Beavers moving ahead.

Byline: Bob Clark The Register-Guard

CORVALLIS - It figured that Taylor Kavanaugh would play an important role for Oregon State this season. Those holds on place kicks can be crucial.

But Kavanaugh's role figures to increase now, with the growing sense that standout receiver and punt returner Sammie Stroughter won't be back playing for the Beavers any time soon. Minus Stroughter, Kavanaugh becomes the primary punt returner for the Beavers in his sophomore season.

The situation is similar for junior Chris Johnson, who has taken over the starting spot at split end in the two weeks that Stroughter has been absent from practices.

`It's definitely a larger load but I don't feel any pressure or anything,' Johnson said. `I just feel it's an opportunity to step up and make the best of my opportunity and make plays.

`Sammie is like a brother to me and so with his situation right now, we're hoping for the best and that he gets better. At the same time, I'm trying to do the best I can with the opportunity I have right now. It kind of goes both ways.'

Stroughter issued a statement Tuesday through the OSU media services office, saying he hasn't practiced for two weeks because of his grief over the deaths in the past year of two family members, `who were important male role models in my life,' and the passing this summer of former Beavers' assistant coach Jim Gilstrap, the primary recruiter of Stroughter out of high school.

`These losses have taken my entire family by storm and the grief from these incidents has affected each one of us differently,' Stroughter continued. `It has been the decision of my immediate family and I that I take whatever time needed to get over what I am personally experiencing due to the sudden changes in my life.

`As you may know, my walk with Christ is strong; I know that He will get my family and I through this difficult season. 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Phil 4:16).'

The decision by Stroughter and OSU to release a statement apparently was prompted by widespread rumors about his absence, primarily on Internet message boards, with seemingly no limit to the outlandish speculation.

Stroughter attended Tuesday's practice in Reser Stadium for about an hour. He arrived about 45 minutes into the workout and left 30 minutes before it ended. He did not speak with reporters but did talk with teammates while he watched drills.

Riley said after practice that he supported Stroughter's statement and `we will look forward to his return.'

Asked if there was any indication of when that return might be, Riley said `there's no parameters on that.'

The Beavers open the season Aug. 30 against Utah. Stroughter isn't going to be back by then, and whether he plays this season has to be in question. Since he hasn't used his redshirt year, Stroughter could return in 2008 for his final season of eligibility.

`I've hung out with him a few nights and I'm not too concerned. I know where his mind is,' said senior tailback Yvenson Bernard. `I feel like he has to do what he has to do.

`We miss him, that's a loss. Sammie is a human being and things like that happen. This is college football and we go through problems of life and we deal with them differently.'

On the field, the Beavers will be minus their leading receiver from last season, when Stroughter compiled 74 receptions for 1,293 yards and five touchdowns. He also returned three punts for touchdowns, and averaged 15.7 yards on his 30 returns.

But Stroughter went into the 2006 season with only five receptions in his first two seasons, and look what happened. With that in mind, Johnson's four receptions last season maybe aren't an indication what he can do as a regular at split end, where a string of Beavers have excelled.

`People should expect me to make plays and don't have to worry that it's going to be a big dropoff,' Johnson said. `I'm going to do my job. That's all I can do.

`Everybody in the receiving corps can make plays. We'll spread it out.'

As the punt returner, there's no one to share the assignment with Kavanaugh ... unless he doesn't work out. He did return two punts last season, for a long of six yards, which makes him the most experienced option.

There are going to be a lot of eyes watching as that first Utah punt is falling out of the evening sky and Kavanaugh will be there waiting for it.

`I feel like I catch the ball really well,' Kavanaugh said. `I just try to be solid back there and make plays and make great decisions.

`I don't really feel there's any extra pressure. There will probably be a little bit more excitement if I go in there and make a play but I'm sure it's going to feel the same to me.'

Johnson and Kavanaugh expressed some split emotions with their current status, which is to be understandable. They're not only teammates but friends of Stroughter.

`I hate it more than anybody to see Sammie absent but he helps me out. I support him and he supports me,' Kavanaugh said. `It was great to seem him out here (at practice) and I support him in every way possible and I know he does for me, too.'

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