Spring Break
Bernard delivers once more for Beavers
Senior returns from knee injury to rush for 177 yards in bowl MVP performance
Kye Johnson
Issue date: 1/8/08 Section: Forum
When Yvenson Bernard took over as the starting running back for Oregon State three years ago, few people surrounding the program knew a lot about him. Now, after he has finished up his career by setting multiple bowl game records and earning honors as the 2007 Emerald Bowl Offensive MVP, you'd be hard pressed to find a college football fan who doesn't know the guy.
It would be difficult to plan a better ending to an illustrious career than the ending Bernard had with the Beavers. He set the Emerald Bowl record for most carries (38) and most rushing yards (177), helping lead the Beavers to a 21-14 win over Maryland.
But those weren't the only records going down thanks to Bernard. In the bowl game alone, his performance moved him up the Pac-10 all-time rushing list from the No. 11 spot to No. 6. Bernard's 177-yard game moved him past the likes of USC's Ricky Bell and former OSU standout Steven Jackson to conclude his career as one of the top rushers in conference history.
"I just went out there and played football," Bernard said. "I wasn't worried about the records and all of that. I just wanted to lead the seniors and this program to a win, and I think we all did a great job."
Bernard also became the Beavers' second all-time leading rusher, trailing only Ken Simonton on the list of Oregon State's best running backs.
His 1,214 rushing yards this season also tied him for the lead with most 1,000-yard rushing seasons in conference history. Simonton is another Beaver in that category.
But even though Bernard did his part to rewrite record books during his final game as an Oregon State Beaver, he gives all the credit in the world to his offensive line.
"I never doubt the offensive line, the way our coaches push those guys," he said. "I know they are going to give 100 percent regardless of the situation, and they did a great job. I've always praised my offensive line, and once again they came up big."
Bernard's productivity in the Emerald Bowl may have even surprised a few people. Midway through the game at Washington State on Nov. 11, Bernard went down with a knee injury that required minor surgery. He was forced to sit out from his last Civil War game against Oregon and was even listed as questionable to play in the bowl game prior to the match-up with the Terrapins.
It would be difficult to plan a better ending to an illustrious career than the ending Bernard had with the Beavers. He set the Emerald Bowl record for most carries (38) and most rushing yards (177), helping lead the Beavers to a 21-14 win over Maryland.
But those weren't the only records going down thanks to Bernard. In the bowl game alone, his performance moved him up the Pac-10 all-time rushing list from the No. 11 spot to No. 6. Bernard's 177-yard game moved him past the likes of USC's Ricky Bell and former OSU standout Steven Jackson to conclude his career as one of the top rushers in conference history.
"I just went out there and played football," Bernard said. "I wasn't worried about the records and all of that. I just wanted to lead the seniors and this program to a win, and I think we all did a great job."
Bernard also became the Beavers' second all-time leading rusher, trailing only Ken Simonton on the list of Oregon State's best running backs.
His 1,214 rushing yards this season also tied him for the lead with most 1,000-yard rushing seasons in conference history. Simonton is another Beaver in that category.
But even though Bernard did his part to rewrite record books during his final game as an Oregon State Beaver, he gives all the credit in the world to his offensive line.
"I never doubt the offensive line, the way our coaches push those guys," he said. "I know they are going to give 100 percent regardless of the situation, and they did a great job. I've always praised my offensive line, and once again they came up big."
Bernard's productivity in the Emerald Bowl may have even surprised a few people. Midway through the game at Washington State on Nov. 11, Bernard went down with a knee injury that required minor surgery. He was forced to sit out from his last Civil War game against Oregon and was even listed as questionable to play in the bowl game prior to the match-up with the Terrapins.
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