Alums on Beaver football: ‘It is so much fun to watch’
Former Oregon State and NFL linebacker Keith Ellison, now coach of his high school alma mater, the Redondo Union Sea Hawks in Los Angeles (courtesy Keith Ellison)
Beaver Nation is aglow about its football team. So are its football alums.
Oregon State (4-2 overall, 2-0 in Pac-12 action) is a heavy favorite to claim its fifth straight victory Saturday at 3 p.m. when it plays host to Washington State (1-5, 0-2) at Reser Stadium.
After starting the season with competitive losses to top-25 teams Houston and Texas Tech, Coach JaMarcus Shephard’s Beavers have steamrolled four straight opponents by an average of 33 points. Over the last two weeks, they have rolled to wins over conference foes Colorado State (56-26) and San Diego State (66-14). With offensive coordinator Mitch Dahlen calling plays, the Beavers have piled up 69 first downs, 412 yards rushing, 889 yards passing and 1,301 yards total offense in the two games.
Sophomore quarterback Braden Atkinson leads the nation in passing yardage (2,257), total offense (2,242), completions per game (27.7) and passing touchdowns (21). Freshman wideout Jesse Legree leads the nation in receiving yardage (932) and touchdown receptions (12) and is second in yards per catch (24.5).
I reached out to a host of OSU’s all-time greats for their opinions on Shephard’s first Beaver team. Twenty-three of them responded. Their comments, in alphabetical order:
NICK BARNETT, 45, linebacker 1999-2002. Captain, first-team All-Pac-10 as senior. First-round draft pick by Green Bay, played 11 NFL seasons with Packers, Bills and Redskins. Received a Super Bowl ring with the Packers in 2010, though he suffered a wrist injury in the fourth game that laid him out for the season.
Barnett is in his fourth season as head coach at Del Norte High in San Diego. He has watched the Beavers play on TV this season and will attend his first game Saturday for the Washington State game.
“I have not met JaMarcus yet,” says Barnett, the father of four boys and a girl. “We have texted a bit. In talking with guys who have met him, I have heard nothing but good things about him. I did an internship in Buffalo this offseason and spoke to some coaches who knew him, and they were super excited about him being there. From afar, I like the excitement, the relationship he has built with his players and just the energy overall.
“They are doing an awesome job with the offense. They have good chemistry. You have to have some good play-calling to have that kind of yardage. Everyone has talent, but opportunities that get created for you by (the offensive coordinator) are important. It looks like they are on the right path. Hopefully they can continue that.”
Defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre “has been around the game a long time,” Barnett says. “They are playing good football on the defensive side. Football is football. There are only so many schemes you can do. It’s the buy-in you get from the guys, and it looks like they have a great deal of that on both sides of the ball. As long as your guys are playing with their hair on fire, you are going to get results. It looks like that is exactly what they are doing.
“It’s a new league now. You can only control what you can control. Oregon State has been put in a division beyond its control. The goal is to dominate that division, win games, play good football regardless of who you play and try to get a championship. They are on a path to doing just that. They can’t control what league we are in. All they can do is win games and try to get to the big stage. Hopefully, they will get that opportunity.”
YVENSON BERNARD, 41, running back 2004-07. First-team All-Pac-10 as junior, captain as a junior and senior. Ranks third on the school career rushing list with 3,862 yards. Played two CFL seasons with Winnipeg.
Bernard, who works as a financial advisor in Boca Raton, Fla., has watched every Oregon State game on TV this season.
“Atkinson and Legree have been unbelievable,” says Bernard, the father of boys aged 11 and 8. “It has been really fun to see. There are some flashes with the running backs. Shephard is a receivers guy. Hopefully, (AJ) Newberry can continue to do what he has been doing (rushing) the last two games.
“I give Shephard a lot of credit. Nowadays, head coaches have to not just coach and motivate the players, but you are also fund-raising. That’s a frickin’ battle. And you have to deal with NIL, too. That’s a lot of work. Fo him to do what he has been doing in Year One, and he has never been a head coach? Are you kidding me? Everyone is worried about keeping the players around. You better hope we can keep Shephard around. I don’t care what our record is from here on out, what he has done so far is frickin’ impressive.
“Brandin (Cooks) was a big force in Shep’s hiring (as a member of the selection committee). He was pushing hard for Shep. He was telling other (committee members), ‘We’ve got to get him.’ I don’t think Brandin has been getting enough credit for that.”
