(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.)

Oct. 26, 1999

My left rib is bruised. I really don't know if it's more than one rib, but it feels like just one rib. But I am happy to be where I am now. I feel a hundred times better today than I did on Saturday. I was in a lot of pain. It wasn't the contact that I was concerned with; it was the actual movement that hurt. If I can run full speed by Saturday, I will not worry about the contact.

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

A flap jacket? No! I don't want to wear one. I do not like a lot of extra padding. If I have to wear it then I have to, but I would definitely prefer to play without one.

I am looking forward to practice this week. I will probably stay out of some of the contact drills, but I'll do all the rest to see how I feel so I will know where I really am. I will take it one day at a time.

Will I play on Saturday? It's my decision. I will do what's best for me.

We must get a win against Washington State. The key is to hold on to the ball and catch it, and the rest will take care of itself. If you do things right, football is a very simple game.

If they started Antonio Battle or Eric Mobley on Saturday so that I could get more rest, that would be great. I am greedy but I'm not stupid. I have two running backs behind me that I am very confident in. If the coaching staff chooses to start them, then I will sit back and be a cheerleader. It will be just fine with me.

	THE FULL DOSE OF DIARIES
	Georgia Tech's Joe Hamilton: Controlling your own destiny
	UCLA's Danny Farmer: Another tough loss
	Miami's André King: Bring on West Virginia
	Ole Miss' Tode Wade: Date in Death Valley
	Oregon's Reuben Droughns: Contributing to the success

It's a relief to get a win. It felt good to finally execute everything properly. However, I can't get very excited about the UCLA victory because there is still work to be done. Yes, the victory got us a step closer to our goal, but we are still a long way from accomplishing all of our goals.

My thumb felt good Saturday. I didn't really have any problems with it. I didn't have a lot of carries to get much work out of it, but it's fine.

The moment I signed the letter of intent and looked through the media guide, I knew as long I stayed healthy, I would leave Oregon State with all the rushing records. I know many people doubted my ability in the beginning, especially some of the Pac-10 coaches, and that's why they will have to deal with me for the next two years. Mike Riley saw something and believed in me, and I just thank God for this opportunity to play and have fun.

Coach Dennis Erickson has an urgency about everything. He wants to win big and win it all, which is great. He believes we can win. He has felt that way about this team from the beginning, and his confidence will filter down to the players.