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Oregon State (4-2) at #12 USC (4-2)
Los Angeles, CA - Who could have forgotten the shocking upset at Reser Stadium last year in Corvallis when a sea of orange rushed the field as the Beavers had beaten the #1 USC Trojans? Now the Men of Troy will finally get their rematch in the Coliseum where Oregon State has a long history of being unable to win. "I won't lie," said a very serious USC FS Taylor Mays. "We really want to beat these guys after the way we played up there last year. I have a lot of respect for Oregon State but all I'm gonna say is that we're taking care of business this week." Both Oregon State and USC come in with identical 4-2 records so the game has lost some of its importance nationally, but on the west coast, viewers prepared to watch another great game between the Beavers and the Trojans. Southern Cal would look to regain respect after losing an early game to Cal and just last week losing to still undefeated Notre Dame. Oregon State on the other hand was coming off of a bye after destroying Stanford and previously getting their biggest win of the season against Arizona State. A loss by either team would probably put them too far behind Oregon who has still yet to lose a conference game.
Unfortunately for the Trojans, they have been struck by injuries. USC is down to 3rd-string freshman QB Matt Barkley after both Aaron Corp and Mitch Mustain were lost for the season. Also, two stallions in their stable of running backs have been sidelined for a few weeks as USC would be without both HBs CJ Gable and Stafon Johnson. So it would be up to HBs Joe McKnight and Allen Bradford.
The Trojans opened their drive by completing one first down but the outstanding OSU defense was able get USC off the field as they were forced to punt. However, the opening possession for the Beavers did not go so well either as QB Lyle Moevao tried to connect with WR James Rodgers but USC CB Shareece Wright had position and made the interception. Taking advantage of the turnover, QB Matt Barkley was able to get USC into the red zone where HB Joe McKnight was able to slither across a small hole, diving across the goal line on a four-yard touchdown scamper to put Southern Cal on top 7-0.
USC HB Joe McKnight dives across the goal line on a four-yard touchdown scamper.
Now, Oregon State was forced to deal with an enthusiastic crowd as the noise level of the Coliseum jumped up considerably. Though Moevao was able to silence the crowd a bit when he connected with TE Howard Croom for a first down. Then Moevao threw deep to the sideline to Croom again who made a nice over the shoulder catch very close to the sideline but the play was ruled incomplete. But just as the Beavers were ready for their next play, the whistle blew as the play was under review. After a short delay it was determined that Croom was able to keep a foot in bounds and had possession so Oregon State was now inside the red zone.
OSU TE Howard Croom keeps one foot in bounds and makes a nice over the shoulder catch for a big gain.
A couple plays later, Moevao out of the gun faked the handoff to HB Jacquizz Rodgers and threw to an open Croom again who was able to score an 11-yard touchdown reception to tie the game 7-7.
OSU TE Howard Croom left open for an 11-yard touchdown reception.
On the ensuing possession for the Trojans, QB Matt Barkely would find himself under pressure by DE Kevin Frahm who caused the freshman to get rid of the ball too early as CB Tim Clark was there for an easy interception and then took off, diving into the end zone for a pick-six to give the Beavers a 14-7 lead just like that.
OSU CB Tim Clark with a pick-six.
To end an entertaining 1st quarter, Barkley would be sacked by DE Ben Terry on a possession where the Trojans lost ten yards and were forced to punt after a three-and-out. But the Beavers did not fare much better as Moevao was sacked on third down, leading to a punt. Barkley continued to struggle against one of the top defenses in not just the conference but in the nation as he threw another interception as OSU FS Suaesi Tuimaunei picked him off. However, OSU was limited to just a 27-yard field goal attempt which kicker Justin Kahut doinked off the upright. (Becoming the first victim of lowered FG accuracy sliders)
Finally, Barkley was able to show some flashes of brilliance, looking like the top QB prospect from last year as he led USC into the red zone but OSU DT Stephen Paea was able to apply pressure to force an errant pass on 3rd down. As a result, the Trojans settled for a 28-yard field goal to cut the OSU lead to 14-10 with 2:11 left in the 1st half.
