9/27/2016 football Edit

Andersen talks Colorado, QB's, and much more

Mike Singer

Recruiting Editor

Oregon State head coach Gary Andersen met with the media on Monday for a half hour press conference that covered several different topics.

Obviously, Andersen was asked about his thoughts on the Beavers upcoming opponent, the Colorado Buffaloes, who is fresh off a road win at Oregon.

"Colorado is obviously playing very good football," Andersen said. "I've watched a lot of film on them. To see coach Mac [Mike MacIntyre] where he is right now is good.

"They've built themselves a very good football team. They're playing well. They play very good on offense. After practice, I was watching their game, the TV version of it. They execute at a high level.

"Defensively, they're very aggressive and very well coached. They have good players. They're the oldest team in the Pac-12, and those kids have hung together. They've got an edge about them. They're playing good football. They've found ways to win football games. Last week, was another example of finding a way to win a tough, tough football game."

Colorado has not had a winning season since entering the Pac-12 in 2010, and their last winning season came in 2005. They have been improving and are at 3-1 this season, and their win over Oregon is MacIntyre's biggest win as the Buffs' head coach.

They have been through the rebuilding process, and Andersen sees the Buffs as an example of what his team can accomplish.

"They've stuck to their plan," Andersen said of Colorado. "They've made adjustments where they think they need to make adjustments. It has been a process, and I'm sure a very difficult process. We sit right in the middle of that process, and it gets very 'same old same old' if you will. It gets tiring saying a lot of the same things. Now, [Macintyre] doesn't have to say those same things anymore."

Colorado starting quarterback Sefo Liufau went down with an injury, and he was replaced by redshirt freshman Steven Montez for their game against the Ducks. Montez led the Buffs to victory, and was named the Pac-12 Player of the Week with his 333 yard three touchdown performance. Montez figures to get the start against the Beavers while Liufau recovers.

"They've both played extremely well - big tough, physical kids, who throw the ball well and are understanding of the offense," Andersen said. "[Colorado has] done a nice job adjusting the scheme of the offense with the talent they have on the field. Both quarterbacks have played very well.

"On the flip side, you look and see where they are on the defensive side, they've done some very good things."

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Oregon State senior wide receiver Victor Bolden has been a focal point of the Beavers' team in the receiving game and on special teams. Andersen thinks that teams might stop kicking the ball to him now.

"He leads the nation, I believe, in kickoff return [yards], so you can't get any better than first," Andersen said. "He's a huge difference maker. He was a big difference maker in that game; his kickoff return after the first Boise score gave the offense field position. That got us going, and then he hit the big one at the end.

"On offense, he's done some good things for us. He's absolutely made some big plays for us. Victor is having a nice year to this point."

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Oregon State had five turnovers against Idaho State and turned those points into scores - even having a defensive touchdown via a pic six from Treston Decoud. Against the Broncos, the Beavers had two turnovers and did nothing with them on offense.

Andersen continues to stress getting points when the offense has the ball into the opponent's territory.

"Two things we talked to the kids about were the points we didn't get off turnovers, which was zero off two turnovers, and they were both in position where the field position would allow you to think you should get points," said Andersen. "If you just play the percentages in that scenario, then you should get points."

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True freshman walk-on quarterback Conor Blount was a storyline following the Beavers' loss on Saturday. Andersen has high praises of Blount.

"Conor is extremely competitive, and he's very smart," Andersen said. "Football matters a lot to him; he loves the game. You could see how he's prepared with limited reps to get himself in a spot to be able to play."

It was Andersen's decision to put Blount in the game, and he added that it took people by surprise on the sideline. He felt that Blount was the better replacement for the injured Garretson (injury is still unknown) over Marcus McMaryion.

"I'm sure Marcus is disappointed. I'd expect him to be disappointed," Andersen said. "There's things that change week in and week out on the depth chart and there's just times and situations where right, wrong, or indifferent, I'm going to make decisions that are best for the football team."

Andersen didn't give any explicit comment on who the starting quarterback will be this week. He said after the Boise State game that Darell Garretson will be the starting quarterback if he's healthy.

Is he healthy enough to play against Colorado? It seemed that Andersen thinks he will be.

"Darell will get himself back. When Darell is 100%, I think he's showed that he's a talented young man," said Andersen.

Notables

- In year two, Andersen is more familiar with Pac-12 opponents. He sees it as a positive and added that he has a deeper respect for the teams in the conference after going through a season in the Pac-12.

- Andersen liked how redshirt freshman cornerback Jay Irvine stepped in and did some "good things." He thought Irvine covered well.

- Andersen said that true freshman running back Artavis Pierce left fall camp feeling confident about his knowledge of the offense. He noted that Pierce has really improved his blocking ability and has furthermore solidified himself as the second running back.

"He was a physical runner when given the opportunity," said Andersen. "I think running backs, and skill kids in general, have the best opportunity to come in and play early."

- Andersen calls Colorado a pace team that will run and throw the ball well. They want to cause confusion in play calls and formations. Boise State used pace against OSU, but that's not what their forte said. It is what Colorado excels at, and it will give a challenge for the Beavers' defense.

- Andersen gave a quick update on the status of true freshman Christian Wallace and Isaac Garcia. Wallace seems good to go, and we expect Wallace to redshirt. On the other hand, Garcia is not academically cleared and is not taking classes.

"Right now, Christian is in school and doing a good job. Isaac is not currently. We'll see as we go through that process," he said.

- Andersen felt "very, very good" about the Beavers' special team efforts. He called Adly Rutschman's onside kick ability a "vicious weapon." Andersen said that they definitely won the special teams battle last week.

- For Andersen personally, the altitude at Colorado does not affect him, and he hopes that it doesn't affect his players.