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SUNNY Temp: 59 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, August 29, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 5, 2003 Oregon State running back Steven Jackson, sitting at right, talks to reporters Monday during the team's media day at the Valley Football Center in Corvallis. Jackson returns after rushing for 1,690 yards last season, the best in the Pac-10. AP Riley’s return engagement OSU coach is back, but with a more favorable scheme in place and some top-flight talent By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune CORVALLIS — Mike Riley certainly had reason to smile during Monday’s football media day at Oregon State. His reintroduction in 2003 proved to be a far cry from his initial go-round with the Beavers in 1997. Back then, Riley had to go about transitioning an option-oriented program built by Jerry Pettibone. Coming in now after Dennis Erickson, who spurned OSU this summer for the San Francisco 49ers, is more to Riley’s liking in terms of offensive and defensive sets already in place. Advertisement And the leftover players aren’t too bad, either. "I really like this group," said Riley, who guided the Beavers for two years before becoming head coach of the San Diego Chargers in 1999. "This is a spirited group of guys, and they really like to play football." Few are more spirited, and more talented, then marquee tailback Steven Jackson. As a sophomore last season, Jackson rushed for a Pac-10 Conference-high 1,690 yards to go with 15 touchdowns. And to hear Jackson tell it, the 6-foot-3, 233-pound All-American is just getting warmed up. "I really feel that anything they ask of me, I can do," he said. Few would argue. "Steven Jackson is a lot of fun to be around," said Riley. "It didn’t take long for us to realize we have to turn around and hand him the ball. He’s going to be a major factor in our success." As overpowering as Jackson can be, he told reporters Monday he spent the off-season working on trying to be more elusive. "I feel like I’m big enough to run over anyone," he said, flashing an ear-to-ear grin, "so I just want to give them something else to think about." Jackson can probably rest assured that those on Oregon State’s schedule have done plenty of thinking regarding the tailback. "I’m sure there are people out there thinking that I came outta nowhere last year," he said. "This year, it’s up to me to prove last year was no joke." Even for someone as amiable and light-hearted as Jackson, there’s no topic more serious than his play on the football field. And few answers come as quick as when you ask him if there’s a better running back out there. "No," Jackson said without hesitation, but once again with a sly grin. Only time will tell, but Jackson will need to continue to get a steady performance from his offensive line and improved play by junior quarterback Derek Anderson. Despite breaking OSU single-season records for passing yardage (3,313) and touchdown passes (25), Beaver fans would be hard-pressed to consider Anderson’s first year as a starter a rousing success considering he completed only 47 percent of his passes. Even the 6-6, 226-pounder recognizes there’s room for improvement. "It comes with the position," Anderson said of last year’s criticisms. "When you play as well as I did in the beginning and then things don’t go your way, that’s just the way it is." After viewing game tapes from last year and watching Anderson in person, Riley isn’t so quick to place the lion’s share of blame on the QB. "There were a lot of dropped balls and some blocking breakdowns that contributed to all of that," said the coach. Anderson said the game plan this year is to throw more intermediate routes and occasional dumpoffs to Jackson. Under Erickson, Anderson was mostly asked to show off his powerful right arm on deep routes. "They’re going to put us in the best situation they can for us to make plays," Anderson said. Those options have dwindled in recent weeks with the loss of starting flanker Jayson Boyd, the team’s fastest receiver, due to academics. Still around, however, is senior split end James Newson, who hauled in 74 passes for a school-record 1,284 yards and 12 TDs. "He’s a centerpiece on this team," Riley said of Newson, adding that someone will have to step up in fall camp to take some pressure off the All-American. Leading candidates are returning slot receivers Kenny Farley and Cole Clasen, split end Josh Hawkins and returning flanker George Gillett. The receiving corps would be OSU’s biggest question mark heading into the season were it not for the departure of cornerbacks Dennis Weathersby and Terrell Roberts to the NFL. "I’m not going to lie to you, we lost a lot at cornerback," said senior linebacker Richard Seigler, a Butkus Award candidate. "Someone’s going to have to step in there." Junior Aric Williams (6-0, 172) and redshirt freshman Brandon Browner (6-4, 194) are penciled in as the starters, joining returning free safety Mitch Meeuwsen, who had off-season knee surgery, and strong safety Lawrence Turner. In all, the Beavers, who finished 8-5 last year, return 10 starters on the offense and five on defense. Also returning are placekicker Kirk Yliniemi and punter Carl Tobey. The Beavers were also dealt a blow when defensive end Noah Happe became an academic casualty, but Seigler is confident the front line, anchored by returning right tackle Dwan Edwards and right end Bill Swancutt, can get the job done. And if they can’t, the 6-3, 238-pound middle linebacker is more than willing to provide his own solution. "This is going to be a huge year for me," said Seigler. "I’m getting older now, and this could be my last year in football, so I’m going to make it count." Starting alongside Seigler will be linebackers Seth Lacey and Jason Lowe on the strong side and Jonathan Pollard and Chaz Scott on the weakside. Oregon State opens its season Aug. 28 at Reser Stadium against Sacramento State. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times