VICTOR BOLDEN, 31, receiver 2013-16. Ranks seventh on the OSU career receptions list with 170, including 72 for 798 yards as a sophomore. Bolden played two NFL seasons with San Francisco and Buffalo, and also spent time in the CFL, XFL and USFL. He was USFL championship game MVP with Birmingham in 2022, with six receptions for 64 yards and a TD along with 92 special-teams yards.
Bolden, who lives in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., has watched every Oregon State game on TV this season.
“I tune in every week,” says Bolden, who is doing some personal training while still training for a shot to play more pro football. “I am a big fan of what Coach Shephard has been doing. He mentioned (in a press availability) last week what he called ‘relentless fight.’ The players are showing that every week. They are doing a good job of buying in. That is what is going to propel the program. The foundation these guys set this year will set us up for some successful years with Coach Shephard. He has done a good job of establishing what he believes is the standard early. That is the sign of a good coach.
“I love what Legree is doing as a true freshman. He does a good job of running after the catch. That sets him apart from his peers. He has the ability to read the zones. He does a good job being on the same page with Braden, and on the crossing routes putting himself in position where Braden can find him. I am impressed with what he has been doing so far. I see only success for Jesse in the future.
“I am also impressed with the offense in general. They do a good job with the tight ends (DeCorian) Temple and (Eric) Olsen. Those guys are the X factors. It is hard for defenses to key on Jesse when you have great tight ends, and also the run game they have established the last couple of weeks.
“Coach Dahlen is doing a great job of establishing playmakers on the outside but also with developing the run game. They have been attacking defenses. I am impressed with what he has been doing.”
RICH BROOKS, 85, safety and quarterback 1961-63, assistant coach 1965-69 and 1973. Later head coach at Oregon (1977-94) and Kentucky (2003-09) and with the St. Louis Rams (1995 and ’96).
“I met (Shephard) at an event at Pebble Beach in May,” says Brooks, who divides time between homes in Eugene and La Quinta, Calif. “I was very impressed with him. Nice guy.
“What they have done this season is a major turnaround from what they had the last two years — it has been night and day. (Atkinson and Legree) are extremely talented and coached in a good system. I would hope the Beavers will come up with enough NIL money to keep them. The whole team is so much better. It is not even close to what it was the last two years.”
KEITH ELLISON, 42, linebacker 2004-05. Was first-team All-Pac-10 as a senior. Played five NFL seasons with Bills.
“I have watched several of their games on TV,” says Ellison, in his fifth season as head coach at his high school alma mater, Redondo Union (in Los Angeles). “I have been very impressed with the new coaching staff. (Defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre) is getting the most out of the players he has, which is the job of a coach. Of course, it helps when the offense is scoring 50 or 60 points. That takes a lot of pressure off.
“It looks to me like (Shephard) is a hell of a coach. They have done a tremendous job up there — not just with the team moving in a different direction, but with creating excitement around the program again. There is way more talk about Oregon State this year, way more awareness of the football program. It is exciting to see the program bounce back.”
DENNIS ERICKSON, 79, head coach 1999-2002. Coached Oregon State to an 11-1 record in 2000 and a 2001 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. He also won two national championships as head coach at the University of Miami, and was head coach of the Seahawks and 49ers. Dennis is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
“I always watch them on TV,” says Erickson, retired and living in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. “I am a big Oregon State fan. (Shephard) and his staff are doing a tremendous job. They have the thing back where it ought to be.
“Atkinson is a game-changer. He has great command of what is going on offensively, doesn’t make many mistakes. He is a leader. That is so important to getting a program turned around. I like him a lot.
“They have also been very good on defense. It is so much fun to watch. It goes back to my time there, when we had it going pretty good. The fans are into it again. They are in a new league. They are winning games. As I look at them, they believe in (Shephard) and his staff. I am excited about it.”
TIM EUHUS, 46, tight end 2000-03. Played four NFL seasons with Bills, Steelers and Cardinals.
“The offense is so creative,” says Euhus, who works as a financial advisor in Corvallis and is in his first year as head coach at Santiam Christian High. “As (offensive coordinator), he has good tools he is working with, but you can have good tools and not take advantage of them. Mitch is making it a really fun experience for the fans.
