The Mannion file: Summer’s focus on accuracy to be put to the test

By James Day

Not every college student gets the summer off. Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion, whose family lives in Silverton, spent just one night at home during the summer.

Why?

With the Beavers coming off an uncharacteristically poor season Mannion and his teammates put their noses to the grindstone and stayed in Corvallis working out in an effort to sweat away the sting of a 3-9 campaign, OSU’s worst since 1997.

“I would have loved to get back to Silverton more, but my focus was on getting ready for camp,” Mannion said. “The only way to address that is to stay here. We have great facilities, the whole team is here. And I just love the whole college atmosphere.”

Mannion, then a redshirt freshman, took over the quarterback role early in the 2011 season, a surprising move given that the Beavers returned starter Ryan Katz. Katz and Mannion shared time in the stunning opening loss to lower-division Sacramento State and a game the following week at Wisconsin. But after that the job was Mannion’s.

The 6-5, 212-pounder completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,328 yards and 16 touchdowns. But he also threw 18 interceptions. That’s a number that he says he is working diligently to change.

“Accuracy and decision-making,” he said when asked where he is looking to make strides this season. “There is a lot of room for improvement. I worked all summer. I looked at film. I worked on my footwork. I’ve got a long way to go.”

A key workout partner during the summer was Beavers veteran receiver Markus Wheaton, who caught 73 passes for 986 yards and rushed for 190 more yards on the OSU’s famous fly sweep.

“He’s a fourth-year player,” said Mannion of Wheaton. “He knows everything there is to know about the offense. He’s been invaluable to me, almost like an instructor.”

At a recent practice at the Beavers’ remodeled Prothro Field complex Mannion threw pass after pass to Wheaton and the other OSU receivers: flares, crosses, outs, streaks.

“We’re trying give more focus to the details,” said Mannion. “We have to get the plays down. If you run the same play 20 or 30 times in practice you know it and learn it. We want to make sure everything is right on each play.”

Watching from the shade outside the adjacent Truax Indoor Center was Mannion’s father John, the football coach at Silverton High School.

“One of the nice things about Sean being here is that being just an hour away I can come down and watch practice,” said John. “These are great practices to watch. As a coach I can always see things to improve what I’m doing.”

Coach Mannion also is happy to be in the shadows watching.

“I know how difficult it is to play at this level,” he said. “Sean won’t be getting any critiques from me, just listening and support.”

The elder Mannion is convinced that his son, whom he coached in high school in Pleasanton, Calif., made the right college choice.

“I’m really impressed with OSU,” he said. “My wife and I feel great about the coaches. It’s important who you are turning your kid over to … the values that are being taught.

“I’m very proud of Sean. He’s really worked hard for everything he’s gotten. He’s consistently trying to improve himself here and take care of things he can control. He’s excited. He loves the whole atmosphere here. I’m hoping the team can have success on the field.”

No argument with Sean there.

“We’re extremely confident,” he said. “Our work ethic is excellent. We know we’re doing all we can. The attitude has been great from the start. We’re leaving no stone unturned and doing things we need to do to get better.”

Expectations are high in Corvallis, despite last season’s problems.

“Our goal is to win the Pac-12 and play in the Rose Bowl,” Mannion said. “We know it won’t be easy. Every week is a dogfight in the league. “We’re up to the challenge. We’re ready for it.”

And Mannion’s teammates think he is ready to help them get there. Beavers players voted Mannion one of four team captains, a rarity for a sophomore.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” he said. “A lot of responsibility comes with that. I don’t take it lightly at all. I need to be more of a vocal leader.”

The Beavers open the season at Reser Stadium on Sept. 1 against visiting Nicholls. State. The game will be televised on the new Pac-12 Networks. The schedule also includes a home game Sept. 8 against Big Ten power Wisconsin. The Civil War game against arch-rival Oregon is Nov. 24 at Reser.