CORVALLIS — During Friday practices of Victor Bolden's freshman season, he'd often go streaking down the sideline and dive for a Sean Mannion pass.
Without wearing pads.
"Whoa," receivers coach Brent Brennan would tell the young receiver. "We play tomorrow. We need you to chill, just pull back a little bit."
Gary Andersen was not around for Bolden's early days. But this week, the Oregon State coach compared Bolden's practice habits to longtime NFL star Steve Smith, whom Andersen watched daily as an assistant at Utah. Though Bolden will end his career in OSU's record books — he currently ranks third all-time in all-purpose yards (5,152) and in the top 10 in both catches (167) and receiving yards (1,849) — the example he set as a quiet leader and relentless worker will also linger long after he steps of the Reser Stadium field for the final time following Saturday's Civil War.