Everything's cool in OSU quarterback contest.

Byline: Bob Rodman The Register-Guard

CORVALLIS - Some things remain a bit unsettled in the Oregon State football camp this spring.

Challenges continue with establishing a consistent and reliable wide receiver corps.

Concerns linger, too, with how strengthened a weak secondary has become, how the new set of linebackers will handle the brunt of the defensive responsibilities and how the latest crop of defensive tackles will harvest opposing offenses.

But at least one thing does seem certain just days before Saturday's 1 p.m. intrasquad game at Reser Stadium and the conclusion to spring drills.

There is no quarterback controversy. Not yet, anyway.

Matt Moore, the one-time UCLA quarterback who is a senior in his second and final fling with the Beavers, "is definitely our starter," OSU coach Mike Riley repeated for the umpteenth time this spring.

That, however, does not deter from the continuous fight for the job, and dead center in the middle of that ring with Moore and junior Ryan Gunderson is Sean Canfield, who midway through spring practice moved past Gunderson and began quarterbacking the No. 2 offensive unit.

"We've got to co-exist with each other," Canfield said, "but there definitely is competition."

On an off the field.

"Whether we're on the golf course, playing pingpong or competing for the starting job, we're competing," Canfield said.

He is a 6-foot-4, 228-pound kid with all the surfer characteristics you'd ever want. He was born in La Jolla, Calif., and is a resident of Carlsbad, Calif., a city of more than 70,000 on the coastline north of San Diego.

Canfield is a southpaw with a reputation for a strong arm and an "everything's cool" approach to life, including his job as a quarterback.

He was an all-everything athlete during his high school days when he threw for 5,165 yards and 42 touchdowns at Carlsbad High, where his early graduation in 2005 enabled him to arrive at OSU that spring.

Canfield opted for Oregon State, he said, because Riley "is a mellow guy, a great coach but doesn't want your life to be all about football."

Last season, Canfield was relegated to third-string status and eventually donned a red shirt, running the scout team. It was a frustrating time but equally valuable.

"I learned a lot," said the tanned 19-year-old, "learned what it takes to be a quarterback, learned to be more comfortable with the offense and how to talk to the other players. But the biggest improvement has been knowing the playbook.

"I know what I'm doing and I'm trying to get better."

Canfield has had his good days and his bad ones this spring, as have Moore and Gunderson. A well-crafted pass here, a pick there. The right read on one play, the wrong one on another.

"There's a lot more to being a quarterback than just dropping back and throwing the football," said Danny Langsdorf, Oregon State's offensive coordinator who also coaches the quarterbacks.

"You've got to be able to run the offense, lead the team, get people lined up correctly, call the plays, send the receivers in the right direction, be sharp in the cadence.

"Last year, he was pretty wide-eyed. He's improved, and we've thrown a little bit more at him. He's made some rookie mistakes."

In two scrimmages this spring, the redshirt freshman has completed 13-of-27 passes for 143 yards, thrown for two touchdowns and been intercepted twice.

"A ton of repetitions on decision making is the key for him," Riley said. "His throwing is great, and he definitely is improving."

Moore, who threw for 2,711 yards and 11 touchdowns but was picked off 19 times during last year's 5-6 season for OSU, is 18-of-39 passing for 162 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Gunderson is 12-of-19 passing for 169 yards, one pick and no touchdowns.

"We push each other, and Sean and Ryan are right there," Moore said.

"I think all three of us have improved," said Gunderson, who drew the starting job in last season's Civil War loss because of an injured knee Moore sustained a week earlier.

There are reasons, Langsdorf said, why Moore is the starter.

"Matt has a pretty good command of the offense and has the most playing experience," Langsdorf said. "But Sean is physically the most talented - he can make all the throws - but he has a ways to go when it comes to running the show.

"Gunderson probably is the smartest but does not have as much experience and talent. They all have their strengths and weaknesses."

And there are reasons why the Beavers want their quarterbacks - all of them - to strengthen their strengths.

Oregon State last season had more rushing touchdowns (17) than passing ones (13) for the first time since 2000. The Beavers also threw 23 interceptions last year, just seven off the OSU single-season record.

"We can play any of the three now," Langsdorf said. "Each of them can run the offense."

Each wants the starting job.

"Matt's No. 1 right now," Canfield said. "The coaches decide that. Wherever it falls, it falls. Whatever happens, happens."

Everything, he seemed to be saying, is cool.

CAPTION(S):

Oregon State's Sean Canfield has moved up to the second-team quarterback behind incumbent Matt Moore.