CORVALLIS — Gary Andersen first pointed to Tim Cook's "great play that should not go unnoticed" from Oregon State's contest against Utah.
Not the 16-yard swing pass, where Cook bulldozed a defender on the left sideline on third-and-5 to help set up the Beavers' late touchdown. The tackle of Boobie Hobbs on a third-quarter punt return that the Beavers coach believes likely saved a touchdown.
"If he doesn't get that big hit, I don't know who's gonna tackle that guy," Andersen said.
And that play embodies how Cook has embraced his role, even when the senior running back was not getting carries throughout the first half of the season.