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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 28, 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 27, 2004 OSU redshirts benefit from bowl game By CLIFF KIRKPATRICK for the Mail Tribune SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Several perks come with reaching the postseason. One of the more important advantages for college football teams is added training for the younger players. It’s a jump on spring practice. However, the greatest benefit is more intangible. For many of those sitting out a season redshirting, it’s a chance to travel with the program for the first time. The Oregon State football team brought nearly everyone eligible on the roster to the Valley of the Sun as it prepares for Tuesday night’s Insight Bowl against Notre Dame. "I think it’s great experience," coach Mike Riley said. "It doesn’t get any better than eating well and staying in a nice place, having good weather and playing football." Being able to board a charter airplane, be greeted by bowl game dignitaries and be part of the festivities around the game is the highlight of their season. Before this their days were filled with practice after practice. While it’s enjoyable, they benefit by becoming accustomed to how it will go next season when they are playing, and go on five or six road trips. They learn how to behave when representing the program. There’s plenty of work to be done, too. They’re preparing themselves for the future and working on the scout team for the active players. Advertisement "It’s their first trip, so it won’t be new next year," Riley said. "It’s all good experience, the practice and going to a bowl game." There are 21 players who have redshirted. Some of them such as offensive linemen Jeremy Perry and Tavita Thompson made most of the trips and were ready to play if someone was hurt. So they are accustomed to being on the road. A few such as cornerback Keenan Lewis were on a couple a trips early, but ended up being redshirt. "This is just added bonus. "It’s been exciting, being able to have fun with my team," Lewis said. "We get to practice in a different kind of weather. That’s good. I’m getting more time to get use to formations and plays. It will help me get ready for next year." However, there are many more who are on their first trip such as linebacker Isaiah Cook, receiver Brandon Hughes and quarterback Brian Hildebrand. All of them are expected to be given a chance at compete next season. So, being here and being able to witness a bowl game in person gives them a little familiarity of being in a big game. It won’t be a shock when they are called on to make a play under pressure in the Rose Bowl or Autzen Stadium. "It’s been pretty fun and this is a good experience," Hughes said. "I don’t play, but it pays off in the end to be able to come to a bowl." Cook is the one who’s gaining the most from the postseason. He missed fall camp and much of the early portion of the season, after being admitted to school late. He spent this season catching up, and only now is settling in with the team. The first time Cook attended a college football game was standing on the sidelines of Reser Stadium this fall. Being at a bowl game is even more special. "It’s really good to show me the ropes," Cook said. "I’m definitely catching up. I wasn’t sure on the defense when I came in, but now I’m starting to fit in. The coaches have been working with me. When I first got here I felt really behind. But in the weight room I put on a few pounds and I feel I up with the team." Cook’s being considered by many in the program the next in a long line of standout linebackers for the Beavers. The lean 6-foot-3, 195-pounder possesses exceptional speed and strength. He’s was ranked the 15th best linebacker in the nation out of Claremont High in Southern California by Rivals.com. And after this week, he’s inspired more than ever to make an impact next fall. "It’s been great to see the things you get rewarded with when you work hard," Cook said. "It makes me want to work harder, and help my team get here next year, or maybe even better. So, I’m just here taking it all in. I’ve never experience anything like this. Even the flight was different. I’m not use to all that. I’ve only flown with my ma." During most of the postseason practices, Riley dismissed the active players early and held the younger guys back to get in extra work with them. It’s a refresher course running the OSU playbook. During the regular season they work on the scout teams for the starters, emulating the opposition. Scout team players read cards with formations and information in what to do on a certain play in the huddle, and try to stop the starters. Much of the time, they use techniques foreign to the Beavers. "This helps us keep up with the offense because you get so use to looking at cards," Hughes said. "You get a lot of work in these practices. They show you they are going to work with you." Even strength and conditioning coach Trent Greener goes out of his way to make them get the most of their time on the road. He buses them to the practice site early to have them lift weights. It’s a more intense routine than the starters go through. He wants them building muscle mass for the future, while the rest of them are just maintaining their strength. "It’s good for the developmental guys," Greener said. "They get lost in the shuffle sometimes, so this gives them something to hang their hat on." 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. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers