Go Beavs: An Oregon State Dynasty

[Emac78]

[b][size=+2]Preseason Rankings[/size][/b]

1 Ohio State (26-game winning streak)
2 Oklahoma
3 Florida State
4 Clemson
5 LSU
6 Georgia
7 Texas Tech
8 Texas
9 Florida
10 Auburn
11 Notre Dame
12 Missouri
13 Pittsburgh
14 Tennessee
15 USC
16 Indiana
17 TCU
18 Nebraska
19 Georgia Tech
20 Arizona State
21 Virginia
22 Kansas State
23 Penn State
24 North Carolina
25 Virginia Tech
38 [b]Oregon State[/b]

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

QB Blaine Gabbert (Missouri)
QB Willy Korn (Clemson)
QB Cameron Newton (Florida)
HB Chris Rainey (Florida)
QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)

[Emac78]

Season Preview
Week 1
Illinois at #12 Missouri

Chris: Welcome back to Columbia, Missouri where the game of the week is between Illinois and Missouri. We'll get to this game later but right now let's look at the Pac-10. This conference has really struggled but will anybody challenge USC this year?

Kirk: No. I just don't see anybody that can compete with the athletes that the Trojans have. If they can get by the Buckeyes, I think they should go undefeated.

Lee: Kirk, you're forgetting about the Beavers. Oregon State has defeated USC two years in a row and USC has to go to Corvallis this year. A place they have been unable to win at. Not to mention they also lost to Notre Dame last year and I think there is a good chance that the Irish will beat them again. They still go to the Rose Bowl though. There's nobody in that conference that will challenge them this year.

Chris: What about those Beavers that Lee just mentioned?

Kirk: Mike Riley has something going out there in Corvallis but I think he is still a couple years away. But they're starting to get some recruiting going. They will definitely have an impact in the Pac-10.

Lee: Yeah...that OSU QB Bryan Rossner looks real good. I mean real good. Top QB recruit last year out of junior college. I think they'll be better than the experts think.

Chris: Wow. So you like the Beavers then. Alright. Now what about the Cougars? They had a ten-win season last year. Nobody gave them a chance but Paul Wulff seems to have turned things around.

Kirk: Sorry Cougar fans. Last year was quite a story in Pullman but it won't happen this year.

Lee: They have no chance. Zero.

Chris: Well, it is a new season and none of the games have been played yet so it's time to make some predictions for the BCS championship that are sure to go wrong.

Kirk: I'm going to say that USC gets through the Pac-10 unscathed, beats Ohio State and Notre Dame to go undefeated. But Florida beats them in the championship.

Lee: That's a good pick but I don't know how I can go against Ohio State. They make it back to the championship where they beat Notre Dame.

Chris: Well, the fans are going crazy here in Columbia as they're ready to kick off the new college football season. It's time to make your picks for this game.

Kirk: Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert will show the country today why he is a frontrunner to win the Heisman. I expect to see a big game from him and that is why I'm picking Missouri to win. I don't think it will be very close at all.

Lee: Gabbert is a fabulous quarterback. He's going to have a big season but not so fast! Illinois has a good quarterback too. Illinois QB Eddie McGee and WR Arrelious Benn. Don't forget about them and Ron Zook will have his team ready to go today in this rivalry game and they win a close game and pull the upset. (Lee puts on an Illinois helmet.) Go Illini! (Crowd boos the pick in the backround.)

[Emac78]

Week 1 Recap (Oregon State Bye Week)

Illinois pulls the upset over No. 12 Missouri 47-31

Illinois QB Eddie McGee passes for 411 yards and five touchdowns as the Illini upset the Tigers.
Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert lost for the season with a forearm fracture.

[b][size=+2]Game of the Week[/size][/b]

Illinois 47
#12 Missouri 31

[b][size=+2]Top Ten[/size][/b]

1 Ohio State (27-game winning streak)
2 Oklahoma
3 Florida State
4 Clemson
5 LSU
6 Georgia
7 Texas Tech
8 Texas
9 Florida
10 Auburn

[b][size=+2]Injury Report[/size][/b]

QB Blaine Gabbert (Missouri) - forearm fracture (out for season)

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

QB Willy Korn (Clemson)
QB Cameron Newton (Florida)
HB Chris Rainey (Florida)
WR Deonte Thompson (Florida)
HB Brandon Saine (Ohio State)

[Emac78]

Oregon State Season Preview

Oregon State kicks off the season this Saturday at Utah. There is a lot of buzz in Corvallis for the upcoming season for the Beavers. There seems to be an expectation that this team has a chance to be special. The reason for the optimism is the new sophomore QB Bryan Rossner. The junior college transfer from Hawaii is apparently catching on quickly. Oregon State head coach Mike Riley praised his new quarterback, "The thing that really impresses me about Rossner is his footwork. He really has an understanding of how to move in the pocket and outside the pocket. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he does. We'll see how well he does once the games are for real." One thing that is certain. The season will rest on his shoulders.

