Overall, Beavers Overcame a Lot

Oregon State Survives Injuries To Reach Bowl

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 26 -- The starters listed on the preseason depth chart have missed a combined 24 games, which includes the star offensive lineman, who broke his leg, and the starting quarterback, whose injury opened the door for his replacement to flourish. The team's emotional leader has not been immune either, though he missed fewer games than he probably should have, playing through injuries that would have ended the seasons of those with less will.

Through all of it, they have persevered, knocking off a top 10 team on the way to a postseason appearance. Indeed, Oregon State has followed a path similar to that of its opponent, Maryland, to reach Friday's Emerald Bowl.

"We've overcome some stuff," Oregon State Coach Mike Riley said.

Beavers guard Jeremy Perry, who has since returned, suffered the broken leg in his team's season opener. His absence was felt immediately as Oregon State started 2-3. Another part of the Beavers' early struggles was quarterback Sean Canfield's erratic play. After Canfield suffered a shoulder injury, Lyle Moevao has guided the Beavers to a 3-0 mark as a starter.

But the presence of senior running back Yvenson Bernard was perhaps the biggest factor in the turnaround, as the Beavers have won six of their last seven games.

"The only thing we could do was give the ball to" Bernard, Riley said. "But our team kind of battled into a new identity of what we could do."

Considered one the team's emotional leaders, Bernard delivered another stellar season, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the third time in his career. Bernard's 3,685 career rushing yards ranks second in school history and 10th all-time in the Pacific-10 Conference. Though Bernard missed the final game of the regular season because of a knee injury, he expects to play against the Terrapins.

"He's one of the most reliable, best guys I've ever coached," Riley said. "I just don't know if they make a whole lot of people like him."

While the Beavers' offense struggled at times, their defense made a legitimate case to be considered the best in the Pac-10. Though it plays in a conference known for filling the sky with footballs, Oregon State has built its recent resurgence on an aggressive defense that ranks No. 12 in the country overall and No. 2 against the run. Only two running backs this season -- California's Justin Forsett and Oregon's Jonathan Stewart -- have rushed for more than 100 yards against the Beavers' stout front seven.

"The front seven is really solid," Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen said. "They run extremely well."

Oregon State middle linebacker Alan Darlin said the Beavers' scheme allows the freedom to be aggressive.

"It's attack mode all the time," Darlin said. "We like to think of making the offense defend us, rather than the other way around. We give linebackers a lot of freedom to run to the ball and make plays and keep us in the box. And the secondary does a great job of covering us up."

Maryland has some experience to draw from. Earlier this season, the Terrapins successfully ran the ball against Boston College, the nation's No. 1 run defense. But the Beavers provide an added challenge because the term "front seven" is a slight misnomer. Riley has used as many as 10 defensive linemen and as many as eight linebackers, a phenomenon apparent in the team's statistics. This season, 18 Oregon State players have recorded a tackle for a loss and 11 have at least one sack.

"They play prepared and they play with passion," Riley said of his defense. "That's who they are. They've been solid all year, and I think it's one of the best defenses in this part of the country."

Terrapins Note: Friedgen said tight end Jason Goode is expected to play Friday, though he wore a walking boot on his right ankle and did not practice Wednesday. Goode injured his ankle Monday.