“At quarterback, Atkinson is a hybrid of Jonathan Smith and Derek Anderson. He has that in-game moxie and attention to game-planning detail. He is very much the coach on the field, like Jonathan was. (Atkinson) is committed to a few things in life, but very high on the priority tree is football acumen. That guys studies film. He is a gym rat. That is how he plays. And like Derek, he has a cannon of an arm and great accuracy.
“I don’t understand how Legree is doing it. If (a defense is) preparing for that, you do everything you can to not leave that guy isolated. Somehow with the creativity of play-calling, they figure out how to get him to open spots and one-on-one matchups every week. That amazes me.
“Olsen is an old-school tight end. He plays the position a lot like Joe Newton and I, and maybe Joe Halahuni, did. He just shows up and does his work. After he has made some big plays, he flashes the first-down sign and doesn’t celebrate a whole lot. He goes back to the huddle like, ‘I’m going to focus on my next job.’ I love that about him. He is taking advantage of the opportunity.
“What MacIntyre has done with the defense is terrific. Shephard has brought really good coaches onto his staff. It is not just players he is good at recruiting — it is also coaches. He has launched his vision. He has gotten really good coaches to buy in, too.
“There are some tough games ahead in Fresno State and Boise State, programs with good coaches, good players and tradition. It’s not the old Pac-12 anymore, but I’m not complaining. A year ago, we were figuring out different ways to lose a game. Now we are winning big. Let’s enjoy the football being played on the field.”
STEVE GERVAIS, 72, quarterback 1972-75. Retired and living in Sammamish, Wash., after a decorated 31 years in high school coaching in the state, winning six state championships. He is a member of the Washington State High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
Gervais attended the Texas Tech game and will be on hand for Saturday’s contest against Washington State.
“This season has been a major development in Oregon State football, to say the least,” Gervais says. “JaMarcus has brought in a whole new culture into the program. The kids have bought into it 110 percent.
Unfortunately, my first thought is, how are you going to keep these guys in the world of NIL? They are doing so damn well, what is going to happen with these guys, from the coach to the receiver to the quarterback, and all around? They have a great group, and they are growing week to week.
“Atkinson is exceptional. They are throwing the thing all over the place. He seems to have a great grasp and understanding of defensive coverages and being able to put the ball where it needs to be. In some tight windows sometimes, he makes some great throws.
“Mitch is exceptional also. I love the schematics and concepts he brings to the pass game. The running game is catching momentum, too. Somebody has to put quarterbacks in the right position with play-calling. If you are not calling things that fit correctly against the coverages or fronts, it is hard to be successful. He is putting that offense in great position to succeed all the time.
“There are some tough games left, but I think we will fare well against Fresno State and Boise State. Boise is so well-coached. We’ll see. It is good to see the Beavers be so well-coached, too.”
Mike Hass won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver in 2005 and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame
MIKE HASS, 43, receiver 2001-05. The school career record-holder in receiving yardage (3,924) and fourth in receptions (220). As a senior, he caught 90 passes for 1,532 yards, winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. Hass is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Hass attended the San Diego State game.
“The Beavers look awesome,” says Hass, who lives in Sherwood with wife Rebecca and two children and works as a project manager for Pacific Geosource. “Going into the season, with a first-year coach, I had no expectations, no real idea of even who was on the team. That’s the way it is now with the NIL and transfer portal. They have far exceeded all expectations to this point.
“Right now, the passing game is so dynamic, with Atkinson and Legree and the rest of the receivers. They can’t be stopped by the competition they’re currently playing. As the season moves on and it gets colder and the rain comes, running the ball more efficiently will be an important factor. When they go to Boise, they will need to run the ball, too. But when everything is working and you score 66 points, you can’t argue with the success.
“Coming from Mercer, I wasn’t sure how good Atkinson would be. He has a great arm, is on time with his throws, is more mobile than he gets credit for. He knows the guys to throw to and gets it to them. He knows the offense really well. I can’t leave out the impact Dahlen has had. He is the one calling the plays and setting them up to win. We will see him manning the sidelines as a head coach eventually.
“Legree is up there with the best receivers in the country. He has helped the Beavers become relevant on a national stage again, giving notoriety to the program. After where we have been the last couple of years, not having a conference … this has been really fun to watch. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had been 2-4 right now. They are beating the teams that, given what we know now, they should beat.
“It is a new world for Beaver fans. Not that long ago, we would have UCLA or Arizona or Arizona State coming in to play us in mid-October. We would play San Diego State in early September. I am glad the Beavers have a new conference, with everything that shakes out. Do I miss the old Pac? Absolutely. Everybody does. I have Duck and Husky and Cougar friends, and everybody misses those matchups. But I will take what we have now. No complaints here.”
