The first spring of the Gary Andersen era has come and gone. Now the Oregon State coach is counting days (literally) until the Beavers ramp it up again in the fall. He took a few minutes earlier this week to chat with the Pac-12 blog about what he liked coming out of spring and what the priorities are moving into the summer and fall.

What was your biggest takeaway from spring ball?

Gary Andersen: I think the kids competed. And they didn't look at the spring game as a day off. We didn't sit one kid out of the game. Every kid played. That was huge for them to come out and compete the way they did and we were able to get some explosive plays on offense when the opportunities presented themselves. That was good to see. Overall, I'd say as a football team they showed their competitiveness, their want-to to play the game of football and then have some fun while they are playing. All of that stuff is really important to us.

How invigorating is it to take over new program and go out for spring with a fresh start?

GA: It's very difficult to start over. Once you get settled, there is getting to know new kids. But once you feel settled with the kids, it is exciting. You wake up every day excited about breaking down some doors that haven't been broken down in a while and the kids are excited. It's difficult. It's exciting. And it's invigorating. It's everything that goes into those words.

Everyone wants to talk quarterbacks. Give us a status update.

GA: Seth (Collins) and Nick (Mitchell), as we progressed through the last couple weeks of spring, separated themselves. And I will say this, I think Marcus (McMaryion) did a nice job, especially in the last week, gaining some ground and getting in position to be able to deserve some reps for whowever that second quarterback is going to be. I'm interested to watch all three of them compete, lead their team in the offseason and through the summer. When I say lead, I don't expect either one of them to be the leader of the team. But a quarterback has to have a look amongst themselves that the team is settled. They can look at him and say ‘Hey, he can get this done.' They both did some good things. Seth made some great plays in the scrimmage and everyone wants to talk about that. But I think Nick did some good things, too. The competition will continue. The ‘wow' plays that Seth made are amazing and showed his competitiveness. It's a good thing. But also a bad thing.

How advantageous is it to have three young guys when you're installing a new system and starting with a new staff and a new philosophy?

GA: It's good. I'm not going to sit here and say if Sean Mannion was here, I'd like to have that guy also. But with the new system, it does require the quarterback to be as athletic as he can be, and that's important. The youthfulness of the position is a plus. But the youthfulness of the position also causes you to be a little unsteady. But that's where invigorating comes in. That's exciting to watch a young man you think has talent grow and you can be a small part in helping him grow and develop.

Besides QB, what position battle are you most excited about?

GA: I would say the first six defensive linemen are going to be imperative to our success next year. And we're nowhere close to where we need to be. Again, I think the work ethic is gaining ground. It's good at this point, but it has to be great. There are some young men in that position that are not even close to really scratching the surface of how good they can be and there are some others that can really do some special things. As of today there are (108) days until we start fall camp, they have to use all (108) of them. That's a position group more than a position battle. But I'm telling you, if we're going to slow people down next year, the defensive front has a lot of work to do between now and fall camp. And coach Chad (Kauha'aha'a) and those kids are excited to jump in and get working.

No one ever accomplishes everything they want in spring. What's something you didn't hit on as much in spring that you'll focus on in the fall?

GA: We hit in a lot, but where we need to improve as an offense is throwing it and catching it consistently. I think we have a core of very talented wide receivers. They showed up in the spring scrimmage and make some great plays. But you've got Jordan (Villamin) and Victor (Bolden) -- so many, four or five of them that can be great players -- we need to pitch it and catch it consistently. When we have a chance to make a big play, let's go make the big play. But we've got to catch the contested balls, we've got to throw the ball the right way at the opportune time to allow us to make those great catches. I'm more concerned with consistently making the layups than I am these guys making that great, fantastic grab.