Two Beav d-linemen have to hang 'em up

OREGON STATE's DEPTH on the d-line is a little thinner today. Junior defensive tackle Tonu Tuimalealiifano and senior defensive end Mitchel Hunt were deemed physically unable to perform because of continuing injury problems with their knees and have ended their football careers.

Mike Riley said losing Mitchel Hunt and Tonu Tuimalealiifano doesn't necessarily open up two scholies because they started camp. Riley said he still hopes to change that and award them to deserving walk-ons.

"We will appeal the possibility of doing something with at least one of the scholarships but by rule, once you've started camp - even though that guy is going to 'medical' - you can't replace the scholarship for a year,'' Riley told the Oregonian.

Hunt has undergone two surgeries during his Beaver career, Tonu had one.

“Mitch wasn’t the same player that he once was. He knew it. We knew it. But we allowed him to give it that shot. And Tonu, hard as he’s worked and as good as it (the knee) would feel for awhile it never stayed that way.’’