Beavs elect four as team captains

OREGON STATE players in a team vote have elected four captains for the 2008 season -- Victor Butler, Brandon Hughes, Andy Levitre and Sammie Stroughter. All are seniors.

Victor Butler, following an oustanding spring, is slated to be a starter at defensive end this season after being used mainly as a pass rush specialist in previous years.

Despite not being an every down player, Butler was nevertheless among the national leaders last season with 10.5 sacks accounting for 101 lost yards. The Rialto, Calif., native is also a Ted Hendricks Award candidate.

Brandon Hughes, from Bloomington, Ill., has started the last 31 games at cornerback for Oregon State.

A Lott Trophy and Jim Thorpe candidate, Hughes was a second team All-Pac-10 selection last season after making 12 pass breakups and racking up 57 tackles.

Andy Levitre, versatile offensive tackle from Ben Lomand, Calif., has started 26 games in his Beaver career, including 22 straight. He was second team All-Pac-10 selection last season for his play and academically.

Levitre and o-line teammate Jeremy Perry are Outland Trophy candidates for 2008.

Sammie Stroughter, from Sacramento, is a co-team captain for the second straight year. The game breaking receiver and return man regained his senior season by earning a medical hardship after playing in just three games in 2007.

Stroughter was an Associated Press Third Team All-American in 2006 and is a candidate for the Maxwell Award this season.

Mike Riley also appoints a game captain every week.

Fall practice begins earlier than ever this year, getting underway Fri., Aug. 1 at the Prothro Football Complex. The 2 p.m. session is open to the public.