The Barometer Online

Spring football wraps up first week of practice

Competitions for starting positions were exposed throughout first four practices, while others look to raise their stocks

Frank Hoaglin

Issue date: 4/10/07 Section: Sports

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Quarterback Sean Canfield looks for an open receiver in the team's first spring practice. Replacing Matt Moore will be the team's biggest concern heading into fall.

Beaver fans and numerous high school and small college coaches were treated with a glimpse of the future of Oregon State football Saturday at Truax Field. The OSU football team participated in their first Saturday practice of the spring football season.

Sophomores Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao impressed fans and coaches alike, with Canfield's cannon-like arm, and Moevao with his velocity and mobility. Although as of now it looks as though both are dead even in the quarterback debacle, Canfield looks to have an edge, being in the program longer, and carrying a typical physique for a quarterback, drawing comparisons to former USC Trojan Matt Leinart.

"I think Sean is much more comfortable with the offense, and he should be," said coach Mike Riley. "This is his third spring practice, and this is Lyle's first. But I thought Lyle made some really nice touch throws today."

Riley has seen the improvement in Moevao's game so far.

"There are so many balls a quarterback has to throw that aren't just 90 mph fastballs that you have to put some feel on it. I think he's starting to get a feel for those throws in our offense," Riley said.

But eyes weren't just on the quarterbacks Saturday. Wide receiver and return man Sammie Stroughter opened some eyes and reminded those who forgot about his speed on an end around play. He took the handoff and sprinted around the corner and out-ran safety Al Afalava who had a clear shot at him. Afalava was treated to jeers and trash talking from his teammates at the conclusion of the play.

"That was a good looking play," Riley said. "We ran a little bit of that last year. That looked good."

Another receiver that opened some eyes was South Eugene high school graduate Damola Adeniji, who on one play sprinted down the left side of the field and caught a pass from Ryan Gunderson for an untouched touchdown. With the addition of Adeniji, if paired with Stroughter at any point, teams will have a tough time keeping up with the Beavers.

Continued...

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