CORVALLIS -- Cory Hall entered the Valley Football Center on Monday afternoon on two hours of sleep, less than usual even during a rivalry week typically dominated by extensive game planning and recruiting.

The Oregon State interim football coach spent the morning watching film in the waiting room of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and handed off the duty of running the weekly players' meeting to team chief of staff Zach Nyborg.

At 8:05 a.m., Hall's wife, Sarah, gave birth to Isaiah-Bernard Hall. The newborn boy, named after his late grandfather and her late father, measured 22 inches and weighed eight pounds and four ounces.

According to Hall, Isaiah-Bernard was the smallest of his eight children upon birth (he and Sarah have four together).

"He's got some growing to do," Hall said. "I was calling him Megatron and he was more like Bumblebee."

Sleep deprivation aside, Hall said the birth of his son this week would not impact his preparation as the Beavers gear up for their season finale Saturday (4 p.m.) at Oregon looking to snap a nine-game skid.

"The first opportunity I could, I got back here," Hall said.

Cory Hall poses Monday morning with his newborn son, Isaiah-Bernard Hall. (Photo courtesy of Cory Hall)

THOMAS TYNER

Hall was asked about OSU senior running back Thomas Tyner, the former Oregon Duck who will be a rare crossover player in the Civil War rivalry. Tyner missed two games early in the year with hamstring and hip injuries, but has developed into the Beavers' second-rusher behind fellow Oregon native Ryan Nall.

"You see that he is a next level back," Hall said of Tyner. "... Depending on what he decides to do, I think the sky is the ceiling for Thomas Tyner."

Tyner (56 carries, 274 yards, three touchdowns) has played three seasons in five years due to his medical retirement before joining OSU. He will have the chance to appeal to the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility.

Hall did not tip his hand but said he had "heard rumblings" about what Tyner may do and that he would give the running back his list of pros and cons after the season.

"I try not to apply pressure because I need to sit down with him when it's all said and done, just like I do with everyone on a personal level," Hall said.

Read more about Tyner's impending decision here.

MEMORIES OF THE 2016 CIVIL WAR

This will be Hall's second Civil War. The first came last season when he was exclusively the OSU cornerbacks coach. The Beavers won 34-24 at Reser Stadium, breaking an eight-game losing streak to Oregon that dated back to 2007.

"Don't think for one minute that Oregon has forgot about that," he said.

Hall said he was confident going into the 2016 game but had "knots in my stomach" as kickoff neared due to the magnitude. Once rain started to fall in the second half, he said his confidence grew even as the Beavers trailed by 10 points.

"I remember seeing that our sideline was jumping around and we didn't have raincoats on and then I saw the fancy Nike Duck raincoats on," he said. "And I remember thinking, 'We're going to beat them.' They're not prepared for these elements."

Unlike this season, when Hall moved to the sideline, he watched the victory from the press box and said the enthusiasm was overwhelming.

"When (the win) happened, I think I almost jumped through the window," a laughing Hall said. "I've done that a couple of times where I've hit my head on the glass up there because I thought it was open."

STOPPING ROLLS ROYCE

Hall said the OSU defensive plan for stopping the Oregon offense will be no different now that quarterback Justin Herbert has returned from a broken collarbone. The sophomore went 14 of 21 for 235 yards, one touchdown and one interception Saturday as the Ducks beat Arizona 48-28.

Before all else, Hall said the Beavers needed to contain UO senior running back Royce Freeman.

"Most importantly, we got to stop Royce," Hall said. "He's at a remarkable milestone already at this point in his career. That's what the game plan will be."

Freeman has 408 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 68 carries in three career games against the Beavers. He needs one more rushing touchdown to match the Pac-12 record (59) set by former Oregon State running back Ken Simonton.

"He's a powerful back," Hall said. "He's fast and he can go zero to 60 and get there quickly. How long has Royce been there? What is this his 10th season? ... He's a Sunday NFL running back. Obviously, his post-college playing career looks bright."

CALLING ON STEVEN JACKSON

Hall looked directly at a camera and asked for former OSU great Steven Jackson to come address the team before the Civil War.

"Where are you at Steven?" Hall asked. "I'm going to need you to come talk to the team. That would be perfect. You have my number."

In addition to ending the year on a high note, Hall also discussed the immediate impact the Civil War could have on recruiting.

"There are some recruits that we have committed that also have Oregon offers," he said. "You got to realize that it's bigger than you. ... There are a lot of things that this game can affect."

SOME RIVALRY

Hall's college rivalry while at Fresno State was against San Jose State. Hall played at FSU from 1995-98 amid a 12-game win streak for the Bulldogs in the series.

"It was almost laughable," Hall joked. "'This is the rivalry? OK.'"

Coincidentally, OSU tight ends coach Dave Baldwin was the San Jose State head coach for the final two years Hall spent at Fresno State.

UCLA FIRES MORA



Hall referred to the UCLA decision Sunday to fire Jim Mora amid a 5-6 season, mentioning former players of his who were "down" about that decision. Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi played for Hall at Clovis North High School and Mora coached Hall when he was a safety with the Atlanta Falcons in 2004.

MIKE PARKER EXPECTS TO RETURN

Oregon State broadcaster Mike Parker returned to work Monday after undergoing a medical procedure last week. He did not call the OSU-Arizona State game Saturday but said he was feeling well enough to work the Civil War from Autzen Stadium.

-- Danny Moran