(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
CORVALLIS — Nearly a decade ago, Gary Andersen ran down the ramp at Reser Stadium to take his sport on the sideline as Utah's defensive coordinator.
The rest of the on-field memory is not exactly pleasant for Andersen, as Oregon State topped the Utes 24-7 in a 2007 season-opener where Beavers running back Yvenson Bernard scored two touchdowns while Utah running back Matt Asiata broke his leg and quarterback Brian Johnson went down with a shoulder injury.
Yet it was Andersen's first exposure to Corvallis, a place he then believed throughout his coaching journey could someday be a good fit for him and his family.