GREG KRPALEK, 73, center 1971-74. Captain and All-Coast selection as a senior.
Krpalek, who lives in Albany and works as a financial advisor, has season club seats to Beaver football.
“JaMarcus and his staff are doing a phenomenal job,” Krpalek says. “He is a class act. We are all excited to see the success they’re having. They have worked hard, and they’re putting a great product onto the field for the fans to see.
“Atkinson is amazing. What a tremendous find getting him from Mercer. The kid is absolutely one of the best in the country right now. I love it when the pocket collapses, he steps right up, keeps his cool and fires it downfield. He is one heck of a quarterback.”
ANDY LEVITRE, 40, offensive tackle 2005-08. First-team All-American as a senior. Played 10 NFL seasons with the Bills, Titans and Falcons. He played in the 2017 Super Bowl with Atlanta.
Levitre, who is retired and lives in Nashville with his wife and two children, has watched the Beavers only on TV this season.
“I was hoping to get out to Corvallis for a game, but I don’t know if it will happen this year,” he says. “But I love what is going on. They have been in every game. They have put up a lot of points. They are super competitive. When you compete hard, you have a chance to be really good. Shep is doing something right to instill that in them.
“I loved what that linebacker (Dylan Layne) said after the Texas Tech game: ‘We’re playing to win, not to just be competitive.’ The right mindset is being coached there. It sounds like the guys are buying in. I have seen some of the coach’s interviews. He is instilling the right mindset. They have an understanding of how to compete and how to win. Everything I have seen from them, I like. I am excited to see how they finish the season out. I would love to catch them at the Pac-12 championship or in a bowl game.”
MATT MOORE, 42, quarterback 2005-06. Played 12 NFL seasons with Panthers, Dolphins and Chiefs. Won a Super Bowl with Kansas City in 2020.
Moore has watched every Beaver game on TV this season.
“The season has been amazing so far,” says Moore, who is retired and lives in Santa Clarita, Calif., with his wife and three children. “You can see what changes (Shephard) has implemented in a short amount of time, which is pretty incredible. I have only spoken to him on the phone briefly, but you get a sense for his energy, his passion. He seems to motivate his guys pretty well. It has been fun to watch.
“Atkinson has been great. He makes big plays and seems to minimize the negative plays. He is throwing to some really good targets, which helps, and the O-line is giving him time. The ball is coming out quick. He is on time and accurate. He is playing the position at a pretty high level.
“They are aggressive (on offense). Just when you think, ‘First down, they’ll go with a traditional run play,’ it’s another big play. They have a unique style. It is high-energy, exciting football. I am going to try to get up there for a game before the season is over.”
RYAN NALL, 30, running back, 2015-17. Ranks ninth on the career rushing list with 2,216 yards and tied for eight in touchdowns with 24. His 5.8-yard-per-carry average is best among the top 10. Nall played three NFL seasons with the Bears.
Nall attended the Texas Tech game, his first Beaver game in several years.
“I haven’t met (Shephard) yet, but I have heard nothing but good things,” says Nall, who lives in Clackamas with his wife and two children and works as a residential appraiser. “With all the circumstances — NIL, transfer portal, the conference blowing up — expectations were low with a new coach coming in to a program that has had a lot of fluctuation the last couple of years. Most of us were expecting anywhere from two to four wins. So I was surprised and pleased with the way the guys came out and played (against Texas Tech), with effort and passion.
“You see Shephard’s passion in everything he does. It is trickling down to the players. Those first two games were close against ranked opponents. It was encouraging to see that, and now we are in conference play, being able to find an identity. I turn the games on and I have it in the background when I am playing with the kids. I’m keeping tabs on what’s going on. It is trending upward. It has been exciting to watch.
“I really like Atkinson. I didn’t know anything about him. He was from a school I had never heard of. I thought, ‘OK, give the kid a shot.’ He is doing really well. He sits in the pocket, has good eyes, good feel for the progression. He doesn’t panic when the pocket collapses. He doesn’t scramble with the first sight of a blitz. He hangs in there and makes big-time throws. I have been impressed, for sure.
