Bernard delivers once more for Beavers

When Yvenson Bernard took over as the starting running back for Oregon State three years ago, few people surrounding the program knew a lot about him. Now, after he has finished up his career by setting multiple bowl game records and earning honors as the 2007 Emerald Bowl Offensive MVP, you'd be hard pressed to find a college football fan who doesn't know the guy.

It would be difficult to plan a better ending to an illustrious career than the ending Yvenson Bernard had with the Beavers. He set the Emerald Bowl record for most carries (38) and most rushing yards (177), helping lead the Beavers to a 21-14 win over Maryland.

But those weren't the only records going down thanks to Bernard. In the bowl game alone, his performance moved him up the Pac-10 all-time rushing list from the No. 11 spot to No. 6. Bernard's 177-yard game moved him past the likes of USC's Ricky Bell and former OSU standout Steven Jackson to conclude his career as one of the top rushers in conference history.

"I just went out there and played football," Bernard said. "I wasn't worried about the records and all of that. I just wanted to lead the seniors and this program to a win, and I think we all did a great job."

Bernard also became the Beavers' second all-time leading rusher, trailing only Ken Simonton on the list of Oregon State's best running backs.

His 1,214 rushing yards this season also tied him for the lead with most 1,000-yard rushing seasons in conference history. Simonton is another Beaver in that category.

But even though Bernard did his part to rewrite record books during his final game as an Oregon State Beaver, he gives all the credit in the world to his offensive line.

"I never doubt the offensive line, the way our coaches push those guys," he said. "I know they are going to give 100 percent regardless of the situation, and they did a great job. I've always praised my offensive line, and once again they came up big."

Bernard's productivity in the Emerald Bowl may have even surprised a few people. Midway through the game at Washington State on Nov. 11, Bernard went down with a knee injury that required minor surgery. He was forced to sit out from his last Civil War game against Oregon and was even listed as questionable to play in the bowl game prior to the match-up with the Terrapins.Head coach Mike Riley knew, however, that if Bernard was good to go, he was certainly going to be the Beavers' focal point on offense.

"If he's able to, he's going to get that many carries," said Riley about Bernard's 38 touches. "And he always knows where he's at in terms of playing ability. We've gone through that a few times during Yvenson's career at Oregon State, but he just gets warmed up at about 25 carries."

Bernard's ability to get healthy quickly from knee surgery obviously played a huge role, if not the biggest role in the Beavers fourth straight bowl win.

"It was absolutely great to have him back," Riley said. "He got a little mad in the first half about not getting the ball, but that's just typical him."

With the game tied at halftime, Bernard made his last half of collegiate football a memorable one, helping carry OSU downfield for the game-winning score. He and freshman James Rodgers wore down a tired Maryland defense for the entire second half, ending any chance of the Terrapins getting back into the game

And while records and awards were a huge part of his swan song in San Francisco, going out with a victory will be the lasting memory for the senior from Boca Raton, Fla.

"Just getting the win was all that I could think about," Bernard said. "And it feels great. I can't think of a better way to leave this program."

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