OSU's Bernard has run Cardinal ragged

Saturday's game is the last time Stanford will have the opportunity to face Oregon State running back Yvenson Bernard. The Cardinal are hoping for a fond farewell in Corvallis.

Yvenson Bernard, a senior, has been one of the Pac-10's most bruising, productive backs in the past few years and no one knows that better than Cardinal defensive players. Last season in a 30-7 road win over Stanford, Yvenson Bernard rushed 36 times for 168 yards.

Yvenson Bernard ranks No. 3 in the Pac-10 in rushing this season behind Oregon's Jonathan Stewart and Cal's Justin Forsett, averaging 107.4 yards a game, with nine touchdowns. He has more carries (175) than any other back in the conference.

"He can do it all. He can block. He can catch. He can get yards after contact," Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh said. "He's a back that can run on the perimeter. He's a back that can insert between tackles. He's really what you're looking for in a back, that back that can do it all. His ability to do so many things well makes him one of the best backs we've faced."

Stanford's run defense ranks eighth in the Pac-10, giving up 162 yards a game. Last week, the Cardinal surrendered 130 rushing yards to Arizona, a team that came in averaging 83.5 rushing yards a game.

But Yvenson Bernard will be running behind a beleaguered line, still adjusting to the news that starting left tackle Tavita Thompson has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the remainder of the season. Oregon State officials won't discuss the nature of the infraction, but said Thompson will be able to return next season and the Beavers will not have to forfeit any games.

In addition to the loss of Thompson, right guard Roy Schuening is sick with a case of pneumonia and may not play, while the Beavers have been playing most of the season without standout left guard Jeremy Perry, who broke his left leg in the season opener against Utah. Perry returned to practice this week.

Sherman sees TDs: Richard Sherman's 33-yard touchdown catch against the Wildcats, his fourth scoring reception of the season, came on a play he persuaded Harbaugh to call.

"Richard has suggested three play calls to me this year on the sidelines, probably more. But the three that I've called that he's suggested have all been touchdowns." Harbaugh said. "He's 3-for-3, so I have a lot of confidence in Richard Sherman's play-calling ability right now."

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