There's No "I" in Blog: Starter: Lyle Moevao

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Starter: Lyle Moevao

Who is he? Lyle Moevao is a senior quarterback for the Oregon State Beavers. After starting for most of the 2008 season, an off-season rotator cuff surgery forced Moevao to begin the 2009 season as the backup to another senior QB, Sean Canfield. With Moevao under center in 2008, the Beavers were one win away from the Rose Bowl. After finally getting himself healthy enough to play, Moevao recently suffered a foot injury that required yet another surgery. He'll be out for the rest of the year. Beavers coach Mike Riley has said the team will pursue a medical redshirt for Moevao to get another year of eligibility, but the chances of that happening are very slim.

Why do we like him? At 5'11", 225 pounds, Moevao has never been your typical QB prospect, but he's exactly the type of athlete you want at QB. He's a leader in every way, and personally, I feel his quarterbacking skills have always been far too underrated. In last year's Sun Bowl, he led the Beavers to a 3-0 win over Pitt (obviously with a lot of help from the Beavers' defense), despite missing star running back Jacquizz Rodgers. Before his off-season surgery, reports came out that his doctor was surprised Moevao could even throw the ball at all in that game. This year, he's given way to Sean Canfield, who I admit I never had much confidence in. Canfield is having a great season though (1,734 yards, 11 TDs, and a 140.98 QB rating) and seems to be getting much better every game -- his performance at USC has officially made me a Canfield believer. Canfield has repeatedly credited Moevao with helping him become a better leader. Despite getting on the field for only one play this year, Moevao can always be spotted on the sideline with a huge smile and is always the first person on the field to get both the offensive and defensive units fired up. Playing or not, he seems able to bring out the best of every player. No "I" in Blog also loves football players who make big blocks, especially QBs, because there are very few things that can get a team more fired up than a huge QB block. That being said, here's my favorite Moevao highlight:

*Photo courtesy of Greg Keene via Creative Commons License

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