OSUBeavers.com: Riley Meets the Press

Q: Talk about Cal in General

A: I think their last game kind of summarizes all of it. They had big plays on defense for scores and big special teams plays for touchdowns. They have an explosive offense with a lot of talent and I think that overall they’ve got very good team speed and athletic ability.

What does last week’s win do for OSU spirits?

I think that a lot of us feel better about winning the day after the game and all that. I think our team still needs to remember the sense of urgency we had after the Boise State game. We really had a great week of practice because the opponent’s ability level was only going to rise from there. As it did after our first games. I just think we need to get better and practice with the same type of urgency we had the last couple of weeks.

Thoughts on Pac-10 so far... USC and Arizona?

I think that there are going to be some surprising scores and games every week that everybody doesn’t suspect necessarily. We’re getting into it now, everybody is and everyone is competing for a spot in the conference standings.

Cal passing game vs. OSU’s first three opponents

They have got really some talented receivers. And Longshore appears to be growing in the offense. He’s an excellent passer. I saw him in high school on the practice field, and he is very good, he’s just got a great arm. Like I said he’s been productive. That is a big dimension for them.

Does Cal compare up to what you have seen in the first three games?

No, Cal is much better. Hawkins and Jackson, they’ve had those guys for awhile. They are more productive and making more plays than they have in the past. And the years experience is huge for them. And probably the general growth of the offense, they have such a dynamic run game. It’s like we always talk about that balance with run and passes. It makes it the hardest to defend. 

Does this game answer a lot of questions about what type of team OSU is?

Well, no. I think you have to go into the season to figure that out. We’re going to go for a long time. There’s a tremendous stretch in front of us. Once again this is the biggest game of the week as far as I’m concerned. We’ll have a great challenge ahead of us. That’s what it is.

How is Cal’s offense different to defend under Dunbar?

They have added a dimension that is different in the four-wide package and running a little bit of like what Oregon does with the spread. They are still doing what they have done well for a long time with the two backs and the things they do there. So you are preparing for multiple looks.

Josh Linehan’s knee?

The doctors, the trainer and Josh are making a plan, but I am thinking he is doubtful for this week. But besides that I don’t know any more.

What has surprised you about OSU’s pass defense?

I think the one thing is that the big test is yet to come. They will be tested a little more this week for sure. Our statistics are great, but they are somewhat misleading. The reason for that is Boise State didn’t need to pass, and the other two teams we dominated pretty well and got good pressure. If we continue to do that our pass defense will be good. I thought all along our guys are good players and now have a year more experience so they should be better. They are also high character guys. They have worked hard, are conscientious, they took some lumps last year on big plays. We all hope that continues, just playing good sound football and being very, very competitive. It’s the nature of that position. It’s a tough one. You have to be tough minded and you’ve got to be talented. They have got to put that together. They will be tested this weekend.

On stopping Cal’s running game

You have to get people on Marshawn Lynch because he can break a tackle and he’s one of those guys who can beat you with speed on the outside and run hard inside. So you need to get somebody to him and get help because you can never assume he’s done. That’s the kind of back he is. The other guy, I like him too. They’ll bring in that Forsett. They’ve got two backs we’ll have to contend with for sure. Then you also have to balanced defense because they can obviously, with the good receivers, throw the ball.

On Cal’s defense and it’s (sic) speed.

They have excellent team speed. They fly around and play aggressively. They have guys who have played for awhile in a lot of areas so they are confident. There speed is good and they do fly around, that’s what it looks like on film. Looking back even at the Tennessee game, that’s misleading. There were three big plays against them, besides that they played pretty well. They ran two hitch routes on blitzes and the guy broke a tackle and went a long way for a touchdown. And they had a busted coverage on a seam route go for a touchdown. Those three plays were gimmes. They play good solid defense and have good personnel. They have experience, so it’s a factor.

On Kyle Loomis and comparing punting games.

One of the beautiful things about our last game was Idaho’s average drive start was the 21 yard line. And Kyle had three punts inside the 20, and I think one was inside the 10. He had two punts that were 40 yards out of bounds. Forty and 41 were caught as the guy ran out of bounds. If you did that every time, you would lead the nation in net punting. Those were two beautiful punts. He had a great week of practice. And I expect him to continue to improve. If you can punt like that and play good field position that will be another major factor in the game.

On Yvenson Bernard’s role vs. Cal.

I think we’re going to have to be balanced. We’re going to have to run the ball. That always helps big time, when you talk about moving against a very good athletic defense. You can stabilize some things when you run the ball. Then we have to take care of the ball when we throw. Cal has some excellent defensive backs including Hughes, he’s one of the best ones that I’ve seen in this league in awhile. He’s dangerous, so you’ve got to be smart. So combine the ability to run the ball and then take care of the ball when you throw it, those will be factors.

Evaluate Matt Moore so far. Any surprises?

I think he’s taking care of the ball in most instances. I think he can continue to improve on decision making and reads and those kinds of things. Good overall, running the team and doing a good job.

If Linehan can’t play, what does shift to Andy Levitre at right tackle mean?

Well the positive thing is that Andy is a good player. He’s done an excellent job in many different times of spot duty. So we are very confident in him. I think he’ll go in and play well. We have six guys we’ve considered starters. I hate it to go to five and Josh Linehan is a fabulous guy, has been a great leader and one of the real tough guys on our team. I’m hoping that he gets back soon, and at the same time I’m confident in Andy being ready to go.