“The NIL stuff pisses me off. It has turned into a business. I don’t blame the kids at all, if they choose to go. The kids have to make the best business decisions for themselves. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. To me, legacy means something. When I came out (after his junior season) I had an opportunity to stay another year, transfer or go to the NFL. I knew I didn’t want to transfer, because I am a Beaver through and through. I decided to take a shot on myself and go to the NFL. It worked out. And you know what? My legacy is still at Oregon State. These kids who jump ship after a year, you look at them and think, ‘What was his name? Did he play for us?’ There is something to be said about legacy. But it is their decision, and hopefully we can keep the really talented kids that Shephard has recruited for this season.”
JOE NEWTON, 43, tight end 2003-06. Spent two seasons with the Seahawks practice squad. His 105 career receptions are the record for an OSU tight end.
Newton has attended no Beaver games this season, “but I have watched most of them on TV,” says Newton, who lives in Roseburg with his wife and three kids and works in forestry. “What a turnaround — completely unexpected and so fun to see.
“Coach Shephard has to get an A-plus to this point in the season. I can’t imagine how someone can come into a program in the shape that it was in and do much better of a job than he has done with what appears to be every aspect of the program.
“The work that Coach Dahlen has done is incredible. I had the pleasure of playing for some amazing offensive coaches and in some prolific offenses, but these guys are just lighting it up with record-setting production. It is crazy, honestly. You come into a season with a certain set of expectations. To be consistently blown away — what a fun season.
“I would love to see Oregon State be part of the old Pac-12 and play teams of that level. I think this team would be capable of it. But I am trying to enjoy and appreciate this team for what it is. This is the situation we have been put in. Our only choice is to do the best we can. I am proud of the job Coach Shephard and his staff have done in doing that. You control the things you can control. When it comes to that, they are doing a fantastic job.”
SABBY PISCITELLI, 43, safety 2003-06. He was first-team All-Pac-10 as a senior. Piscitelli played six NFL seasons with the Buccaneers, Browns and Chiefs. He spent eight years as a professional wrestler under the ring name “Tino Sabbatelli” from 2014-21. He and wife Amanda, parents of a two-month-old son, divide their time between homes in Westchester County, N.Y., and Delray Beach, Fla.
“I have watched two or three games on TV,” Piscitelli says. “It is very impressive what they are doing. I am impressed with the new coach. I would love to get out there. I want to reach out. I would love to speak to the team. One of the things I am doing now is public speaking, in the motivational, inspirational way. I tell my story. I want to inspire people that you can do whatever you put your mind to. If it’s not this year, I’ll get out there next year, for sure.
“What jumps out at me that I am absolutely loving, is the way they are paying attention to detail. There is a certain camaraderie in the family of football, and they seem to have it. Little things — like the way they dress when they come into the stadium, the way their hands are intertwined when they do things, the way they approach the game of football with non-football things. That is what I look at. The structure there seems really good. The coach has a very positive mentality. He is bringing back some old-school discipline, the accountability, no BS. I can just tell by the way his team is structured.
“College football is getting ruined. The money, the transfer portal — things are getting so out of control. What is valuable in life is what you are taught in college football, and they are taking that away from these coaches. You have players making more than the coaches now. That is not the way it is supposed to be.
“Winning does not start with just good football. It starts with the small details outside of the field — the accountability, being on time, being structured, paying attention to every single detail. Those are things the players are losing sight of. You can transfer whenever you want. If you don’t like something, you can leave. If you leave, you don’t grow with your coaches, you don’t get the camaraderie. (Former OSU defensive coordinator) Mark Banker was like a second dad to me for three years.
“The worst part to me is, the way you become a great college player is being in the same system, learning it, learning your schemes. If you transfer every year, you are not comfortable. You need to stay with the same system, be with the same coaching staff, be with the same program, with the same group of men to learn about life. Life isn’t about, ‘If I don’t like something, I’m leaving.’ I have always been a supporter of players making some money, but not like what is going on now.
“On defense, I see all 11 guys getting to the football. I see their attention to detail when I watch Oregon State’s defense. That is what will make you great. I had the privilege to play for one of the best defensive coordinators of all-time, Monte Kiffin, my first year in the NFL. I was amazed at his attention to the smallest details. The little things make a big difference. They still give up big plays here and there, but you have to learn and understand what your weaknesses are and fix it week to week.
“I am so grateful for that school for giving me three great years of learning. I will always be a fan of Beaver football.”