The other player that Beaver fans are excited about is sophomore HB Marvin Quinn. Quinn about the upcoming season, "I'm starting to find my groove. I was hesitating too much last season. Now, I'm hitting those holes full speed ahead." Many people were questioning Riley about not starting Quinn last season but with only a 3.0 yards-per-carry average, one can not really blame him for not starting Quinn. It appears Quinn will carry the bulk of the load this season and he is definitely showing that explosiveness that Beaver Nation expected when he decided to come to Oregon State.

HB Marivn Quinn will carry the load for the Beavers this year.

The area where the offense looks most improved is on the offensive line. With four starting seniors on the offensive line, led by LG Michael Lamb, the holes should open up for Quinn and Rossner should get that time he will need as a young quarterback.

Oregon State will bring back senior WR Kyle Brown and senior WR Darrell Catchings at the receiver positions. Neither had spectacular numbers. Brown had 46 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns while Catchings had 44 receptions for 692 yards and six touchdowns. Brown is more of a possession receiver with the ability to break tackles for an occasional big play as he did in the Alamo Bowl against Wisconsin. Catchings is more of a deep threat with better speed. One of these receivers will hopefully step up and have a big year. OSU will bring back senior TE Gabe Miller who was the leading receiver on the team with 75 receptions for 799 yards and two touchdowns. Miller will likely be Rossner's favorite receiver though it appears from the practices that Quinn has become his go-to guy.

Can WR Kyle Brown be the go-to receiver for Rossner or will somebody else step up?

On the defensive side, fans should not be as optimistic. The defensive line is not great. The loss of DE Simi Kuli will effect this defense. Junior DE Kevin Frahm will try to take that role and will have some big shoes to fill as Kuli led the team with eight sacks last season. Sophomore DE Brian Dailey is clearly the weak spot of the defensive line but he did get some good experience last year. Senior DTs Mitchel Hunt and Brennan Olander have looked solid and should play well enough. The Beavers may have trouble getting pressure this year.

How will the loss of DE Simi Kuli effect the defensive line?

The linebackers look solid. Only one starter is brought back in senior OLB Dwight Roberson. Senior OLB Tom Hanson and junior MLB Will Darkins have experience but have never started. Look for the front seven to struggle early in the season.

An area of concern for the defense will be in the secondary. CB Tim Clark and his nine interceptions are gone and junior CB David Ross will have some big shoes to fill. Ross should be fine and has shown moments of greatness. On the other side, the Beavers will have a true freshman as the five-star recruit CB Mike Mayes will start. Look for him to struggle but have moments of brilliance as he has tremendous potential. Senior FS James Dockery and junior SS Cameron Collins are both good in coverage but need to improve their tackling as there were just too many missed tackles by these two.

Look for CB David Ross to step up and have a good season.

It is probably too early to consider this a Rose Bowl team but they should definitely compete for that second spot in the Pac-10. The conference is really weak this year and the Beavers have a fairly easy schedule. However, starting a new quarterback usually leads to at least a couple losses. USC, Arizona State, and Oregon will all have to come to Corvallis this year. If OSU can win all three of those games, it could be a special season in Corvallis.

Up Next: at Utah

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#19 Arizona State at #6 Georgia

Chris: Welcome back to Athens, Georgia where we have a showdown between the Pac-10 and the SEC. Arizona State will go between the hedges to play the heavily favored Georgia Bulldogs. (Crowd cheers.) This crowd was brought into a frenzy with a chorus of boos at the end of our last segment as Corso picked Georgia Tech to beat North Carolina. (Crowd boos.) Now it is time for the picks.

Kirk: Georgia's entire offensive line could play in the NFL right now. That is why Georgia HB Caleb King is going to have a monster game and I expect the Bulldogs to win by at least two touchdowns. (Crowd cheers.)

Lee: ASU is a better team than people think. They have a good athlete at QB in Steve Stratton. He's good too, boy. But the Sun Devils' defense has no chance at stopping Georgia's offense. The hogmollies will make Uga happy today. Georgia will steamroll over ASU today. This one will be over by halftime. (Lee puts on the Bulldog headgear.) (Crowd cheers.) Go Dawgs!

[Emac78]

Oregon State at Utah

Salt Lake City, UT - Oregon State and Utah met for the fourth time in the past three seasons Saturday. The Utes are not the same team they were a few years ago and the Beavers seem to be a team that is trying to get over the hump to that next level. Getting a win at Utah is never easy so this would be a good first test for OSU.

The game got off to a very ugly start. It was clear this was the first game of the season. The Utes went for an early fourth down conversion near midfield on fouth-and-two but it failed. It looked like OSU had all of the momentum but the Beavers' first offensive possession under new sophomore QB Bryan Rossner did not get off to a stellar start. The Beavers were forced to punt after an ugly three-and-out. The Utes did not look any better after they had their own three-and-out. OSU actually looked worse on their next possession which was another three-and-out. It was apparent that Rossner was playing his first collegiate game at the Division I level and the crowd seemed to have him rattled.

