Beavers' Bernard undergoes surgery.

Byline: Bob Clark The Register-Guard

Yvenson Bernard underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday and his status is in doubt for Oregon State's next game, against Oregon on Dec. 1 at Autzen Stadium.

"It's questionable at best for his return in time for the Civil War," OSU coach Mike Riley said. "We feel better about his chances to play in our bowl game. But, we're talking about Yvenson Bernard, so I won't rule out anything at this point."

If Bernard doesn't play, it means the OSU offense will line up against Oregon without its top receiver (Sammie Stroughter, bruised kidney), top running back and possibly its No. 1 quarterback (Sean Canfield, shoulder). Also in question is guard Jeremy Perry, a preseason All-America candidate who suffered a broken leg in the season opener, returned to play one game but was held out last week.

Riley wasn't ready to rule Bernard out, explaining that "if (the injury) is what they think it is, he will have a chance.

"We'll make a group decision later on. I know what his decision will be.''

The Beavers (7-4 overall, 5-3 in the Pac-10) have assured themselves of a bowl berth, but the date of the game isn't known. Presumably, Bernard would be ready to play even if it was the earliest possible postseason game, the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 22.

Bernard played only the first half of OSU's 52-17 win at Washington State last Saturday.

He took himself out of the game, and had trainers look at his right knee on the sideline. He went back in for one series, and then returned to the bench for further examination at which time he was put on a trainer's motorized cart and taken to the dressing room.

The decision to have surgery was made after an MRI apparently revealed damage to the knee, though OSU officials would not be specific on the procedure or the injury, citing privacy laws on students.

Bernard also missed the entire USC game after suffering a shoulder injury in the first half of the previous game against Stanford.

Though he has missed the equivalent of two games, Bernard is the third-leading rusher in the Pac-10 with 1,037 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has moved up to second on OSU's career rushing list and 10th on the Pac-10's career list with 3,685 yards after gaining 74 yards on 17 carries at WSU.

In his place, backups Matt Sieverson, Clinton Polk and Patrick Fuller combined for 115 yards against the Cougars.

"They all had some good runs," Riley said of that game. "That (touchdown) run by Clinton was outstanding.

"I was proud of those guys. They ran with good vision, and did a nice job."

Riley said the Beavers didn't need to alter their offense very much against the Cougars, even without Bernard in the second half.

"Both Matt and Clinton have some particular strengths," Riley said. "It's important to be able to substitute like we did at quarterback and still run your stuff ... it's nice to not have to lose your base" plays in the offense.