STEVE PREECE, 79, quarterback, 1966-68. Captain of “the Giant Killers.” Commentator on Beaver football radio pre-game shows. Played nine NFL seasons with Saints, Eagles, Broncos, Rams and Seahawks.
“We are only halfway through this season,” Preece says. “The players are learning as the weeks go on. What they have done so far is miraculous. Watching them through spring practice, I didn’t necessarily believe in them at the start. I can say now that this is the most detailed coaching staff I have seen for awhile. They go over and over things that you don’t think a first-year coaching staff would do. In style, they are closest to the coaches during the Dennis Erickson or Dee Andros eras — on your ass constantly, then up with an arm around you, hugging you. The kids believe in the coaches, and the coaches believe in the kids. They practice so long and so hard, it is remarkable.
“Defensively, they have great coaches with a ton of experience. They have improved every game on defense since the start. They missed 11 tackles the first game. The offense has been the story of the season, but the defense has continued to get better. They are one of the better defenses in the league now. “On offense, it’s been like Bill Walsh’s West Coast Offense and Mouse Davis’ run-and-shoot on steroids. The way Mitch varies his formations — three tight ends, then two plays later, four wideouts and no tight ends — keeps defenses guessing. Last week, they had a quarterback throwing a touchdown to another one. They had 14 players catch balls last week — how do you do that?
“They change their offense every week. It amazes me. They do it with a group of kids that had not been together until last spring. They are playing a lot of players. Every week, there is somebody new getting in there. JaMarcus tells every kid they will get a chance to play if they do these things in practice, and he does it. He plays them.
“Braden has the quickest delivery I have seen in a long time. He has a rocket arm. The biggest thing is the way he reads the defenses, throws on time and delivers when he is supposed to. He can throw every pass. He has just enough mobility to be a problem for the defense. They have an offense that is perfect for him. He does things over and over in practice and hardly ever makes a mistake.
“The Washington State game is important. Trent (Bray, the Wazzu D-coordinator) will have a good defense ready. I still think Oregon State will get its 31 to 35 points — enough to win. Fresno State will be tough. If Oregon State gets by (WSU) this week, you are down to five games and two of them are on the road against Fresno State and Boise State. Those are both going to be tough games.
“I wasn’t sure JaMarcus could keep the kids fully invested through the season. So far, he has managed to do it. It has been great to see.”
MIKE RILEY, 73, head coach 1997-98 and 2003-14. Won two Grey Cups at Winnipeg, was head coach of the Chargers from 1999-2001 and at Nebraska from 2015-17. Coached Oregon State to eight bowl games in the Mike Riley II era.
OSU coaches “have done a remarkable job,” says Riley, who lives in Corvallis and is a member of the College Football Playoff selection committee. “It has not been easy. Look around the country at programs with new staffs, trying to find their way. You see so many new players on teams these days. The job they did putting the team together and acquiring talent and forming a roster has been super impressive. And then the coaching that has gone with it … the combination has been probably as good as anybody has done in the country this year. When you look around and see the changes that are made in college football, and this group coming in here and putting a team together and coaching football at a high level … it has been impressive.”
Riley points to Oregon State’s success on third and fourth down the past two games — 22 of 29 conversions. He gives Dahlen much credit for it.
“A 50 percent rate is good,” Riley says. “They are way above that. Third down is such a crucial part of football and a big factor in winning games. Keeping the football, moving the chains, being in good field position, scoring points — it all goes together. It directly relates to a good plan and the coaching that leads to good execution. When you can be just about perfect on third-down conversions, it is an indication of the good coaching that is going on at Oregon State.”
Riley often attends practice and visits with Dahlen and MacIntyre.
“I have fun talking to Mitch and watching his offense,” Riley says. “He is bright and creative, and he has a great way of making strategy lead to good execution. You can have the best play in the world, but the players have to practice it correctly and feel confident in being able to execute. You are seeing the combination of strategy and execution at a high level in Mitch’s offense.
“Mike was a great hire. He is a veteran coach who always been known as a brilliant defensive guy. It is a really good fit for JaMarcus and his staff. (MacIntyre) brings a lot of expertise to the table. Their defense has complemented their offense in a great way. I watch practice often enough to know the kind of detail that is going into the work that Mike’s defense is doing on the field. They are fortunate to have him and they are playing really sound, smart defense.
