Notebook

CORVALLIS - Ryan McCants turned in a workman-like performance in Saturday's spring game that will be needed from the starting running back for the Oregon State football team next fall.

The redshirt freshman pounded out 57 yards on 16 carries, and scored on a 2-yard plunge up the middle. He was the most productive of the ball carriers

"It was fun to get out there in a game situation," McCants said. "Our defense is good. There are not going to be a lot of big holes. Sometimes you have to go out and get it."

Rushing yards were hard to come by with an injury-depleted offensive line. However, McCants fought for yardage and broke off a long of 18 yards.

"I thought McCants ran well," Riley said. "Every time he plays he learns something about running the football - that's pretty obvious. He has to get a better feel for the inside zone. As far as running hard and making some of his own yards, I thought he was outstanding."

Nice offense

When teams play against themselves, defenses usually have the edge due to familiarity with the offense. Combine that with the line situation, it was a little bit of a surprise the offense moved the ball so well.

The white team, which featured the first-string offense, defeated the black team that contained the first-string defense 22-3 in the spring game. Overall, it was a closely contested game.

"I liked the flow of the day," Riley said. "They played the game well, and we didn't turn the ball over too much. That was a good thing. They played football, and played within the timeframe of the new 40-second clock. We played hard, and played our (style of) defense."

Quarterback Lyle Moevao was solid, completing 13-for-30 for 226 yards and had a 72-yard touchdown pass to James Rodgers.

"We had some good plays out there," Moevao said. "Early on it was a little shaky. The defense was tough, but we got it rolling and put up some points. I thought we looked great with all the young guys out there and the injuries in the offensive line."

Big leg

Sophomore place-kicker Justin Kahut showed why the coaches have confidence in him replacing Alexis Serna. He was 4-for-4 on field goals, hitting from 42, 50, 55 and 31 yards.

"He got all the leg you would want, and he gets the ball up high," Riley said. "He's a tough-minded guy. I think we've had a lot of confidence in him from the time he got here. We were glad to get him, and he paid his dues behind Alexis, and now it's time to step up."

Kahut played in the Idaho State game last year, and was 3-for-3 in extra points and hit a 38-yard field goal. He was groomed for this season and he says he's ready.

"I felt really good today," Kahut said. "It all came together. I'm getting more confident with every kick. I just have to keep working."

Cope eligible

Due to a little known and relatively new NCAA rule, sophomore place-kicker Tyler Cope is eligible to play this season after transferring from Colorado.

If scholarship players transfer from one Division I program to another, they must sit out a year. However, Cope was never recruited by Colorado or awarded any financial aid.

Due to those technicalities, even though he played on kickoffs last season for the Buffaloes - and made eight tackles - there's a one-time transfer rule exemption for him.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder out of Jesuit High is now in the running to kick. He had his extra-point attempt blocked in the spring game.

Injury update

The only player to suffer an injury was walk-on sophomore offensive lineman Nathan Hannah. He hurt his left knee in the first half and had it wrapped in ice much of the day.

"That's something you hold your breath about," Riley said of injuries. "But we got through the day in pretty good shape."