From The Backfield With Ken Simonton

Visit www.osubeavers.com for more news about Ken Simonton and Oregon State.

Dec. 16, 1999

THE PAC-10 VS. THE WAC: "The PAC-10 has the advantage, it's the best conference in the country. The critics can say what they want, yes we've had our ups and downs, but overall, the PAC-10 has been more consistent. I would take my show on the road against anybody."

RUNNING AGAINST HAWAII: "I think we will run the ball well against Hawaii, especially in certain situations up the middle because of the way they do things. But you should never buy too much into what you see about a team on film; we can't take they lightly because sometimes the film will lie. Oregon played a lot better than they look on film and Georgia Southern as well."

THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SEASON: "The highlight of the season is this free trip to Hawaii. Hawaii was actually the last place I wanted to be on Christmas but now that we're going I'm going to enjoy it. The season would have been a complete waste if we didn't make it to a bowl game. I'm pleased at the way we rebounded from those first Pac-10 losses but I'm still not 100% satisfied with the outcome of the season. I guess you take what you can get and be content."

WHY OREGON STATE? "Mike Riley, if he had of stayed at USC, that's where I would have been. There was still some doubt and stress about coming here but I really liked Mike and I trusted him so I concluded that this was the best place."

CHANGING OF THE GUARD: "It was very stressful and tense couple of weeks when I learned that Mike Riley was leaving. He was my main reason for being here in the beginning. So I was strongly considering leaving if they didn't bring another good coach into the program. I first heard of Dennis Erickson when he was coaching at Miami because there was so much hype surrounding the team. Then he went to Seattle and I became more aware of the 'man'. Once I heard Erickson's name mentioned, I knew something good was going happen. Once he committed to Oregon State, I was at ease and had no doubts about staying."

ERICKSON'S STAFF: "Erickson's staff is more relaxed, they let us talk more and get excited. Where as Riley was more of - lets stay calm and focused. We can be ourselves with Erickson's staff, go out and have fun and play ball. This difference helped a lot. Erickson's staff has made a lot of things easier for me. Coach Yarber does a great a good job; he makes it easy to understand the plays and film. He's still young so he can physically show me how things should look. When I first got here this football team didn't have a hunger for nothing. The attitude was - we're used to losing and so be it. But Erickson put it back on the players, he holds us accountable. I like it here at Oregon State; it's a good situation. I am blessed to have worked under two of the best coaches in the game especially in the college ranks. It's a great feeling."

MY JOB: "The tailback's job in this offense is to be the trendsetter. I have to be the sparkplug. I just want to bring fun to the game and fun is winning."

BY THE WAY: "It's cold out here, too cold for my tropical blood. Another reason why I'm looking forward Hawaii."