SCRIMMAGE ONE: Defense forces six turnovers

SATURDAY'S SCRIMMAGE saw the defense force six turnovers and allow 20 points in the 97-play officiated practice at Reser Stadium.

OSU quarterbacks dealt with pressure in the pocket throughout the day -- Matt LaGrone, Mana Rosa, Gabe Miller and Latu Moala each recorded "sacks".

And more could have been called if the quarterbacks had been fair game.

“We were disrupted a lot,” Riley said. “The bright spot was the hard running of all three running backs. I loved that. I thought that was a good sign for the Beavers, how those three kids ran.”

Redshirt freshman Ryan Katz effectively moved the offense on the second possession of the day on a 10-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in Jordan Jenkins 14-yard touchdown plunge. Jenkins, who had a phenomenal spring, has seen limited reps during fall ball but burst back onto the scene today leading the Beavers with 61 yards on 11 carries. Jenkins also led the offense with six catches for 60 yards.

Katz led the offense’s other touchdown drive as well, a 9-play drive that ended in a 9-yard strike to a sliding Jordan Bishop in the back of the end zone. But Katz didn’t go unscathed when on his second series, he had a pass knocked away from the intended receiver to linebacker Keo Camat who returned the interception to the 1-yard line.

“I thought there was evident speed on defense, lots of big plays defensively,” head coach Mike Riley said. “I thought the defensive surge up front was awesome with Kevin (Frahm), Ben (Terry), Matt (LaGrone) and Gabe Miller. I think it was impressive. The interior was about the same. I was impressed with the aggressiveness defensively and the turnovers and the big plays. Offensively, of course, you can’t have the turnovers.”

In addition to Camat’s interception and run, freshman linebacker Devin Unga picked off a pass and rumbled more than 40 yards before being brought down inside the 10-yard line. Junior safety Suaesi Tuimaunei had the first pick of the day, grabbing a pass from Sean Canfield at the goal line before returning it to the 25. Also making interceptions were true freshmen Rashaad Reynolds and Sean Martin. Kameron Krebs recovered a botched exchange between the quarterback and center for the other turnover.