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With Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith meeting the media on Monday to preview the matchup with Arizona, BeaversEdge recaps all the info in this edition of notes and quotes!
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NOTES
- Following the bye week, Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith said on Monday that the team's energy has been "great" and that the Beavers were able to take a "deep breath" during the off week.
- Smith said he's experienced the trip down to Arizona many times during his coaching career and said it's a really tough atmosphere at Arizona Stadium.
- Defensive back Ryan Cooper Jr. is "back and forth" per Smith regarding his injury status. Smith said they'll see how he looks during the week but that he's dealing with something that hasn't gotten totally right.
- Center Jake Levengood returned to practice after missing the UCLA game and Smith said they expect him back against the Wildcats.
- Safety Alton Julian could see some more looks at a hybrid inside 'backer/secondary playmaker per Smith. Said they've experimented with it a bit and it's allowed them to get another athlete on the field in Julian. He said there's a bit of a learning curve there, but said he's a really smart player.
- Smith was very complimentary of Arizona's strides defensively in year three of Jedd Fisch. He said they've gotten bigger, stronger, and faster and are really playing well in the scheme. He also added that they disguise coverages well in the secondary and that it would be a challenge for the Beaver offense.
- Offensively, Smith said coach Fisch knows his offense and that they've got several really good playmakers at wide receiver and similarly to the Beavers, rotate more than one running back.
- Smith said that in addition to going on the road to see high school recruits, notably Malachi Durant, he caught a good amount of the Pac-12 games this weekend.
- Smith said that it's very important that the Beavers get back to their rhythm and timing following the bye week. He said after taking a week off you've got to get back to full speed because this will be a challenging atmosphere.
- In terms of quarterback Aidan Chiles, Smith said that they expect his one-series role to continue each game for the rest of the season. He said he's been playing well and that he's liked how he and DJ Uiagalelei have prepared each week.
QUOTES
Jonathan Smith on improving the run defense
"We've got to improve there. It was a great opportunity to watch all seven games and there are a few things. We have to be in the right gap, sometimes we're jumping out of a gap trying to make a play. We've got to tackle better. And again, we're playing against some good backs and quarterbacks that can extend the run, but we have to tackle better and be in our gaps. We've got to go lower on the ball carrier, so we tried to emphasize that with our posture."
On Arizona QBs Jayden de Laura and Noah Fifita
"I think they've got similar skillsets, both guys are accurate and know that scheme inside and out. Both are really competitive and you can see in and out of the pocket. They have a really good offense in general and there's no question they've got a couple of quarterbacks they can win games with and Noah the last few they've shown that."
On Arizona's performance against Washington State
"They played really well up there, both sides of the ball offensively and defensively. They were able to score and then shut down what I think is a very potent offense. Each week is new, and you don't know exactly how these games will play out. You have to play well to earn a win."
Smith on Tanner Miller shifting to center in place of Levengood vs UCLA
"Tanner has been awesome and he played really well. The ability for him to play at a high level at two positions, especially center, is different when you're snapping and making the calls. He's been a huge piece of that front this year."
Smith on managing expectations with a lot still ahead
"We want some excitement about what we're doing, but ultimately, each week, you never know how these games are going to turn out. The only thing we can control is how we prepare. We want to play in meaningful games at the end of the year, and the only way to do that is to take care of business right now."
Smith on the Beavers reaching bowl eligibility
"Going to the postseason, we want to do that, so that's an achievement. But I think where we've gotten, the locker room we've got, each week we want to raise our level of play. There's more out there for us, so it wasn't the primary goal to get to six."
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