“JaMarcus’ ability to recognize and acquire talent in a short period of time is phenomenal. I hear a lot of his post-practice talks to the team. The leadership he has shown to that group, and the football that is being taught to that group, is impressive, but it also about life lessons. This is a really good picture of what a true football program looks like. It is about growth, development both as a player but also he has a lot of lessons for kids growing up to be men.”
ROY SCHUENING, 42, offensive guard, 2004-07. He was first-team All-American as a senior. Schuening played one NFL season with the St. Louis Rams.
Schuening has watched several Beaver games on TV, though none in person.
“The new coach has brought a ton of excitement to the program,” says Schuening, who lives in Pendleton and works for a company that makes French fries for McDonald’s, while also coaching youth football for his son’s team. “I followed a lot of the stuff they were doing for workouts through the summer. Some of it was outside the box. It feels like there is a fair amount of toughness being brought to it. I always compare it to what we did with Cav (former O-line coach Mike Cavanaugh. His deal was to be tough on you, but also love on you, and on game day, bring a ton of enthusiasm.
“It has been nice to see the run game come along. They are putting up huge numbers in the pass game. The first couple of games, they were going against tough opponents. I was questioning our guys up front and their level of toughness. A lot of that is determined with how well you run the ball. If you can impose your will on the other team and run the ball, that says a lot about the character of the kids on that team. Lately being able to run, you see the transition in this group.
“I have loved watching the quarterback. He has a great life story, coming in under the radar. Seems like a tough kid. He isn’t afraid to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball and take a shot. He reminds me a lot of Matt Moore, the toughest quarterback I ever played with. Matt was one of those guys who would do anything for his O-line. That is the feeling I get watching Braden.”
Former Oregon State and NFL linebacker Richard Seigler now lives in Vancouver, Wash., and works as a clinical director of an outpatient mental health counseling company (courtesy Richard Seigler)
RICHARD SEIGLER, 46, linebacker, 2000-03. First-team All-Pac-10 and captain as a junior and senior, defensive MVP as a senior. Played two NFL seasons with the 49ers and Steelers. Seigler lives in Vancouver, Wash., with his wife and three children, a clinical director of an outpatient mental health counseling company, with offices in Portland and Pendleton.
Seigler attended the San Diego State game.
“Super exciting,” he says. “The environment at Reser is absolutely electric. I love the way they are presenting it now. There is a certain swagger this team has that reminds me of the teams when I played. It was foreign for some time to be at a Beaver game and not have some anxiety by halftime. To be contemplating, ‘Do I leave to beat the traffic because we are blowing them out?,’ was kind of weird. People are like, ‘We are really this good.’ People are talking about how the entire environment is different. You enter the stadium, it’s like a party.
“Hopefully, everybody stays grounded, stays together. They are playing for their teammates. It reminds me of the outcasts Erickson grabbed, a bunch of guys who were hungry. These kids look hungry, and they are playing hard. They are playing with a chip (on their shoulders), like they are trying to pay everybody back.
“We have a group chat with some of the guys I played with. We are excited about this season. We don’t want to look too far ahead, but … we have started making our plans for a bowl game. Looks to me like we are going to win the Pac.”
KEN SIMONTON, 47, running back 1998-2001. Holds school career records in rushing yardage (5,044) and touchdowns (56). First-team All-Pac-10 and second-team All-American as a junior.
Simonton came from his home in Antioch, Calif., to attend the San Diego State game and pull the proverbial game-starting chainsaw for the fans on hand.
“What a fun day,” says Simonton, married and with two children. “The last couple of years have been tough — so many changes. It has been a rough road. But you can feel the different energy in the place now. It’s a good feel.”
Equipment manager Steve “Lightning” McCoy introduced Shephard and Simonton afterward.
“I made it a point to hang around after the game, and Lightning got me and JaMarcus together,” Simonton says. “It meant everything to be able to shake his hand, give him a big hug and feel that energy.”
Simonton, who works as an investigator for the U.S. Department of Labor, knows a difficult job when he sees it.
“There’s no way in this world I would want to coach college football now,” he says. “It is so much an industry in flux right now. Everyone said it would be hard to recruit to Oregon State now. For him to get the gems that he has pulled in, to have these guys energized and bottled and primed — my hat’s off to him and his entire staff. It is a hell of a job in a tough market, and I am proud to see the way they fight every game. Even the games they lost, you felt, ‘OK, we’re in it.’ If we were playing (Houston and TexasTech) now instead of at the start of the season, it might have been a different outcome. It has been cool to see.
