Hail Riley!

Oregon State football head coach Mike Riley

On keys of the team's turnaround

"Well I don't think it was anything dramatic, we just played better. I think in all three phases we improved and we took better care of the ball and we just did some of those little things that help you win games instead of those things that make you lose. We've gotten better. I've got a good group of guys that work hard and so that's kind of where we are right now. We had a bye and that felt good and now we'll see what the second half of the season brings."

On Jacquizz and James Rodgers

"Oh they're playing great. They are two great kids I just love them. They are hard workers, good guys and obviously very talented and have meant a lot to our team and to our program in general. We're excited about them and about what they've done. They're just fun. They're the last two guys out every day and they're out there playing some kind of game with the ball boys. They just have fun doing this and both good kids."

On status of quarterback Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao

"Well you know I'm really proud of both of these guys. They've both had great moments in our program and they've both had tough times. It's funny because it's almost a reversal of a year ago when Sean was hurt at the start and Lyle took over and had a good year, and then he gets hurt and Sean comes in and wins some games for us at the end. And then Lyle is just now getting healthy. He's physically able to play and has been practicing for probably about three weeks now full speed, kind of just working on getting back into it and getting his arm strength up. Sean probably played his best two games as a Beaver the last two games, very efficient, very decisive and productive. He's thrown for a good percentage and has taken care of the ball and is getting rid of the ball more quickly in the last couple of weeks. They've both played big roles for us and I think we're getting close to the point where we'll have two healthy guys available to play."

On status of defense and Pac-10 leader Keaton Kristrick

"Keaton's really a good player, a great guy. You met him at the media day, he's the captain of our team and kind of leads that group. We relatively inexperienced along the front, and we've grown, we've gotten better. I think as the season's progressed and we're starting to get a better production up front. In our new secondary this year, we graduated all four guys from a year ago which was probably the scariest thing in the world for me going in. These guys have competed and I think have played some good ball and hopefully will get better and better as the year goes on. The defense has grown and we're doing a good job generally against the run, not always but generally. We've been better. It's a good hard working group that I hope and I think will get better."

On Beavers giving Trojans trouble every year

"Oh I don't know, you know it takes a great effort. I have a ton of respect for the school and the program and the work Pete has done and that's just personal. I think that it's either going to bring out this best in you or bury you and I'm just proud we've competed well and there have been good football games in general. I think the whole USC deal with the last few years has made everybody in the conference either have to rise up or fall way behind and it's been good for everybody. Its one of those deals that you got to go year by year and you can't rely on anything in the past. We just look at it as a great challenge and a great opportunity for our team to get better and grow."

On thoughts of USC and this week's game

"Well they're very impressive to watch as we study them on tape. I think they're defense as always is really, really strong and very aggressive. I'm very impressed with their front, they don't give people many breaks. They're high energy and really hard to block, and that's going to be a key factor in the game. If you can ever get to it and throw, their secondary is really aggressive and good too, so there's all sorts of factors there that are big. Offensively, they've got that balance going with a really good running game. I've really, really been impressed with Matt Barkley. I thought in the last game he played with a ton of poise, made some really, really big throws that were, you know they had some people around them and he was pacing in the pocket. All those parts are real and I think they look obviously like a really good team."

On status of offense

"I've been pleased with their growth. We have a new left side over there and I think they're good players and they have gotten better every week. That's why our team I think offensively has gotten better the last couple of weeks. They've done a good job of being able to utilize their ability and compete and play. That's been, along with our secondary, probably our biggest project with this year's team. It's a good one though, because it's a young group and I think they'll grow during this year and I think they'll be good down the road too. I'm excited about it but I know the pitfalls of it, because that's a hard place to be especially this week."

On status of Cameron Collins and defensive backfield

"I like that group a lot and I think that the playing that it had has been really good for them. There's nothing like playing and competing in the games. Him and Lance Mitchell and Suaesi Tuimaunei, that's a pretty good hand and all those guys have played safety for us. They have, I think, grown each week and I'm really proud of them that way. They're new starters and they played on special teams a year ago so they got time left to continue to develop a lot. We're looking forward to that growth."

On what has enabled Jacquizz Rodgers' success

"I think it starts with his ability. He's a good player and he's got a great nose for the goal line too and we'll obviously give him the ball and let him do his thing. You know I don't think, there's no magic to it. He's a good player, a good runner, and when we can get some good blocks for him, he's got a good chance to score."