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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Jim Belushi's Rogue River cabin preserves character of historic Elk picnic grounds ... Our View: Dispensaries appear to be good neighbors ... Flores-Zambrano pleads guilty in drug-trafficking case ... Jim Belushi's Rogue River cabin preserves character of historic Elk picnic grounds ... Our View: Dispensaries appear to be good neighbors ... Flores-Zambrano pleads guilty in drug-trafficking case ... COLLEGE FOOTBALL Injuries force Beavers' Haskins into spotlight Comment By Connor Letourneau The Oregonian MailTribune.com By Connor Letourneau The Oregonian Posted Nov. 25, 2014 at 8:21 PM By Connor Letourneau The Oregonian Posted Nov. 25, 2014 at 8:21 PM » Social News CORVALLIS — Damien Haskins could not lift weights in peace when he arrived here in August 2013. Oregon State teammates loitered around Haskins, verbalizing their amazement at the running back’s muscle-building escapades. Months passed, the incredible became ordinary. These days, Beavers players hardly notice when Haskins sets a new personal best on the bench press. Fullback Tyler Anderson estimates the redshirt freshman is up to 450 pounds, a number typically reserved for linemen. “It’s old news now,” Anderson said, “so it’s not a big deal.” Haskins’ physical tools are obvious. At 5-foot-9 and 232 pounds, he is a human bowling ball who finishes the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. A recent rash of injuries has forced Haskins into the spotlight, freeing him to capitalize on natural gifts come game days. Haskins was OSU’s fourth ball carrier entering its Nov. 15 upset of Arizona State. Practice reps — much less action on Saturdays — were proving elusive. Then Terron Ward (knee), Chris Brown (shoulder) and Storm Woods (undisclosed) went down in rapid succession. With the Beavers down 16 points late in the third quarter Saturday, running backs coach Chris Brasfield approached Haskins on the Husky Stadium sideline: “You’re up.” The former three-star recruit ran hard, hitting holes with the same force that characterized a record-setting prep career. In six carries, he rushed for 27 yards. Haskins’ highlight came on first-and-10 of his second series. He took the handoff, burst through space and rumbled 13 yards before Washington linebacker Travis Freeney corralled him at the Huskies’ 13-yard line. The romp, which helped set up a Jordan Villamin touchdown catch, was nearly three times his career rushing total before that Seattle trip. “I think I did pretty good for my first time going in and working on a couple series,” Haskins said. “Obviously I have stuff to work on, but for my first time coming out as a running back, I think I did a pretty good job with it.” Haskins will log significant snaps in Saturday’s Civil War. At this point, he is the only scholarship running back practicing with the travel squad. Anderson, a fullback the past three-plus years, is taking the second-team tailback carries. Head coach Mike Riley expects Woods to ease back into workouts and play against the Ducks. Even if Woods starts, of course, the Beavers’ pro-style offense requires a No. 2 ball carrier to fill a key role. “I don’t blink one bit playing him,” Riley said of Haskins. “I think he’s a very, very capable runner. He’s a tough kid. I think he’s going to be a real good player for us all the way down the line.” Haskins emerged as a major-conference recruit his senior season at New Boston High School in rural Northeast Texas. After two years as a varsity backup, Haskins scraped together a school-record 3,250 yards for an area-record 52 touchdowns. He was a nightmarish assignment for teenage defenders. In two games with the 2012 Lions, Haskins had five carries and five touchdowns. But parlaying prep stardom into a Pac-12 niche is often a daunting task. Last year, Haskins waded through a sizable learning curve on the Beavers’ scout team. He endured his share of practice beatings against the starting defense. Often overwhelmed with new routes and concepts, he tiptoed through holes. By fall camp this past August, he was powering through openings with the confidence of a veteran. But Haskins was far from a complete running back. He was slow growing comfortable as a pass catcher and blocker. It didn’t help that practice opportunities were limited. As OSU’s fourth running back, he spent much of workouts toiling through mental reps. Haskins returned to the scout team multiple times this year for much-needed carries. This week, Haskins is focused on developing in the pass game. He stayed on the Prothro practice fields late Monday, hauling in strikes from third-string quarterback Brent VanderVeen. A first- or second-team Beavers running back, he recognizes, must contribute in all phases of the game. “This is a complex offense,” Brasfield said. “You’ve got to have some intelligence to play this game and kind of figure out what we’re doing. I think he’s doing fine.” Haskins has already solidified his status as the running back group’s resident Iron Man. But the success he seeks comes outside the weight room. By Connor Letourneau The Oregonian MailTribune.com By Connor Letourneau The Oregonian Posted Nov. 25, 2014 at 8:21 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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