Cody Vaz will start for Oregon St. vs. Arizona St.
Mike Riley announced on Monday that Cody Vaz will again start at quarterback for the No. 11 (BCS) Beavers for Saturday for the 7:30 kickoff against Arizona State at Reser Stadium.
Vaz replaced the injured Sean Mannion earlier this month for wins at BYU and home with Utah.
Mannion got the start in last Saturday's 20-17 loss at Washington. After Mannion threw four interceptions, Vaz was brought during the fourth quarter and led a touchdown drive.
To hear from Riley, Vaz & Mannion, click on the youtube video tabs below.
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Oregon State coach Mike Riley has decided to start junior Cody Vaz at quarterback Saturday against Arizona State.
Vaz had started two games for the No. 13 Beavers while starter Sean Mannion recovered from arthroscopic knee surgery. Mannion returned Saturday to start against Washington, but threw four interceptions before Vaz replaced him in a 20-17 loss.
"Obviously, it's one of those things that's not easy," Riley said. "You look at the integrity of the competition and you try to make a decision for the team that's right this minute. We think Cody's playing a little bit better right now and deserves the start."
Before he injured his left knee, Mannion was averaging more than 339 yards in passing with seven touchdowns in four games.
"It's a little disappointing, but at the same time I know it's about the team, it's not about any one player," Mannion said.
Vaz, who hadn't started a game since high school, stepped in during Mannion's recovery and led the Beavers to a 42-24 win at BYU, and a 21-7 victory at home against Utah.
The victory over the Utes meant bowl eligibility for the Beavers, who went 3-9 last season. Last Saturday's loss to the Huskies was Oregon State's first this season.
"We're supporting each other, we're both in this together. I told him that after the game on Saturday," Vaz said about the situation with Mannion. "We're both each other's biggest fan. No matter who is playing, we're both going to be on the sidelines trying to help each other out. Whatever it takes to win."
In all honesty, Mannion might have had 4 INTs, but he had probably 4-5 balls that could have (should have) been INTs, but were dropped by UW. Mannion simply should have been replaced by Vaz about the start of the 3rd quarter, not as late as Vaz was put in.
Riley would rather look good and lose then look bad and win. Saturday wasnt fair to Manion or to Vaz. Manion had no business starting the game. HE JUST HAD KNEE SURGERY!!! Vaz proved he could start and kick butt. Lets see how the team responds this week..
Not sure what is wrong with Riley...Vaz should've been brought in before the end of the first quarter. By the end of the first quarter I had severe doubts that the Beavers could win...Manion just wasn't himself for the whole game. Keeping him in literally cost the Beavers the game and the chance to set the college record of 7 straight wins. I think that possibly the whole team felt defeated from the start with Manion in the game.
Tough call.