How transfer TE Andy Alfieri emerged as an unsung hero for Oregon State’s defense

Oregon State’s Andy Alfieri (88) celebrates a tackle for loss against UNLV on Oct. 19. Alfieri, a transfer from California, moved primarily from tight end to linebacker after injuries to OSU defenders stacked up.

CORVALLIS — Seconds after producing the most impactful play of his Oregon State career thus far, Andy Alfieri momentarily froze.

Late in the Beavers’ close-fought loss to UNLV last week, Alfieri burst into the Rebels’ backfield and brought down running back Jai’Den Thomas for a big tackle-for-loss at a time when Oregon State badly needed a defensive spark.

He stood up to celebrate before realizing he was woefully underprepared for the moment.

“It was a great feeling because it was my first big play on defense,” Alfieri said. “But I really didn’t know what to do afterward. I didn’t have a celebration — I haven’t celebrated since high school on defense. So I just threw my arms up.”

It’s all part of the learning curve for Alfieri, who has emerged as an unsung defensive hero amidst his debut season with the Beavers. A senior tight end who arrived in Corvallis as an impact offensive transfer from Cal last offseason, Alfieri established himself as a strong blocker who is well-suited for the Beavers’ H-back role this fall.

But, due to Oregon State’s injury crisis on the defensive side of the ball, he has made the shift to outside linebacker and has taken to the role rather quickly. Alfieri logged 25 defensive snaps last week against the Rebels — the majority of which came in run scenarios — and recorded two tackles.

One week earlier, against Nevada, he played 22 defensive snaps and produced two stops.

Until the week leading up to the Nevada game, Alfieri had never so much as glanced at Oregon State’s defensive playbook; he spent the entirety of fall camp and the first six weeks of the season repping with the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/transfer-te-andy-alfieri-emerged-174414082.html

Author : Statesman Journal

Publish date : 2024-10-25 17:44:14

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