While OSU stunned Missouri with their big Sun Bowl comeback last year, rallying for a 39-38 victory that included one of the gutsiest two-point conversion decisions of the bowl season, the entire game still boiled down to the big uglies up front. And that's where Oregon State is going to have a big advantage on almost every defensive front they face in 2007, as the Beaver O-line looks as strong as it's ever been.
The Oregonian has a Q & A with OSU standout Roy Schuening, the offensive guard who had a big role in the deciding play in that game, as shown by the clip below. Pay particular attention to the pulling right guard, Schuening (#67), but even more, look at the mass of humanity getting pushed back, literally driven off the football. That's old-school, physical, sledge hammer football. And even if Roy Schuening doesn't know who the heck the Ice Bowl hero Jerry Kramer is, that's still a play that would have Vince Lombardi grinning from ear to ear.
Schuening hasn't done much this spring due to a hamstring pull....right? The article states that Schuening has made it clear in previous interviews that he does not like spring football because it's too far removed from the real thing in the fall. So, is he faking this hamstring thing so he doesn't have to practice?
"Oh no, I've really got a hamstring pull,'' said Schuening, letting out a big laugh.
Not that he's exactly dying for the extra work. But Schuening and the Beaver offensive line have big goals in mind for 2007:
"Same as last year. I want us to be the best in the Pac-10. I want us to cut down the sacks. It would be nice to go the whole year without giving up a sack. And as a unit, play as one, and lead this team to the Pac-10 title.''
Finally, Schuening gives his opinion of the ongoing QB derby between Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao. Of particular interest is the unproven leadership quote about Canfield, who still looks like the likely starter. The Beavers will be extremely experienced coming into the year, so it's probably not that big of a deal, but still, sometimes the QB is the guy the entire team rallies around or looks to when times get tough:
"Sean's done a good job, but as far as being a leader, he's still unproven. We'll kind of see more once he steps in and plays that first game if he's starting. I think he's one of those lead-by-example guys and not so rah-rah like Matt (Moore) or Derek (Anderson). ... he's doing a good job right now and trying to get better.''
