ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Sports Writer
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — Mike Riley, the dean of the Pac-12’s coaches embarking on his 14th season at Oregon State, is always unapologetically optimistic each season.
This season is no different — but a big reason behind his hope is returning quarterback Sean Mannion, who decided to stick with the Beavers for a final season.
Mannion embodies Riley’s pro-style offense. The 6-foot-5 senior set a Pac-12 season record last year for yards passing with 4,662 and threw an Oregon State-record 37 touchdown passes, third-most for a single season in conference history.
The fifth-year senior has collected 10,436 career yards passing and could break Matt Barkley’s record of 12,274 before the end of the season.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.