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48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, January 27, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 23, 2004 OSU players arrive for Insight Bowl By CLIFF KIRKPATRICK for the Mail Tribune PHOENIX — They are young men on the road with plenty of time on their hands. That’s why one of the biggest concerns for the coaches on the Oregon State football team preparing for the Insight Bowl is not what Notre Dame will do on the field, but how the players will spend their down time. The Beavers arrived in the Valley of the Sun on Wednesday afternoon, met with the media and bowl game dignitaries and headed for their hotel. After checking in and attending a team meeting, the night was theirs. After meetings and a daily practice until Tuesday's game, coach Mike Riley expects the Beavers to be on their best behavior every night. "It kind of depends where we're at," senior tailback Dwight Wright said of how much nocturnal fun the Beavers seek. "When we went to (Las) Vegas (last year), you can't really keep that tight of a leash on people. People are going to go out. We had a curfew that was 2 to 3 in the morning. But it will change for this game." Riley believes in the honor of the players, even though their reputations have taken a few hits in the last month. That's why the coaches frequently remind them about the hazards of the night life. Advertisement It's more of a concern since two early morning incidents at the Headline Cafe in Corvallis. They involved five players, who have been suspended for the bowl game. "We just continually do that," Riley said. "We've done it before, we've done it since and we'll do it more and more in the future. It's the same thing you have to do with each (road) game." Second-string defensive end Joe Rudulph, 20, has been arraigned by a grand jury for fourth-degree assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. Three 19- year-old teammates, including starting flanker Anthony Wheat-Brown, were with him when the fight started Nov. 12. Reserve offensive lineman Brent Bridges, 22, was cited for disorderly conduct after allegedly being involved in a separate situation Nov. 21. "Things like that happen all the time," Wright said. "People fight, and no one knows the reason why. Things happen, people can speculate, but that's the way of life. You can't judge us all by a few." Still, the reminders of staying out of trouble keep coming from all around. "My position coach touched on it with all the distractions out there," junior split end Mike Hass said. "We have lots of time on our hands these days, and not to get in trouble. It's just football and we are free at night with no school to deal with. He told us to be careful at night with all that's gone on already. But we're pretty focused on the game, especially the night before." Riley didn't set a time for bed check Wednesday or tonight, but players must be in their rooms by midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 p.m. Sunday and Monday. "They are pretty good with curfew, up until game time," Wright said. "It's not a big deal. They trust guys to not be ridiculous." The veteran players say it's their job to make sure the younger ones don't get into altercations with locals, Notre Dame fans or the opponents who also will be staying in Scottsdale. They say it's easier to keep track of each other when they are on the road as they are typically together in bigger groups. During school, they are separated by housing situations. "It's a big deal if you let it be," junior linebacker Chaz Scott said. "Some of the young guys haven't experienced a bowl game, so you have to drill it into their minds. It's still a game that takes place. You have to be smart and not let distractions be the focus." Scott and reserve defensive back Eric Anderson will play tour guide on this trip. Scott is from nearby Chandler, while Anderson is a Phoenix native. They know it's a big responsibility to keep their friends safe, while showing them a good time at the local hot spots. "The guys are depending on me to guide them to the right place, so I guess I'll take that on my shoulders," Scott said. "I'll reveal all my secrets this time. I didn't last Insight Bowl." Cliff Kirkpatrick covers Oregon State football for the Corvallis Gazette-Times. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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