #8 Stanford, who is now No. 15 in the AP poll and No. 13 in the BCS, earlier this year. Oregon State’s last away game will be against Stanford, which gives them a great opportunity to move up in the rankings before they face Cal and a very intimidating Oregon at home.
Also to remember is that five of the top ten teams in the nation have 1 or 2 losses this season. So as the Beaver Nation look forward to Dad’s Weekend and Arizona State coming into town this weekend, we can only hope that Oregon State will bounce back.
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