Beavers built to score points

LAST IN A SERIES » It looks like another year where Oregon State will try to make up for its shortcomings on defense with high-powered offense.

The Beavers return nine starters on offense, including the entire line, coached by former Hawaii assistant Mike Cavanaugh.

Sophomore left guard Jeremy Perry is the youngest, but he might be the best. The 6-2, 313-pound Kahuku graduate garnered freshman All-America honors last fall. Tavita Thompson, a Saint Louis graduate and another of 10 Hawaii high school alumni on the roster, is the No. 2 man behind left tackle Adam Koets.

Joe Newton is back after missing all of last year with injury, and could be one of the best tight ends nationwide.

That's all good news for underrated tailback Yvenson Bernard. He rushed for 1,321 yards and 13 touchdowns last year and is on the watch list for the Doak Walker Award.

Bernard picked it right up Thursday night, carrying for 124 yards and two touchdowns in a 56-17 romp over Eastern Washington.

Newton scored on a 21-yard pass from Matt Moore and Anthony Wheat-Brown on a 35-yarder, also from Moore.

Wide receiver Mike Hass is done after winning the Biletnikoff Award last year, so Moore and coach Mike Riley will have to continue to develop more receiving threats as the opposition gets tougher.

There are seven returning starters on defense, but the Beavers lost defensive end Joe Rudulph, whom they expected to contribute behind starter Joe Lemma. Rudulph was involved in several fights and other incidents that led to his departure.

Lemma and tackle Ben Siegert have nearly 50 starts between them, but there isn't much more experience up front.

Returning linebackers include Andy Darkins in the middle and Derrick Doggett on the strong side.

The young secondary is battle-tested, though, starting with senior strong safety Sabby Piscitelli. Another Kahuku grad, Al Afalava, joins him at free safety. Keenan Lewis and Brandon Hughes both return as starting cornerbacks.

Kicker Alex Serna won the Lou Groza Award after making 23 of 28 field goals, including 15 in a row and a game-winner against Boise State. Serna also made six field goals for all 18 points in the win over Washington.

Sammie Stroughter handles both punt and kickoff returns.