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Back from right to left: Senior offensive lineman Andy Levitre, sophomore tight end Brady Camp, senior offensive guard Adam Speer, sophomore offensive lineman Alex Linnenkohl and (front) freshman tailback Jacquizz Rodgers are participating in "No Shave November."

Oregon State offense looking hairy

With a coaches encouragement OSU's offense is growing out facial hair as a sign of team unity during month of November

By: Frank Hoaglin

Posted: 11/19/08

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It started with the simplest of concepts and turned into something an entire team could bond over: No Shave November. The month when it's everybody's goal (everybody who participates, that is) to end up looking like Tom Hanks halfway through "Castaway" or Robert Redford in "Jeremiah Johnson." It is unclear where the concept originally came from, but it has become a nationally known annual event and a base on which the Oregon State offense has tried to unify.

"I think (sophomore tight end) Gabe Miller was the one that brought it up," senior offensive lineman Andy Levitre said. "And then coming into Arizona State, our coach put up on the overhead that it was 'No Shave November,' and instead of a couple people hearing about it, the entire offense heard about it."

Oregon State has seen a slight drop in offensive production moving from October to November but is currently ranked 28th in the nation with just over 423 total yards per game. This is just four yards less then that of upcoming OSU opponent University of Arizona, who looks to crush the Beavers' hopes of winning out the season and moving onto the 'game that must not be mentioned.' Expected to make his second straight start since returning from a shoulder injury is quarterback Lyle Moevao, who, according to numerous teammates, has the best facial hair so far this month.

"Lyle's got some good facial hair going on. Adam [Speer] or Lyle [have the best]," Levitre said. "Adam grows his beard out a lot though, so it's normal. Lyle normally shaves, so seeing him with a beard is a lot different."

The junior quarterback is currently fifth in the Pac-10 in passing with 1,967 yards and has connected with six different receivers for touchdowns while winning his last five out of six starts. Although his look has changed a bit from the goatee he sported early in the season, Moevao is on pace to take on the appearance of King Leonidas from "300."

"This being my first time ever actually having a beard of any sort, it is pretty cool to see," Moevao said. "I think a lot of guys are having a good time seeing each other week to week. Not only that, but it's funny, the types of reactions that you get from other people out in the community. It's tough when it comes to girls, but it's always fun going out there and seeing their reactions. A lot of girls actually like it. I'm thinking about keeping it."

While some people may be able to pull off the whole facial hair deal, it is not for others. Freshman running back Jacquizz Rodgers and sophomore wide receiver James Rodgers, as noticed by numerous teammates, have issues with growing facial hair.

Jacquizz leads the Pac-10 in rushing and is sixth in Heisman polls this season while James is second on the team in receiving with 603 yards and four touchdowns, but when it comes down to "No Shave," the difficulty the brothers have in the facial hair department was something that was anticipated.

"I think it was expected," Moevao said. "Those two young guys. I think if you're not able to see over the wheel of a car yet then it's most likely that you won't have any facial hair. It was pretty expected for those two to not have anything. And it's good aerodynamics for them to go even faster than what they are already, so I think that's some of the reason for their speed."

On the other hand, some players should take from the old saying "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should." While Moevao, Levitre, Speer and offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf were praised for their ability to come through November without ending up looking like Hagrid from the Harry Potter movies, some of the players have been ridiculed.

"(Sean) Canfield looks the worst," Moevao said. "I call him 'Patches,' because he has patches everywhere. He doesn't have a beard, he just has patches of hair on his face, which is funny, because usually if you look at somebody's face, if they have a patch on their cheek, usually it would be on the same location on the other cheek, but with him, his patches are odd. They are in different places."

As the Beavers look to finish up a perfect November, they head to Tucson to face the Arizona Wildcats, whose only loss this season is at home against USC. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.

Frank Hoaglin, sports writer
sports@dailybarometer.com