CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State has explored the possibility of asking the NCAA to grant quarterback Lyle Moevao another year of eligibility because of a medical hardship.
Moevao has played just briefly this season after having rotator cuff surgery in the offseason.
Coach Mike Riley told reporters on a conference call that such a request, if made, would be a longshot at best. Oregon State tired the same thing with former tight end Joe Newton to no avail.
Moevao is a fifth-year senior who has already used a redshirt year. The medical hardship would mean a sixth year of eligibility.
"If you've already used a redshirt year, they figured you've had five years to get your shot," Riley said.
Moevao remains the Beavers' backup quarterback to Sean Canfield. Redshirt freshman Adam Katz is third.
Canfield was expected to back up Moevao this season, much like last year when the Beavers went 9-4. Moevao threw 19 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions in 11 starts last season, while Canfield started twice and finished with six touchdowns and two picks.
But Moevao, the Pac-10's leading returning passer, did not progress as quickly as possible -- so Canfield got the nod in fall camp.
Riley said that while Moevao has been cleared to play by trainers, he's just not 100 percent.
"He says it feels like there's a string on the end of the ball and someone's pulling it back," Riley said.
HATFIELD INJURED: Micah Hatfield broke his left leg in practice Tuesday when he tripped while running and fell into a group of players.
Hatfield, who is redshirting this season, was taken from the indoor practice field by ambulance.
In other injury news, wide receiver Darrell Catchings won't likely return until mid-November from his high ankle sprain. He still has a chance at a medical redshirt.
Tailback Ryan McCants, who has been nursing a knee injury, should be ready for USC on Oct. 24.
QUIZZ SHOW: Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers received Pac-10 player of the week honors after running for a career-high 189 yards and four touchdowns in the Beavers' 38-28 victory over Stanford.
He also had five catches for 82 yards, giving him 271 all-purpose yards.
"He's one of the best running backs we'll face," Stanford safety Bo McNally said about the 5-foot-7 sophomore known as Quizz. "He's a rare kind of guy. You don't see guys that small who can bring it like he can."
Rodgers, a sophomore, was the Pac-10's offensive player of the year last season as a freshman.
Quizz broke out a 61-yard run, the longest of his career, against the Cardinal when the Beavers used a wildcat formation for the first time this season.
He is leading the Pac-10 in scoring with 78 points on 13 touchdowns, all coming on the ground.
Quizz has never fumbled since he's been at Oregon State.
EXTRA POINTS: Since 2006, Oregon State has gone 24-5 in games played from October through December. Oregon State has won 32 games since 2006, second in the Pac-10 to USC, which has won 38. ... QB Sean Canfield passed for 290 yards against Stanford to put him at fifth on Oregon State's career list with 4,104 yards.
