My QB Has Moxie

Another recap/look ahead on the OSU football team.

Oregon State took what was supposed to be a weakness and turned it into a strength in 2008.  Not only did Oregon State lose Roy Schuening and Kyle DeVan to graduation, OSU was also going to be without Tavita Thompson for the first half of the year due to a suspension for using banned substances.  Left guard Jeremy Perry had never recovered from the knee injuries that have haunted his OSU career.  That left OSU with only one returning starter in All-America candidate Andy Levitre (two if you count the fact that Adam Speer filled in for Perry for much of 2007).  On top of that, Marcus Henderson, who had been tabbed to be the starting center, went down with mono in fall camp and never returned to form to play for the Beavs.  Also, Wilder McAndrews, expected to challenge for time at right tackle, sustained a hand injury and missed most of the year.

So there you have it.  They were doomed, right?  Not quite.  Andy Levitre proved to live up to his All-America hype and Adam Speer played solidly at left guard.  That could have been expected.  The two biggest surprises of the year out of the offensive line was the surprisingly effective play from Alex Linnenkohl at center (filling in for Henderson) and redshirt freshman Mike Remmers at right tackle.  Gregg Peat took over for Schuening at right guard and played admirably.  The line was the force in front of Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year Jacquizz Rodgers and also allowed the fewest sacks in the Pac-10.  Not to shabby at all.

Again, there are questions going into the 2009 season.  Oregon State is losing Levitre and Speer, the leader of the line (usually calling out assignments instead of the inexperienced Linnenkohl).  That’s their starting left side, Moevao’s blind side.

However, things look much more positive this year than they did going into 2009.  Mike Remmers, after his impressive rookie showing, will move over to left tackle.  Junior Ryan Pohl, who saw plenty of playing time in 2009 and battled Peat for the right guard spot in fall camp, is projected to start at left guard.  Linnenkohl will return at center as will Peat at right guard.  Right tackle appears to be set with junior Timi Oshinowo.  If you are keeping track at home, across the line it looks like:  Sophomore, Junior, Junior, Senior, Junior.  A great group filled with playing experience and youth.  The next two years should be pretty good for OSU football on the offensive line.

Next Up:  Defensive Line