Mike Riley Has The Beavers Knocking On The Door Of A PAC 10 Championship
December 3, 2009 – 6:00 am by Michael Bean
You have to be impressed with what Mike Riley has been able to accomplish with the Oregon State Beavers football program. For a school that’s not exactly known to be an athletic powerhouse, Riley and the Beavers sure have been consistent piling up the wins each and every year. Granted, they’ve yet to really have a ‘breakthrough’ year on the national scene (Editor’s note: Except for 2001 under Dennis Erickson wherethey smoked Notre Dame 41-9 in the Fiesta Bowl), but every season, they seem to be right in the hunt in the PAC 10 with a healthy and respectable number of victories. Since returning back to Corvallis in 2003 following a stint in the NFL,
Riley has posted the following win totals: 8, 7, 5, 10, 9, 9. Solid stuff. Riley’s teams are also a perfect 5-0 in Bowl games since 2003, though none of the Bowl appearances have been in what might be classified as marquee games. That could all change this year. The Beavers are 9-3 heading in to the Civil War game with rival Oregon – the PAC 10 leader for the moment. The winner of this year’s game will represent the PAC 10 in this year’s Rose Bowl.
Riley joined KFXX in Portland to talk about the magnitude of this year’s Civil War game, the difficulties of playing at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, how important it is that quarterback Jacquizz Rodgers plays well, and how he plans to remain at Oregon State for the remainder of his coaching career.
On whether or not this year’s Civil War game vs. Oregon is program defining for the Beavers:
“Absolutely. You know what, I think its defining and its probably more defining from the outside. I think we have a definition from within this program as far as values and winning, where were trying to head and all that stuff. But probably from the outside it would be defining for people to know more about us and who we are and what we do. So it would be big that way. But I am very comfortable with as far as the definition of our program, what we have done and where we are still headed.”
On the difficulties of playing at Autzen Stadium:
“Oregon is different because of the crowd, the noise. So poise is a major factor in this game and to their advantage as far as being able to both embrace and handle the situation of the emotion, passion and the noise. The actual tangible noise that you have to deal with – I think they have had an average of four procedure penalties on their opponents because of noise throughout the year. So, it obviously is a factor that you have got to be able handle so you can give yourself a chance to execute. Because if you don’t handle that, you wont be able to execute.”
On the importance of the play of Jacquizz Rodgers vs. Oregon:
“Well, I think its great. It’s an identity for our team. Philosophically, the Beavers have to run the ball. And we have a great runner as they do. So it’s going to be a great one for fans. They have a great running back and we do too. It’s a foundation point for our offense. So having [Jacquizz] playing in the game is obviously a big, big deal for the Beavers.”
On whether or not he plans to remain coaching at Oregon State and make this job his last one:
“Yes. That’s exactly right. I have experienced a ton of fun things and good things and I have really enjoyed this profession. And I have learned a lot. The one thing is, if you are happy stay happy. There’s not greener pastures and I do have a special feeling for this place and more particularly this staff… I couldn’t ask for any more anywhere else. So, I just want to continue to make this a good place for young people to grow and to win games.”
Listen to Mike Riley on KFXX in Portland with Isaac and Big Suke
Tags: Civil War game, Jacquizz Rodgers, Mike Riley, Oregon State vs. Oregon for Pac 10 championship, toughest places to play in college football