Moevao countered back with an impressive two-minute drill. With :36 left to go, Moevao lofted up a deep pass toward the end zone to WR Darrell Catchings in single coverage. The ball just cleared the USC defender's outstretched hand as Catchings caught the ball over his shoulder in the back of the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown reception to give Oregon State a 21-10 lead at halftime.
OSU WR Darrell Catchings with a great catch in the end zone off of a fantastic pass by QB Lyle Moevao for a 32-yard touchdown reception.
Oregon State continued to move the ball well to start the 3rd quarter but a decent drive would stall, leading to a punt. The play before the drive ended, Moevao was hit in throwing motion and left the field but it proved to just be a scare as he was fine.
Pete Carroll as usual was able to make some adjustments at halftime and the Trojans' opening possession of the 3rd quarter was their best of the game. Suddenly, USC looked unstoppable as they moved the ball methodically. Finally, QB Matt Barkley would find FB Havili in the flat for a seven-yard touchdown connection to cap off a 15-play, 80-yard drive to make it 21-17 OSU.
USC QB Matt Barkley finds FB Havili for a seven-yard touchdown pass.
On the ensuing kickoff, WR Reggie Dunn on the return was able to spin out of trouble and find nothing but green in front of him as he was able to race down the field, housing a 98-yard kick return for a touchdown as the Beavers were now up 28-17.
OSU WR Reggie Dunn spins out of trouble and returns it 98 yards for a touchdown.
The Trojans seemed to have regained the momentum until Dunn's 98-yard kick return so USC was back to square one to start the 4th quarter. It was starting to look like Oregon State might finally beat the Trojans in the Coliseum but then USC put another impressive scoring drive together as HB Allen Bradford, on a toss to the left, scored on a two-yard touchdown scamper . Carroll decided to for the two points but Bradford was stuffed so USC was down 28-23.
USC HB Allen Bradford with a two-yard touchdown scamper.
Then the Beavers would fail to move the ball at all, going three-and-out. However, on the punt, USC returner Ronald Johnson was lit up by OSU CB James Dockery, separating Johnson from the ball as it fell to the grass where Dockery was able to fall on it for the recovery. The Coliseum was silenced by the turnover as Oregon State now had terrific field position with a chance to likely put this game away.
OSU CB James Dockery forced a fumble on a punt return by USC WR Ronald Johnson which Dockery also recovers.
Not long after, Moevao on a playaction would throw a strike to WR James Rodgers just short of the goal line. Next, younger brother "Quizz" Rodgers fought across the goal line for a one-yard goal line touchdown run to put the Beavers up 35-23 with only 3:57 remaining in the game.
OSU HB Jacquizz Rodgers scores at the gaol line.
Time was running out for USC and to make matters worse, the Trojans were forced to punt after another three-and-out. Oregon State now had a chance to put the game away if they could just move the chains. But the Trojan defense stepped up and forced a three-and-out so USC was able to quickly get the ball back. Barkley engineered an impressive late 13-play drive and finished it off by hitting WR David Ausberry for a four-yard touchdown pass to make it 35-30 OSU with only :33 left in the game.
It would all come down to the onside kick but it was not to be for the Men of Troy as the Beavers recovered the football. After a couple of kneeldowns by Moevao, the Beavers celebrated a huge victory and finally won in the Coliseum. After the game a teary-eyed Mike Riley was available for comment. "This is a huge, huge victory for the Beavers," said Riley. "I think you have to be a fan, a player, or a member of this program to fully understand how important of a win this is for the Beavers. I'm really, really proud of those kids to go out there and beat an outstanding football team like the Trojans is just something really special. This is a great day to be a Beaver." Oregon State wins their first game at the Coliseum against the Trojans since 1960 and makes it back-to-back wins against USC.
Oregon State 35
QB Lyle Moevao: 17-21, 163 yds, 2 td, int
HB Jacquizz Rodgers: 14 car, 31 yds, td
TE Howard Croom: 7 rec, 80 yds, td
CB Tim Clark: 6 tkl, int, defl, td
#12 USC 30
QB Matt Barkley: 29-44, 305 yds, 2 td, 2 int
HB Joe McKnight: 16 car, 47 yds, td
WR Damian Williams: 9 rec, 72 yds
OLB Malcolm Smith: 9 tkl, tfl, sk, defl
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