Oregon State, perhaps the surprise team in the Pac-10 over the past two seasons, has some work to do to maintain that lofty position this season.

The Beavers, who open the season Thursday night at Stanford, will do so without departed tailback Yevenson Bernard nor any of the starting front seven from its defense.

"We do have guys that have experience playing but it's always difficult to take that whole front seven and replacing them," said coach Mike Riley.

Bernard had rushed for 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons. His 3,862 career rushing yards place him second on Oregon State's career list behind Ken Simonton's 5,044 yards. Freshmen Ryan McCants and Jacquizz Rodgers, and El Camino College transfer Jeremy Francis, will pick up the slack.

"It's a bit of a changing of the guard," said Riley. "We're looking for that next back. It's really important to the foundation of what we do offensively... I like the look of our two freshmen."