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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 25, 2005 Bernard has provided a lift for Beaver ground game By CLIFF KIRKPATRICK for the Mail Tribune CORVALLIS — While the team average hasn’t improved yet this season, Yvenson Bernard has been able to create optimism in the Oregon State football team’s running game. The Beavers averaged 67.3 yards through the first three games and ranked 107th out of 117 NCAA Division I teams. That’s 10.4 yards less than last year’s average, which was last in the nation. Bernard has produced 71.8 yards a game for a 4.8-yard average per carry. Take into account his receiving yards and the sophomore gains 129 yards a game. "I think he has been great," coach Mike Riley said before Saturday’s game. "Yvenson has been very good. We were making a difference on the ground. He’s very tough. He can catch the ball and has a great feel for screens. He’s added to our team." Bernard moved from seldom used third-string back last year to multi-use player this season. When the openings are there, he takes advantage. However, creating opportunities is difficult. Advertisement The 5-foot-9, 203-pounder lacks the size to run over or carry tacklers. There are times he’s grabbed by the shoulder pads and brought down from behind. But the Beavers believe the positives outweigh the negatives. Bernard showed why as he produced 79 yards of total offense by halftime in Saturday night’s game against Arizona State. "Everyone is going to dismiss him because he’s not very big or very fast, but he brings a spark to our offense," quarterback Matt Moore said. "If we get him 5-6 yards a touch, that would be good." Bernard, however, believes he can carry the load. When he gains enough experience reading the defenses at full speed, he’ll be able to create more yards than he has been. "It’s going all right," Bernard said. "I’m still learning. I’m making young mistakes. But I have high expectations. The things I’ve done are not up to my expectations." THE BEAVERS received two verbal commitments from defensive linemen this week, bringing them to eight known newcomers for the 2006 season. They are DT Joel White-Frisbee of Kenmore, Wash., and DE Dorian Smith from Palm Desert, Calif. White-Frisbee is a 6-foot-6, 303-pounder out of Ingelmoor High. Most of the Northwest schools were interested in him. His older brother, Jordan, plays for Washington. Smith is a 6-3, 250-pounder from College of the Desert, who originally went to Alabama A&M. He led his junior college team with 12 sacks in 2004 and has 10 sacks in the first three games this season. The other commitments are TE Howard Croom (Long Beach, Calif.), DT Mitchel Hunt (Tempe, Ariz.), WR Casey Kjos (Middletown, Ohio), OL Alex Linnenkohl (Olympia, Wash.), OL Ryan Pohl (Honolulu) and DB Alfred Rowe (Long Beach, Calif.). JOSH LINEHAN’S FATHER , Ron, passed away Friday. He was 55. Ron was supposed to be at Westview High that night to be honored for his more than 20 years of coaching service at Westview and Sunset, but didn’t make the pregame ceremony. His health failed due to Alzheimer’s disease. Linehan, OSU’s starting right tackle, was allowed to attend the ceremony. He was there with his mother, Liz, and brothers Cole and Gabe. Cole plays for Oregon. Linehan was back with the Beavers for Saturday’s game. TRUE FRESHMAN Aaron Carlson played in his first game Saturday as the long snapper on punts. He’s a 6-1, 235-pounder from Olympia, Wash. Senior Darrick Bruns snapped on extra points and field goals. They replaced Joel Cohen, who’s out for the year with a knee injury from last week’s game at Louisville. Bruns was the full-time starter last season, but Carlson graded out better as a blocker on punts. The Cardinals blocked a punt last week on Bruns, after he replaced Cohen. ALEXIS SERNA entered the game with the third best career field goal percentage among active place-kickers at .857. After the game, the Lou Groza Award candidate is 8-for-10 this season and 21-for-26 in his career. Since missing three extra points to begin his career last year at Louisiana State, the sophomore has made 40 consecutive. Cliff Kirkpatrick covers Oregon State football for the Corvallis Gazette-Times. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Cheap Website Hosting Discount Hotel Reservations Online Pharmacy Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans High End Computers Online Casino News Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Salvia Divinorum Online Casino Fundraisers Advertisement s