LAS VEGAS BOWL: Turning the corner on BYU

BYU TOPS THE majority of offensive statistical categories in the Mountain West Conference -- and that could mean a very large challenge for an Oregon State secondary that is suddenly lean on experience.   Full Story

Ken Whisenhunt does a good job of shrugging off the importance of Monday Night's game. But failing to clinch the division in front of one of football's biggest crowds has to bother him more than he lets on...   Full Story

WHO IS ARRIVING in January? Who still has work to do? What about the much-talked about TCU game potentially taking the place of EWU on the 2010 schedule? With CB Tim Clark (leg) out for the Las Vegas Bowl, who takes his place in the starting lineup? What's the corner depth look like behind the starters? Those were just some of the topics Mike Riley was talking about today.   Full Story

THE BEAVERS HAVE finalized another home-and-home series with Hawaii, beginning with the 2011 season at Aloha Stadium.   Full Story

On the same day current Alabama All-America linebacker Rolando McClain was being recognized for excellence by being named the winner of the Dick Butkus Award, New York’s famed Waldorf-Astoria was the site to honor a past legendary Crimson Tide defender.   Full Story

It's been an interesting past few years for Cale Iorg, the highly-touted shortstop prospect of the Tigers. From a breakout freshman season at Alabama, to two years off, to injuries, to being hyped as a future All-Star by team general manager Dave Dombrowski, to a rough 2009. Mark Anderson spoke with Cale about it all.   Full Story

THERE CERTAINLY HASN'T been a lack of stories, videos and interviews leading up to the 113th Civil War. Coach Mike Riley has been interviewed by ESPN to 1240 Joe Radio and everyone in between. Here is a collection of interviews with Riley and some former Beaver football players along with a couple of videos.   Full Story

IT'S ABOUT PREPARATION, and for Oregon State it began more than a week ago, says Mike Riley. The Beavers' head man also spoke to the latest injury news, including where DT Brennan Olander and TE Brady Camp are at, the challenge the Ducks provide, both on offense and defense, his thoughts on QB Jeremiah Masoli, RB LaMichael James and more.   Full Story

IT TOOK AWHILE. Oregon State didn't begin to find their stride on the interior of the defensive line until the second half of the season. But once Brennan Olander emerged, that in turn freed up Stephen Paea, and it's been a tackle-for-loss, pocket-crunching d-line of disruption ever since. Yet just as Olander was becoming a real force, he was dinged last week. What does it mean for the Civil War?   Full Story

Auburn quarterback Chris Todd was injured and did not play in last year's 36-0 Auburn loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium. One of his current receivers, Kodi Burns, was behind center that day. So when Todd drops back for that first pass Friday in this year's Iron Bowl, he'll get the chance to renew an old acquaintance: Alabama defensive end Brandon Deaderick.   Full Story

BESIDES THE OBLIGATORY prose, the word "rose", plus any and all variations, was probably the most used word in the Oregon media write ups on the win Saturday over WSU, while up north the Cougar media contingent can't wait for the 2009 season to come to a close - and appear a little jealous of the stakes in the '09 Civil War.   Full Story

THE BEAVERS HAVE now won seven of the past 10, and five of the last six, over Washington State. Meanwhile, Mike Riley moves into second place on OSU's coaching record chart.   Full Story

JUST MINUTES AFTER the conclusion of Oregon State's fourth road win of the year talk turned to the Civil War and the Rose Bowl. Coach Mike Riley and Sean Canfield were happy to discuss one of the most anticipated Civil Wars in the history of the series.   Full Story

Portland Beavers pitching coach Glenn Abbott was the man who prepped many of the young San Diego Padres arms in Triple-A. MadFriars.com caught up with Abbott to discuss many of the players who showed up in San Diego during the year.    Full Story

IS IT A down year in the Pac-10? Mike Riley doesn't think so. The Beavers' head man talks about the emergence of Joe Halahuni, where he sees Sean Canfield compared to other Pac-10 quarterbacks, injuries and the contributions of Aaron Nichols. Oh, and the Beavs also play an injury-depleted, young and outmanned WSU team this weekend.   Full Story

OH WHAT A difference three years can make. With Oregon State lining up against Washington State this weekend, it calls to mind what happened three years ago when the Beavs and Cougs clashed.   Full Story

SURE, WE’RE GETTING ahead of ourselves here. Oregon State still needs help, and they still need to win out. And Oregon still needs to uphold their end of the bargain against Arizona this coming Saturday. We know all of that. But we also know this -- the stars look to be lining up. And the mostly likely of scenarios? A Civil War for the ages, with the winner earning a Rose Bowl berth.   Full Story

Ever wonder what the Cardinals rookies salaries, incentives and options are? Brian McIntyre of NorthwestFootball.net takes you inside the contracts signed by the Arizona Cardinals 2009 draft class.   Full Story

THE HUSKIES HAVE lost five of their past six and three in a row. The Beavs whill also have their home field advantage working for them in Reser. Mike Riley, however, isn't having any of it.   Full Story

CFN'S RICHARD CIRMINIELLO has some kind words for Mike Riley and his staff stating that the group is the best in the Pac-10 at developing players. Cirminiello even goes further saying that big time recruits in California should give thought to attending school in Corvallis if they want to maximize their abilities.   Full Story

ON PAPER IT would seem that the Oregon State vs. Cal is a dead-even matchup. Both teams enter with 3-2 conference records, sport star-studded offenses and have faced questions about their defense this year. Closer inspection, however, reveals something decidedly different.   Full Story

David Robertson became an important part of the World Champion New York Yankees bullpen this past season. Looking back at his development, here's one of our magazine features on Robertson from May of 2008. Not a subscriber to PinstripesPlus Magazine? You're missing out on articles like this one.   Full Story

CAL'S JAHVID BEST IS averaging 6.3 yards a carry. But as formidable task as trying to stop Best is don't forget, says OSU head man Mike Riley, about Shane Vereen, the second half of the Bears' 1-2 running back punch -- or about Kevin Riley's ability to go deep.   Full Story

THERE WAS PLENTY of talk about the Wild Beaver formation that resulted in Jacquizz Rodgers tossing the first touchdown of his collegiate career. Here's what Mike Riley, Quizz and others had to say after their 26-19 victory over UCLA Oct. 31.   Full Story

A bevy of Alabama football named stars historically blankets the fall Southeastern sky. This autumn one looms from another sport perched in the Northeast baseball heaven hovering over Yankee Stadium. The rise of former Alabama baseball player David Robertson from a 17th round MLB draft choice to earning his first World Series roster spot as a reliever for the 2009 Bronx Bombers has been meteoric.   Full Story