Lyle and His Smile: Moevao Exceeds Expectations, Excites Oregon State Fans

2007 fall camp opened with questions at the quarterback position for the Beavers.  Front runners Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao fought tooth and nail from summer camp through the fall to earn the praise of the coaching staff and ultimately be named the starter entering the season.

Coach Mike Riley gave both sophomores equal opportunity in practice as well as in games. Eventually Canfield won out and was named the starter.

Canfield looks the part, standing 6'4", 225—a stereotypical drop back passer with a strong arm.  Canfield struggled in his first nine starts, throwing 15 INTs to only nine TDs and completing 57 percent of his passes.

OSU's '07 visit to the Coliseum vs. USC did not go well for Canfield.  A cheap shot sidelined OSU's signal caller with a torn labrum on his throwing shoulder.

Enter Lyle Moevao.

The 5'11", 235-pound Hawaii native stepped in with three games left in the season and led the Beavs to wins over the Northwest schools. 

Moevao's first start came versus the Huskies in a late night regionally televised matchup.  Moevao managed the game well and kept the Beavers moving in what turned into a vicious and highly controversial Pac-10 game.

It wasn't so much the win that was talked about after the game—it was the crack back block the smaller Moevao made on UW's 6'5", 260-pound DE Graysen Gunheim. (If you're not familiar with the hit, search YouTube.)

The hit won over OSU fans and players, and Moevao hasn't looked back since.

With Canfield undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, Moevao stepped into the spotlight with a grin as big as his heart and was named OSU's starter. 

Preseason critics were quick to jump on the junior, citing lack of arm strength and size as reasons for concern.

Two INTs versus Stanford—one returned for a touchdown that proved to be the backbreaker—had people wondering if preseason predictions were correct.

Moevao has since quieted all critics after what proved to be a bad loss at Stanford in Week One.

The offseason has proved to be the difference for Lyle.  The QB lost 15 pounds, spent night and day studying film, and now understands and can fully execute OSU's offensive scheme.

The most noticeable change is the newfound accuracy and quick decision making Moevao has managed to work into his game.

In his four games last year (bowl included), Moevao completed 52 percent of his passes, totaling 876 yards.  What was worrisome were the six INTs and only two TDs.

In his first five games in 2008, Moevao has 1,402 yards, which is tops in the Pac-10.  His 280 passing yards per game is second in the Pac-10 to only USC (301 yards/game).  He is also fourth in the conference in passing efficiency at 138.7.

Lyle has thrown 10 TDs and only four INTs.  In a game where ball control is vitally important, Moevao hasn't thrown an interception in his last three games (93 pass attempts).

With time comes knowledge, in life and in football.  Lyle has grasped the offense and is running it with apparent ease.  Audibles that once caused fans to hold their breath and bite off fingernails now excite said fans.

Moevao brings a genuine sense of enthusiasm and love for the game.  TV cameras capture the junior QB with a smile from ear to ear from the opening kick off to the final seconds.

While achievements can be measured by yards, touchdowns, and other infinite statistical categories, Moevao possesses the one intangible that cannot be measured and is more important to success than anything: heart.

As the Beavers enter the bulk of Pac-10 play, Moevao seems poised to lead this team down the stretch.

OSU is again sitting at 2-3, the same mark they posted the previous two years.  However this year seems different.

Close losses to No. 15 Utah and Stanford on the road have the Beaver faithful believing this team is in a better position than the previous two years.

With OSU's monumental upset over USC two weeks ago, they're 1-1 in conference and already have USC out of the way.

With home games against the "tougher" remaining Pac-10 opponents (ASU, UofO, Cal), talk of a Holiday Bowl or even a Rose Bowl has snuck into chat rooms and forums around the Beaver state.

If OSU takes care of business the remainder of the season, count on Moevao being hoisted up onto someone's shoulders after Bowl Selection Day.