“That we could even ponder a chance to win the league and a CFP berth is something. There are still things to improve and build on. It is cool to see them compete at a high level. Any time you score 50-plus points, you are doing something. You’re getting defensive coordinators fired, Mitch — come on!”
BILL SWANCUTT, 44, defensive end 2001-04. He holds school career records for sacks (37) and tackles-for-loss (60) and was Pac-10 Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He played one NFL season with the Lions.
Swancutt, who works in wealth management and lives in West Linn with his wife and three children, has watched all but one Beaver game on TV this season.
“It has been fun to watch,” he says. “Even the games they lost early on were encouraging, (Shephard) is energetic, which is what they have needed — that energy and excitement to the program. He has done a phenomenal job with that. I hope they can keep it going with the players they got. The only worry is players and coaches — you do well, and all of a sudden, other schools come knocking.
“Back in the day, when Mike Riley was coaching, he prided himself in finding diamonds in the rough and turning them into great players. Nowadays, you develop somebody, and somebody else with deeper pockets comes and grabs them.
“Defensively, the thing that I see the most is they are solid from a foundation standpoint, a fundamental standpoint. I wouldn’t say they have any superstars, but they have a lot of guys who do their job. When it comes to being a solid defense, you get 11 guys on the field who can do their job, it goes a long ways. You can compete with anybody.”
Ex-Beaver cornerback Kenny Taylor, who as a rookie was a member of the 1986 Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears (courtesy Kenny Taylor)
KENNY TAYLOR, 63, cornerback 1982-84. Played two NFL seasons with the Bears and Chargers. Was a member of Chicago’s 1986 Super Bowl champions as a rookie.
Taylor hasn’t seen Oregon State play in person this season, but he has been watching on TV.
“I am sitting on the couch with my mouth wide open,” says Taylor, who is a speed trainer living in Temecula, Calif. “What? This is crazy. I hear from some of my old Beaver teammates about JaMarcus. They are saying how different this guy is. I am blown away.
“During the Erickson era, with receivers like (Chad) Johnson and (TJ) Houshmanzadeh, in those critical moments, they caught the ball, and they didn’t fumble. This team seems that way. I had heard JaMarcus was energetic. I have seen now that he has a lot of energy, a lot like Mike Ditka on the positive side. But it is not so much his energy as the consistency of the level of his energy. We can all get in the mood, get fired up, but he’s always at that level. That is contagious. His attitude is, ‘We don’t know about the past.’ I say, amen, brother. I played with Chris Dahlen, Mitch’s father. I like what he is doing, too.
“The issue is going to be, (the top players) are not going to be around too long in this landscape of college football. I am still heartbroken with the Pac-12 disbanding. Now to have this revival going on at Oregon State, with a new stadium and all, it’s awesome. One year, maybe two with this group? I get it.”
ROBB THOMAS, 60, receiver, 1985-88. He ranks ninth on the school’s career receiving yardage list (2,043) and 14th in receptions (138). Thomas played 10 NFL seasons with the Chiefs, Seahawks and Buccaneers.
Thomas hasn’t been to a Beaver game yet this season, but watches on TV.
“What stands out most is the intensity of play,” says Thomas, who is retired and lives in Bend. “They are all dialed in, which has been lacking the last couple of years. And the physical effort you see on the field … last year I stopped watching, because it didn’t seem like there were enough guys who cared. That might not be true, but that’s what it looked like.
“I met with Shephard and Dahlen in the spring. I came away from that meeting thinking I would have loved to play for this guy (Shephard). He reminds me in his positiveness of Tony Dungy, who was my favorite coach to play for. I love their attitude, their philosophy on recruiting and building a program. He needed to do it a different way because of NIL and the imbalance of how much money a program has. Whatever they’re doing, they’re doing it right.
“I have known Mitch since he was in high school (at Redmond). I played with his dad. I am so impressed by Mitch’s work as coordinator. He knows what the hell he is doing. To be a new offensive coordinator, that’s really impressive.
“Legree is not a big guy, but I like the way he plays. He is not intimidated. To play with that kind of confidence as a freshman — he is the whole package. He has great hands, he’s fast, knows how to run routes, has a good sense of where to be in zone coverage.
“Atkinson came out of nowhere. I didn’t even know who the quarterback was going into the opener. He is so consistent, so productive.
“They have a great chance to win the conference this year, which would be awesome. It is so much fun to watch.”
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