Oregon State Beavers Football: Wednesday Notebook
With no opponent on deck this Saturday, the Beavers (1-5, 0-3) are looking to utilize their bye week to address concerns on defense while continuing to improve as a team overall. With no Thursday media availability, Jonathan Smith joined the defense today in breaking down what the Beavers want to accomplish during this bye week.
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OSU utilizing bye week in multiple ways
With Oregon State not having an opponent this week by way of their scheduled off week, the Beavers are taking full advantage of the extra time by taking a close look at every aspect of the team through self-evaluation.
Head coach Jonathan Smith, who’s experiencing his first bye week as a head coach, has been pleased with how the Beavers have performed in practice this week, but notes that they have to keep improving all the time to get over the hump.
“Each side of the ball and the special teams took a deep dive in self-evaluation this week,” Smith said. “A glaring thing to me is that we just have to keep working and improving in the next six weeks. If we can do that, we can play some quality football and get over the hump. That’s the big picture focus is that we’re halfway through and we’re not where we want to be, but we can continue to improve and we have six more opportunities to do it.”
The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Beavers in a multitude of ways, but perhaps one of the most important is the fact that a young, and banged up OSU team gets a chance to catch their breath.
“The break was important for us,” Smith said. “That’s why we were selective with just a couple practices this week and we wanted them to take a deep breath and make sure they’re focused in on where they are in class because midterms are coming. The bye came at a good time for us.”
Defensively, there are two main things that the Beavers are looking to shore up and address this week according to defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar.
“The two biggest things that jump out obviously is that number one, we have to improve our tackling and that’s going to be a continued emphasis this whole season," Tibesar said. "Secondly, we have to increase our takeaways. We’ve emphasized both of those things and we just have to stay the course and keep emphasizing it in practice and the film room. Those are the two things that are going to improve our defense the most, it’s really not a scheme thing. When we have an opportunity to create a turnover we have to do it, and when we have an opportunity to tackle, we have to tackle.”
Improved tackling still top priority
The bye week came at a perfect time for the struggling Oregon State defense as the Beavers and Tibesar have been utilizing the bye week to spend extra time addressing their tackling woes. While the Beavers showed spurts of tackling improvement in the first half against Washington State, Tibesar said he's still not pleased with with the high number of missed tackles.
“I thought our tackling was a little bit better, but there were still far too many missed tackles for my taste as a defensive coach,” Tibesar said. “It’s just something that’s going to be constant and it’s going to be for a long time. We’re just going to keep working at it because even when you’re a good tackling team, you have to work on tackling.”
Smith added that the Beavers’ live tackling sessions in practice has helped, but that the Beavers have to use it in moderation.
“It always makes a difference the more you can do it,” Smith said of the Beavers’ recent live tackling in practices. “You have to be smart with how much you’re doing it. We didn’t go live today, but we did some tackling drills instead of going 11-on-11. It’s going to be a continuous emphasis for only the rest of this season, but all the time. It’s so critical to be able to get guys on the ground, that you have to practice it.”
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Injury updates
Wednesday’s media availability offered some positive injury news as defensive lineman Jeromy Reichner, who’s been out since the start of fall camp with a broken foot, is back practicing in a limited capacity and is expected to play against Cal. Isaiah Dunn, who’s been in and out of the lineup and practice this season, practiced in a limited capacity.
“Both Reichner and Dunn did some stuff at practice today, but again it’s just so much about how they respond,” Smith said. “So we’ll put them through some stuff again on Sunday and see how it goes.”
Also in terms of good injury news, quarterback Jake Luton practiced in a limited capacity for the first time since his injury. While Smith was hesitant to say whether or not Luton would be ready for the Cal game, noting that the high-ankle sprain is difficult to overcome at the quarterback position.
“He practiced a little bit today, but he’s still not to the point where he can move around with the ability that he’ll need to,” Smith said. “He’s coming along, but high-ankle sprains are tough. At his position particularly, those movements he needs to make, they’re tough. Some of these things do take awhile.”
Quarterback Conor Blount, who suffered a shoulder injury against Washington State, is expected to be back on the field soon as his injury didn’t turn out to be too serious.
“He didn’t go today, but he probably could have,” Smith said. “We’re hopeful he’ll be able to go on Sunday.”
In terms of not so good injury news, Smith also offered an update on safety David Morris, noting that he’s not close to returning. Based on Smith’s shortness and tone when talking about Morris, I’d say it’s going to be a little while before we hear anything positive on his return to the field.
Tyjon Lindsey officially joins OSU
Following Wednesday's practice an OSU spokesman confirmed that former Nebraska four-star receiver Tyjon Lindsey has been cleared and is enrolled at OSU and on the team. This marks yet another four star transfer for first year head coach Jonathan Smith and Co. as the Beavers are making the right moves to get competitive quickly by infusing transfer talent.