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3 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 Ashland to purchase Acid Rock Castles ... Stine seeks Bates' Senate seat ... Medford Purple Parrot robber may have struck again ... Ashland to purchase Acid Rock Castles ... Stine seeks Bates' Senate seat ... Medford Purple Parrot robber may have struck again ... COLLEGE FOOTBALL Work in progress Offseason in Beavers' system key for transfer QB Garretson Comment By Kevin Hampton Corvallis Gazette-Times MailTribune.com By Kevin Hampton Corvallis Gazette-Times Posted Aug. 5, 2016 at 2:00 AM By Kevin Hampton Corvallis Gazette-Times Posted Aug. 5, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News CORVALLIS — Darell Garretson hasn't taken a snap in an actual game for the Oregon State football team, but he's already entrenched as the starting quarterback for the Beavers. Garretson, who transferred from Utah State, was impressive enough during the spring to settle the battle for the position. Although he's been with the Beavers for a year, sitting out after the transfer, Garretson's time this offseason was key in his development. There was plenty of work put in just to prepare for fall camp. "We really got after it this summer," Garretson said. "And coach (Evan) Simon and the strength coaches, they made sure that we were busting our tails both in the weight room, on the field and also developing our skills and being better at certain things that guys can get after." He was able to spend plenty of time with his teammates, particularly the receivers he will be working with in the passing game. Garretson spent last fall running the scout team during practice, so getting to toss the ball around with established receivers such as Jordan Villamin, Victor Bolden and Hunter Jarmon, along with reserves and those newer to the program, was important to build chemistry. "We threw a lot and tried to get our timing right and just the little things," receiver Seth Collins said. "All of us got to know Darell real good. He's a good guy and a great leader. All of us respect him and we know that he's going to be able to make an incredible impact." Bolden said it was a big deal to get the receivers together with Garretson. "I think that's so important, just the chemistry that you build with your quarterback and with anybody on the team because you build that trust," he said. "It's important to go out there and gain that chemistry." It was also a good opportunity for Garretson to get to know his teammates off the field. That meant grabbing lunch together or hanging out during down time. That often included some video game battles. "Playing video games together, as much as people may bash on it, playing video games together, playing FIFA, Madden, all that type of stuff, it brings guys together," Garretson said. "It gets guys to hang out with each other more, you start having more conversations with each other and you just start building more of a trust factor with everyone else." His teammates have been impressed enough by his leadership qualities to vote him captain for the spring and again for the season. Sitting out a season wasn't easy for Garretson, who had to miss the bulk of the 2014 campaign with an injury after playing five games for Utah State. He completed 91 of 135 passes for 1,140 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore with the Aggies before being sidelined. Last fall did allow Garretson to acclimate to OSU and get up to speed. "It was hard, but I got to work on a lot of stuff. I got to work on certain things that you normally wouldn't be able to work on here in the season," Garretson said. "I got to really hone in on certain skills that I wanted to make better and add to my game and I was able to do that, so I think a year off was beneficial for sure." He said the Beavers' system has some similarities to Utah State's, but there are enough differences that he had plenty of work to do. Now Garretson said he's ready to run the offense. "I think I'm right there, I think I'm where (co-offensive coordinator Kevin) McGiven wants me to be. I've just got to keep going, keep honing in on the schemes and the defenses and what defenses are supposed to do and where people are at. "So as long as we keep after it I think I'll be caught up where McGiven wants to be every week." By Kevin Hampton Corvallis Gazette-Times MailTribune.com By Kevin Hampton Corvallis Gazette-Times Posted Aug. 5, 2016 at 2:00 AM » 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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