The Barometer Online

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeff Wick Jeff Wick | THE DAILY BAROMETER Senior quarterback Sean Canfield is currently leading the Pac-10 conference for passing with 2039 yards so far this season. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and is averaging 254.9 yards per game.

By Nic Adenau

The Daily Barometer

In his last season as a Beaver, senior quarterback Sean Canfield has become a leader for the Oregon State football team.

After looking into many of the Pac-10 schools, Canfield was quickly pulled into the football program after creating relationships with the coaches. Canfield graduated early from Carlsbad High School and committed to Oregon State in the spring of 2004 and redshirted the 2005 season.

"I liked the meetings I had with Coach Riley," Canfield said. "All the academic support I got when I came was a big deal to me."

In 2007, Canfield's sophomore year, he had to fight for the starting position at quarterback with fellow teammate and senior Lyle Moevao.

"Lyle and I were toe to toe during that fall camp of 2007," Canfield said. "I think it made us better. The competition brought out the best of the both of us. "

That year, Canfield won the position as starting quarterback. However, toward the end of that season, Canfield suffered a shoulder injury during the USC game at the Coliseum. In spite of being injured, he never stopped working hard.

"Starting from the off-season to now, I think he has done a great job of taking that role as the field general," Moevao said. "He has come back and fought through all of the pain; never once did he complain or yell at anybody. He just played the game."

After sitting out the rest of the season and the following spring, Canfield was moved to backup quarterback behind Moevao. Canfield stayed patient and made sure to keep up his hard work.

"I just wanted to keep a good attitude about coming back," Canfield said. "The main thing for me then was being patient. Watching Lyle was a good learning experience for me."

However, roles reversed last year. During Canfield's junior year Moevao won the starting position as quarterback, but he was injured at the end of the season. Moevao went on to have shoulder surgery, and Canfield once again took over the position as starting quarterback.

Canfield worked hard to get in shape after the end of last season and throughout the summer. He lost 20 pounds and got himself into shape for this current season.

"I just went running in the winter and the spring about three times a week," Canfield said. "I was probably in the best shape of my life going into this season, and I still am, granted, during the season you aren't lifting as much."

Canfield has started every game this season. He has played at the best of his potential this year and has become a clear leader of the Beavers' offense. So far this season, he has thrown for 2,039 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he averages 254 yards per game. It seems he has found a groove to get focused for each game.

"Before a game I just try to be loose, listen to the iPod," Canfield said. "Before I have to head out on the field, I go into the equipment room and I'll watch a game, get suited up and ready to go."

"Aside from playing and doing things out on the field, I want to be remembered for just the kind of person I am," Canfield said. "For people to know what kind of example I set."

After three seasons of playing quarterback for the Beavers, Canfield felt that his most defining moment was last season against Arizona State.

"It was unexpected; I didn't think Lyle was going to go down," Canfield said. "I don't think I had really proven myself to the team until that game."

After ups and down over the past four seasons, Canfield has stayed patient and positive. He hopes that the Beaver quarterbacks to come will follow his lead.

"'Keep your head up and believe in yourself,' is the main thing that I have learned," Canfield said.

Overall, Canfield has proven himself as a worthy leader of the Beavers football team. He played, he was injured, he came back and is now conquering.


Nic Adenau, sports writer

Sports@dailybarometer.com

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