CORVALLIS - There was no slow pace, no bad body language Friday afternoon as Oregon State players headed from Valley Football Center to the Prothro Fields for the season's first practice.
Strength and conditioning coach Mike McDonald made sure of it. He stood near the practice entrance and enthusiastically greeted every player with a palm slap or a chest bump. Occasionally a player didn't look quite practice-ready - for example, one wasn't wearing his practice jersey - and McDonald had them go back across Ralph Miller Dr., make the necessary adjustments, then return to an excitable welcome.
Junior tackle Blake Brandel sported a freshly-shaven bald head, but with beard intact.