MONDAY, add OSU football:

I assumed coach Riley had heard about what Nebraska All-America (and Heisman finalist) Ndamukong Suh had said about Oregon State.

During a radio interview last week, Suh said matter-of-factly that he almost transferred to OSU. He said that if the struggling Nebraska program hadn't fired Bill Callahan in 2007, "I'd probably be at Oregon State right now.''

"Wow,'' said Riley.

"We tried to recruit him real hard.''

On the prospect of the 6-4, 300-pound Suh - who played at Portland's Grant High School - being on the same defensive line with Stephen Paea, Riley blurted out, "oh my God! It would have been unbelievable. We were just talking about that the other day.''

Ex-OSU defensive backs coach and newly-hired Portland State coach Nigel Burton was the point man when the Beavers were pursuing Suh.

"We went right down to the wire on that thing,'' said Riley.

"In the end, I think he wanted to go explore. ... we recruited him for a good year, right up until the January home visit. I remember driving up and being at his house. I really enjoyed being around the family.''

Riley said the OSU staff has followed Suh from a distance.

"A Heisman candidate. That is pretty special,'' said Riley.

"Really, we're proud of him. He's from our state, and he's done well.''

- PB