Oregon State Beavers Football: Smith says Luton is doubtful
Thursday marked the final day of preparation for the Oregon State football team as the Beavers are now set to head to Arizona for a matchup with Arizona State under the lights on Saturday night. Oregon State will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing performance against Arizona which saw the OSU offense and defense struggle to gain any rhythm.
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5 questions with Arizona State expert
Let’s dive into some notes that we learned from Thursday’s availability
- The biggest news of the day came post-practice as per an OSU source, true-freshman quarterback Jake Dukart has left the football team. The 6-foot-2 180 pound three star athlete from nearby Lake Oswego, Oregon was the Beavers’ lone quarterback recruit this past recruiting cycle and figured to at least contend for playing time as he continued to develop and add muscle and weight. While Dukart is leaving the football team, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s leaving Oregon State. The source noted that it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Dukart finds himself on the Beaver baseball team as he was heavily recruited by former head coach Pat Casey and his staff.
- More quarterback news… Jake Luton is listed as doubtful this weekend as he continues to recover from a high-ankle sprain suffered against Nevada. Smith, who felt optimistic about Luton’s chances to play on Monday, said Luton didn’t practice very much this week and it doesn’t look like he’ll be available.
- Tight end Teagan Quitoriano, who’s missed the last two games with a hip flexor, is questionable for Saturday as Smith noted he was able to do some light work this week.
- As reported earlier in the week, all signs are a go for cornerback Shawn Wilson to play against ASU after suffering a minor injury against Arizona.
- Cornerback Jaydon Grant is another guy the Beavers might get back in the secondary this weekend as Smith indicated that he has a chance to be back this weekend.
- In terms of more long term injury news, running back Artavis Pierce was wearing a brace on his left elbow and was doing conditioning work off to the side at practice.
- Safety Omar Hicks-Onu, who has missed all of fall camp recovering from an offseason injury, was also doing individual workouts on the side, although his was a little more intense than anyone else’s.
- Cornerback Isaiah Dunn, who wasn’t able to play against Arizona with a minor injury, isn’t expected to play this weekend.
Quotable
Jonathan Smith on what he’s seen from his team this week
“We’ve worked really hard and I feel that we’ve regrouped well,” Smith said. “We just have to continue to tighten up the details as we go. It’s worked out with the weather as we’re going down to a place that’s going to be hot and hopefully the hot weather here this week has helped us.”
Smith on defending ASU receiver N’Keal Harry
“He’s a threat out there,” Smith said. “He’s a very good and physical player who’s got great size, and so we’re going to try and change up the looks and be aware of where he’s at.”
Smith on what he wants to see his team do post-Arizona
“We have to be more physical,” Smith said. “There’s always good players on these teams in this league and Arizona State has a bunch of good players too. When the level of play goes up in Pac-12 play, our play has to follow it. One game doesn’t totally define who you are and even when you do really well, it’s a growing and learning process week in and week out. It’s all about bringing your A game for 60 minutes.”
