Randy L. Rasmussen

By Nick Daschel | The Oregonian/OregonLive

CORVALLIS – Among the constants during Oregon State’s 2018 football season is a muddy quarterback situation. It’s no different heading into Saturday’s game against California.

It may be as unclear as any week this season.

Conor Blount has started five games, but left during the fourth quarter against Washington State with a shoulder injury. Jake Luton, who started the season opener, has been out for a month with a high ankle sprain.

Luton had a limited role in practice last week and Sunday, coach Jonathan Smith said during his Monday press conference. Blount practiced some last week, and “did a little yesterday” Sunday.

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Smith said he expects Blount to be fine for practice this week, and doesn’t yet know about Luton. But with both recovering from injuries, it opens up the door for the third-stringer, sophomore Jack Colletto.

“Colletto practiced really well yesterday, so he would be the next guy up,” Smith said. “We’ll see where the health is Tuesday and Wednesday and make a solid plan Thursday.”

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Lance Iverson

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More on the injury front

Oregon State is edging closer to the season debut of defensive end Jeromy Reichner, the junior college transfer who could give the Beavers a significant lift upfront. Reichner had a limited role during team portions of practice last week and Sunday, but his status is unclear for Saturday, Smith said.

Cornerback Isaiah Dunn, who hasn’t played since Nevada on Sept. 15, went through Sunday’s workout, but is questionable for the Bears.

Starting receiver Isaiah Hodgins didn’t practice Sunday. He’s been out since sustaining a hamstring injury against Arizona State on Sept. 29.

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David Morris status

Sophomore safety David Morris, one of the league’s top freshmen last season, has yet to play this season, and no timeline for a return to practice. The best-case scenario is Morris appearing sometime during the final four games, thus preserving a redshirt season.

Smith couldn’t say whether Morris might not play this season, calling his situation “a long-term injury.” Morris missed spring practice with a foot injury, then suffered another foot injury during preseason camp.

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Redshirt alert

With six games remaining, 12 of the Beavers’ 27 true freshmen have played in at least one game. Seven freshmen – Jermar Jefferson, Matthew Tago, Isaiah Smalls, John McCartan, Kase Rogers, Isaiah Tufaga, Isaac Hodgins -- have played in more than four games, meaning they are ineligible to redshirt this season.

Smith said a decision to definitely redshirt certain players have been made, “but not that many.” Smith said he could see a number of the 15 players who have yet to see action could get a taste during the final four weeks, probably in a limited role.

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Matt York

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Smith with an idle Saturday

With Oregon State enjoying an open date last Saturday, Smith found himself spending the day as a spectator.

The morning was spent watching his children’s soccer and flag football games.

“I stayed in the corner and cheer it on. Didn’t yell at the ref,” Smith said.

The rest of the day, Smith says he watched Oregon-Washington, USC-Colorado and California-UCLA.

Smith also took in two high school football games last Friday, looking at potential recruits.

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Lance Iverson

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Gadget kickoff return shouldn't have happened

Oregon State pulled off its best kickoff return this season two weeks ago against Washington State, a 57-yard return by Champ Flemings set up by some trickery. The play started when the ball was kicked to the right to Kase Rogers. On the left side of the field was Flemings, who laid down in the end zone. The move worked, as the Cougars took their eye off Flemings. Rogers caught the ball near the goal line, stopped then heaved a cross field lateral pass to Flemings, igniting a long return.

Days after the play, the Pac-12 told Smith not to do that again. When Flemings laid down, he should have been treated like an injured player, and out of the play. Smith didn’t say whether the Pac-12 indicated a penalty should have been called.

“The conference said that wasn’t the right way to go,” Smith said, then smiled and added, “but hey, they didn’t call it.”

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Improving the tackling

One move OSU made during the bye week to improve the eyesore of its defense was to include live tackling for brief periods. Live tackling used to be commonplace in college football practice, but programs have stepped away from live tackling for reasons of injuries, safety and long-term wear and tear on players.

But until the Beavers get some sort of grip on their biggest problem of the season’s first half, their defense will struggle to become effective.

Smith said he thought tackling improved during the bye week in part because of live tackling.

“I don’t think it’s going away,” Smith said. “We’re not going the whole week live, but in small segments. I think it’s helped us.”

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Sean Meagher

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Running game plan

With running back Artavis Pierce close to 100 percent, if not all the way back, Oregon State’s running game should take on an advanced look. For the first time since the season opener, the Beavers will have a healthy Pierce and freshmen Jermar Jefferson – the Pac-12’s leading rusher – ready for action.

Smith says Jefferson and Pierce will likely split time during the first half for California, then they’ll see.

“If the hot hand arises, we’ll go with them,” Smith said.

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OSU athletics

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California and its sloppy ways

The Bears stumble Saturday into Corvallis with a three-game losing streak, thanks in large part to an offense that has committed 14 turnovers during that stretch. It’s a welcome sight for a Beavers defense that has created just one takeaway in three Pac-12 games.

Smith says the Bears’ turnovers problems have been noted by the coaching staff, but won’t significantly change the defensive game plan.

“It does change the game if you can get some,” said Smith, “and we definitely need to get some.”

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Timothy J. Gonzalez

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Jefferson added to Doak Walker list

After running for 865 yards during the first half of the 2018 season, Jefferson on Monday was added to the Doak Walker Award list, an honor given to the nation’s premier running back.

Jefferson ranks third nationally in rushing yards, and touchdowns with 12. Jefferson is one of two freshman on the 66-player Doak Walker list.

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Quotable

Smith, on whether Saturday’s game against California is a must-win, as Beavers attempt to end a 12-game Pac-12 losing streak:

“I kind of feel like every game is a must win game.”