So you're head coach Mike Riley of the Oregon St. Beavers. You just suffered one of the most embarrassing losses in program history when you fell apart to tiny Sacramento State at home in Corvallis. You have a quarterback controversy brewing because starter Ryan Katz looked pretty atrocious against an FCS defense. And now you're headed up to Camp Randall to face up with the top contenders for the Big Ten title, the eighth-ranked Wisconsin Badgers.
So how can your life get any better? Paul Buker of the Oregonian tells you just how.
So when freshman sensation tailback Malcolm Agnew felt a pop in his problematic right hamstring Tuesday, there was a suspicion we would see Agnew in street clothes this morning, limping into practice.
And sure enough, No. 35 has been shut down.
"I would term him as doubtful,'' said Riley.
Riley said Agnew was held out of "part of a practice'' in camp because his leg felt tight, "but yesterday, he pulled it.''
Well that's just great for the Beavers. If you haven't noticed, behind Agnew for running back at Oregon State is...well, almost nothing. Greyshirt freshman Terron Ward could be next in line. Ward didn't have get a single run carry in Saturday's game. Then there's Jordan Jenkins, who mustered up a grand five yards on three carries. After that we've got Jovan Stevenson and Ryan McCants; McCants just hasn't been able to live up to the promise that he showed early on in his career.
Oregon State's got running issues, which should only compound matters for Mike Riley when it comes to how well he can utilize Ryan Katz this Saturday.
For more on Oregon State football, head to Building the Dam.