MATCHUP: Hawaii at Oregon State

OREGON STATE CLEARLY holds an edge with its receivers while both teams lines haven't been playing up to snuff. BF.C takes a closer look at Week Three, position by position.

Beavers		Warriors
OL	COMMENTS	OL
	Center John Estes, a Rimington, Outland and Lombardi candidate, is perhaps the best player on the offensive side of the ball with 27 consecutive starts under his belt. He has helped the Warriors average 339.5 yards of total offense, good for 79th in the country.  Their strength lies with the pass as they average 243 yards a game, good for 43rd in the nation.  On the flip side their 96.5 rushing yards per game ranks 102.  The unit has yielded six sacks in two games which is tied for the fifth most in the nation. Tackle Andy Levitre, a smart, mobile big man is the Beavers star on the offensive line as he has helped the team average 416 yards of total offense per game. OSU is just one of 20 FBS schools averaging over 300 yards of passing a game (327) but is just 1 of 18 FBS schools averaging less than 100 yards a game on the ground (89).  They have given up a respectable four sacks in two games. Both teams can move the ball through the air, but struggle on the ground.  Push.
QB's	COMMENTS	QB's
	Junior Lyle Moevao hasn't been bad, but he hasn't been great either.  He has completed 59 of 95 (62%) passes for 654 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions - tied for the most in the FBS.  Throwing out the four picks Moevao has been accurate, but his inability to throw a deep pass has not allowed the offense to fully exploit its excellent group of receivers. UH has tried a trio of quarterbacks starting with Greg Alexander before moving to the mobile Inoke Funaki and finally to Tyler Graunke who will start in Corvallis.  Graunke led the Warriors on a come from behind victory last week in which he completed 13 of 30 (65%) passes for 218 and three touchdowns in just two quarters. Moevao needs to put together a complete game while Graunke is looking to solidify himself as a starter.  Depth is an issue for OSU while UH has already started their top three signal callers.  Push.
RB's	COMMENTS	RB's
	Hawaii uses a running back committee led by Leon Wright-Jackson and Jayson Rego who have combined for 24 carries, 133 yards and one touchdown.  Wright-Jackson averages 5.2 per carry and is the team's fourth leading receiver with five catches for 47 yards.  Rego averages 6.0 yards a run. Oregon State starts a budding star in true freshman Jacquizz Rodgers who has 153 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries.  Rodgers is the most explosive of the bunch and is a future Pac-10 star.  Edge for the Beavers.
WR's	COMMENTS	WR's
	The Warriors leading receiver is Michael Washington who has nine catches for 127 yards (14.1 ypc).  Senior Aaron Bain has the most receiving touchdowns with two to go along with six snags and 42 yards. Sophomore Greg Salas (7 rec./101 yds/1 TD) and junior Malcom Lane (4 rec./65 yds/1 TD) round out the starting four. Oregon State's leading receiver in terms of receptions is senior Shane Morales who has 17 catches for 191 yards and one touchdown.  Senior Sammie Stroughter, the team's big play receiver, has 16 catches for 213 yards and a team high two touchdowns.  Sophomore James Rodgers, a fly sweep specialist, Chris Johnson and Darrell Catchings all receive playing time. The Beavers have more playmakers on the roster. Edge to OSU.

 

---

Beavers		Warriors
DL	COMMENTS	DL
	The Orange and Black defensive line has struggled mightily as they have grabbed just two sacks on the year while giving up over 200 yards on the ground in each game.  DE Victor Butler, who has a co-team high three tackles for loss, is one of the team's top defensive players, but needs help from his counterparts to be effective.  The tackles have been non-factors as the coaches are looking for someone to step up. Senior tackle Joshua Leonard leads the Hawaii defensive line as he is second on the team in tackles with 11 stops, including a team high three tackles for loss, after a big game against Weber State.  UH is giving up over 117 yards on the ground and have yielded five touchdowns, just one less than OSU. Six to one, half dozen of another.
LB's	COMMENTS	LB's
	Seniors Adam Lenard, a first team All-WAC selection a year ago, and Solomon Elimimian, a preseason WAC Defensive Player of the Year selection, are two outstanding linebackers, but have got off to a slow start.   In the meantime junior Brashton Satele has picked up the slack as he leads the team with 12 tackles, including one sack. For the Beavers, middle linebacker Bryant Cornell and outside linebacker Keaton Kristick are tied for second on the team with 12 stops a piece.  Kristick has a co-team high three tackles for loss.  Overall though the linebackers have displayed poor tackling skills which have resulted in big running plays. Neither team's linebackers are having standout seasons.  Push.
DB's	COMMENTS	DB's
	Although the Beaver backfield has yet to record an interception they are yielding just 153 yards through the air, a somewhat deceiving statistic since teams are choosing to run the ball, very successfully, against the Beavs.  Senior cornerback Keenan Lewis turned in a superb game last week deflecting three passes.  The other side of the field is patrolled by Lott Trophy candidate Brandon Hughes while big hitter Al Afalava provides the backup. Hawaii starts an all senior lineup led by Erik Robinson - the team's second leading tackle with 11 stops, including one sack.  Free safety Keao Monteilh has one of the team's two interceptions this year. The Beavers corners have been tested and have passed the tests thus far.
S. Teams	COMMENTS	S. Teams
	UH's Tim Grasso averages an enviable 44.6 yards per punt compared to Johnny Hekker's frightful 26.6 yards per boot. Justin Kahut has made all of two his field goal attempts while Lou Groza candidate Dan Kelly is just 1 of 3. Hawaii's Ryan Mouton averages 21.6 yards per kickoff return while James Rodgers gets 23.2 per return. Hawaii gets edge due to having a better punter.

 

---

Beavers		Warriors
	INTANGIBLES
	A near sellout crowd will greet the Men in Black for the their 2008 home opener.  The Beavers have won 15 straight non-conference home games and are in a must win situation if they hope to salvage their season once again.  The home town crowd coupled with the 15 players from Hawaii on the roster give the Beavs that extra edge.
	PREDICTION
	Beavs win big: Oregon State 41, Hawaii 23