(Editor's note: Oregon State sophomore running back Ken Simonton will share a weekly diary with ESPN.com throughout the season. For more information on the Beavers, visit the official OSU site.)

Dec. 15, 1999

Which conference is better, the Pac-10 or the WAC?
Ken Simonton: The Pac-10 has the advantage. It's the best conference in the country. The critics can say what they want -- yes, we've had our ups and downs -- but overall, the Pac-10 has been more consistent. I would take my show on the road against anybody.

	Ken Simonton rushed for 1,028 yards as a redshirt freshman in 1998.

Will OSU's running game be effective against Hawaii?
Ken Simonton: I think we will run the ball well against Hawaii, especially in certain situations up the middle because of the way the Rainbows do things. But you should never buy too much into what you see about a team on film. We can't take them lightly because sometimes the film will lie. Oregon played a lot better than they looked on film, and Georgia Southern as well.

What has been the highlight of the season:
Ken Simonton: The highlight of the season is this free trip to Hawaii. Hawaii was actually the last place I wanted to be on Christmas, but now that we're going, I'm going to enjoy it. The season would have been a complete waste if we didn't make it to a bowl game. I'm pleased at the way we rebounded from those first Pac-10 losses, but I'm still not 100 percent satisfied with the outcome of the season. I guess sometimes you take what you can get and have to be content with it.

Why did you decide to attend Oregon State?
Ken Simonton: Mike Riley. If he had of stayed at USC, that's where I would have been. There was still some doubt and stress about coming here, but I really liked Mike and I trusted him, so I concluded that this was the best place.

What was your reaction when you learned Riley was leaving?
Ken Simonton: It was a very stressful and tense couple of weeks when I learned that Mike Riley was leaving. He was my main reason for being here in the beginning. So I was strongly considering leaving if they didn't bring another good coach into the program. I first heard of Dennis Erickson when he was coaching at Miami because there was so much hype surrounding the team. Then he went to Seattle and I became more aware of him. Once I heard Erickson's name mentioned, I knew something good was going happen. Once he committed to Oregon State, I was at ease and had no doubts about staying.

How would you describe coach Erickson's staff, as compared to coach Riley's?
Ken Simonton: Erickson's staff is more relaxed; they let us talk more and get excited. Riley was more, let's say, calm and focused. We can be ourselves with Erickson's staff, go out and have fun and play ball. This difference helped a lot. Erickson's staff has made a lot of things easier for me. Running backs coach Eric Yarber does a great job; he makes it easy to understand the plays and film. He's still young so he can physically show me how things should look. When I first got here, this football team didn't have a hunger for anything. The attitude was, "We're used to losing and so be it." But Erickson put it back on the players, and holds us accountable. I like it here at Oregon State; it's a good situation. I am blessed to have worked under two of the best coaches in the game, especially in the college ranks. It's a great feeling.

How would you describe your job on the team?
Ken Simonton: The tailback's job in this offense is to be the trend setter. I have to be the spark plug. I just want to bring fun to the game and fun is winning.

By the way, it's cold out here in Oregon, too cold for my tropical blood. Another reason why I'm looking forward to Hawaii.