Bernard may suit up at Autzen

Oregon State coach Mike Riley said Thursday that tailback Yvenson Bernard will be a "game-time decision" for Saturday's Civil War game at Autzen Stadium.

Yvenson Bernard had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee last week. He suffered the injury in the first half of OSU's 52-17 win at Washington State on Nov. 17.

The surgery was a minor procedure, and Yvenson Bernard said there was no tendon tear or anterior cruciate ligament tear.

But there has been some swelling. The fifth-year senior hasn't practiced all week.

Riley said he will be careful about playing Yvenson Bernard because he wants him 100 percent for the Beavers' bowl game. But he hasn't totally given up on the idea of having the Pacific-10 Conference's No. 3 rusher against the Ducks.

Given Yvenson Bernard's tolerance for pain, and his ability in previous seasons to bounce back from injuries ranging from shoulder stingers to knee strains to sprained ankles, Riley is taking an optimistic approach. Yvenson Bernard has only missed one start this season -- the USC game -- and with a week's rest he ran for 149 yards against Washington.

"We've been down this road with Yvenson before," said Riley.

If Yvenson Bernard is out, the Beavers will likely alternate seniors Matt Sieverson and Clinton Polk against an Oregon defense that has surrendered just one rushing touchdown in its last six games.

Riley said he has confidence in both of his backups, but admits neither player could be considered a good pass-blocker -- an area that Yvenson Bernard excelled in -- or skillful receiver, another area where Yvenson Bernard was among the best in the country.

Leaf out: Oregon senior quarterback Brady Leaf's career might be over because of his severely sprained right ankle.

"Brady may have to have surgery, so he will not be available for this game and would be questionable for a bowl game," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "It was much worse than his sprain to the other ankle."

Leaf sprained his left ankle against Arizona on Nov. 15 and sprained his right ankle against UCLA last Saturday.

Kempt still No. 1: Bellotti said Cody Kempt has remained the favorite to start at quarterback over fellow redshirt freshman Justin Roper.

"Cody's done an excellent job," Bellotti said. "His improvement has been, I won't say amazing, but just really pleasing. He's come of age very quickly."

Strong in good spirits: Senior receiver Garren Strong will start Saturday, a week after his younger brother passed away after a four-year battle with cancer.

The funeral for Tyler Strong, 18, will be held Wednesday because his family wanted Garren Strong to play in his final home game.

"He was too young, but at least he's now resting with no pain," said Strong, who returned to practice Wednesday.

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