The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/29/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Cory Reed Quarterback Lyle Moevao tosses a ball with his non-throwing hand during a spring practice session on April 27. Moevao has been sidelined with an injury for spring practice, while a stable of quarterbacks work out for the Beavers.

It's been an exciting spring of football for the Oregon State Beavers, a spring that's included a high-flying passing attack on display despite having Lyle Moevao sidelined with an injury.

With the usual starter for the Beavers down it's given the other signal callers a chance to shine and senior Sean Canfield has been making the most of that opportunity.

"Sean Canfield has had an outstanding spring in all forms," Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said. "Confidence, command in the huddle, and execution. He's in tremendous physical shape, he's looking very, very good."

Part of the reason Canfield has enjoyed such a fabulous spring has been the help he's gotten on the receiving end from junior wide out Darrell Catchings. The two have teamed up to turn most team scrimmages into more of a track meet, connecting on several deep passes every practice.

"He's obviously a big play guy with his speed," Canfield said. "He's got a year of starting under his belt so I'm expecting big things from him."

The duo has already brought out their share of big things in the two scrimmages the team has had thus far. But the highlights hardly stop there as the whole group of quarterbacks have showed many signs of light, in particular redshirt freshman Ryan Katz.

"Ryan's been playing well," Canfield said. "He's a great talent."

That talent has been on full display this spring as Katz has been taking most of the snaps with the second team and getting plenty of reps to prove why he was the highly touted quarterback from the state of California two years ago.

"I think Ryan Katz has improved dramatically from fall camp," Riley said. "I think he's come a long way from where he was in the fall and he's still a freshman, which is pretty neat. He can really throw the ball, he's made some outstanding throws. He still has a lot to learn but has had a very good spring."

Continued...

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