OSU looks to pump up D-line pass rush

• Defense shines in spring game as Beavers try to take pressure off secondary

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, May 2, 2006, Updated Oct 30, 2009

CORVALLIS Ñ The glaring weakness of Oregon State’s defense a year ago was the secondary. Freshmen cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Brendan Hughes were picked on frequently as the Beavers, who ranked first in the Pac-10 in rush defense (108 yards per game), finished last in pass defense (298).

There were two contributing factors to those numbers, however. NFL-worthy linebackers Trent Bray and Keith Ellison made a ton of tackles on runs near the line of scrimmage. And the pass rush was anemic; OSU was last in the Pac-10 in sacks with 11. That left Lewis and Hughes on an island on far too many occasions.

Senior tackles Sir Henry Anderson and Alvin Smith have departed, but after Saturday’s spring game at Reser Stadium indications are that the Beavers’ front four will be better in 2006. The defense outplayed the offense during the spring practice-ending scrimmage, in no small part to the men up front. Tailback Clinton Polk managed only 44 yards on 20 carries against the first-team defense, and quarterbacks Matt Moore and Sean Canfield wore pass rushers like ornaments much of the afternoon.

“The D-linemen played fast,” Moore says. “The guys who are back got bigger, stronger, faster. You can notice the difference.”

Ben Siegert, a 6-4, 295-pound senior-to-be tackle who shared time with Anderson and Smith last season, is the leader of the defensive front and the only for-sure starter.

“I’m one of the older guys,” says Siegert, a starter on at least a part-time basis since his freshman year. “I’ve been here awhile. I’m trying to lead by example.”

Curtis Coker, a 6-1, 305-pound junior-to-be, is the other starting tackle, but he faced challenges this spring from junior-to-be Naymon Frank Ñ at 6-5 and 320, 30 pounds heavier than a year ago Ñ 6-1, 310-pound sophomore-to-be Pernell Booth and 6-2, 290-pound junior-to-be William Vea. That’s not to mention junior-college transfer Gerard Lee, who could earn a starting nod when he arrives for August training camp.

Starting defensive ends Joe Lemma (6-3, 255 senior-to-be) and Jeff Van Orsow (6-4, 265 junior-to-be) return, but holdovers Joe Rudulph (6-5, 255 junior-to-be) and Victor Butler (6-2, 235 sophomore-to-be) and JC transfer Dorian Smith (6-3, 250 junior-to-be) figure for playing time. Bill Swancutt they are not, but collectively they could be a formidable group.

“They have about eight or nine guys in the rotation on the D-line, and they all look improved,” OSU TV analyst Steve Preece says. “They have competition at all four positions. I like what I’ve seen this spring.”

Says Siegert: “We’re meshing together really well. We’re developing a chemistry. Everybody is competing for a spot. Nobody gets complacent. We all just grind every day.”

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