The Utes finally took advantage of the ineptness of the OSU offense when Ute QB Corban Louks hooked up with WR Aiona Key on an eight-yard touchdown over the middle of the endzone to give the Utes the lead 7-0. Oregon State would be forced to punt again but at least they were able to pin Utah inside their own five-yard line. Unfortunately, Utah was able to convert the first down on a risky option run in the endzone. Louks would throw a risky pass into tight coverage but WR Aiona Key came up with it and was not tackled, taking it to the house for a 59-yard touchdown to give Utah a 14-0 lead.

Utah WR Aiona Key comes up with a dangerous pass and takes it for six.

The Beavers looked like they were going to respond with their own scoring drive until WR Kyle Brown dropped a deep ball that would set them up inside the five-yard line. Instead, the Beavers had to punt again. The Utes would tack on a 44-yard field goal to make it 17-0 Utah at the half.

Rossner would make his first real mistake of the game when he tried to hit an open red-shirt freshman WR Marcus Sullilvan over the middle but the pass was picked off by SS Noah Reid. If Rossner had put some air on it, the play probably would have gone the distance. Ute QB Corban Louks took advantage as he connected with his red-shirt freshman TE Anthony Thomas in the red zone to give Utah a commanding 24-0 lead.

Ute SS Noah Reid picks off Rossner.

Finally, Rossner on a rollout to his left found a wide open WR Darrell Catchings on a crossing route who made the catch and took it to the house for a 55-yard touchdown to give Rossner his first career touchdown and put OSU in the game as they were down 24-6. OSU coach Mike Riley called for two and Rossner hooked up with WR Marcus Sullivan to cut the score to 24-8.

OSU QB Bryan Rossner connects with WR Darrell Catchings for his first career touchdown pass.

Utah would suffer a big setback when QB Corban Louks went down after an option run. Louks would leave with back spasms that are likely to sideline the quarterback for four weeks. That would make DeVonte Christopher the quarterback the rest of the game. The Utes would manage another field goal off of a 26-yard chip-shot to make add to their lead to make it 27-8 Utah.

On the ensuing possession, Rossner would also leave the game with a pinched nerve that would leave QB Ryan Katz to lead the team. Katz did a good job, lead the Beavers into the redzone with some nice passes. The drive would be finished off with a highlight run by sophomore HB Marvin Quinn who took a run to the outside where he split two defenders and then hurdled over for a 10-yard touchdown to make it a game as OSU was only down 27-15.

OSU HB Marvin Quinn with a highlight run to make it a game.

Utah would respond with a 34-yard field goal to make it a 30-15 lead for the Utes. Rossner would come back and lead an impressive drive and it looked like OSU was knocking on the door. That was until Rossner was forced to scramble where Ute DE Paul Kruger caught him and was able to force the ball loose which the Utes recovered. The turnover essentially ended the game as there was not enough time for Oregon State to make a realistic comeback.

Ute DE Paul Kruger forces the ball loose from Rossner for a huge turnover

To make it even worse, as Utah was trying to run the clock out, Ute HB Eddie Wide broke a tackle, then broke containment and took it to the house for a 69-yard touchdown, nailing this one shut as Utah was able to get a big win over the favored Beavers 37-15.

Ute HB Eddie Wide brings the game to an end with a 69-yard touchdown scamper.

Oregon State 15

QB Rossner: 17-25, 198 yds, td, int, fl
HB Quinn: 12 car, 43 yds, td, 7 rec, 29 yds
WR Catchings: 3 rec, 100 yds, td
FS Dockery: 11 tkl, 2 tfl, defl

Utah 37

QB Louks: 19-23, 221 yds, 3 td
HB Wide: 24 car, 144 yds, td
WR Key: 2 rec, 65 yds, 2 td
SS Reid: 11 tkl, int

Next: at San Diego State

[Emac78]

Week 2 Recap

ASU Stuns Georgia Between the Hedges 30-19

ASU QB Steve Stratton passes for three touchdowns to give the Sun Devils the upset.

[b][size=+2]Week 2 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#19 Arizona State 30
#6 Georgia 19

#22 Missouri 18
Michigan 30

#18 Georgia Tech 28
#24 North Carolina 21

[b][size=+2]Top Ten[/size][/b]

1 Ohio State (28-game winning streak)
2 Oklahoma 
3 Florida State
4 Clemson
5 LSU
6 Texas Tech
7 Texas
8 Florida
9 Auburn
10 Notre Dame

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

QB Willy Korn (Clemson)
QB Cameron Newton (Florida)
HB Brandon Saine (Ohio State)
WR WR#89 (LSU)
HB Chris Rainey (Florida)

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#1 Ohio State (2-0) at #13 USC (1-0)

Chris: We've got another big interconference matchup today. This time we have the No. 1 defending back-to-back champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the No. 13 USC Trojans. Last week, Arizona State took care of business, knocking off Georgia. Can USC do the same for the Pac-10 this week?

Kirk: Ohio State's QB Terrelle Pryor has looked terrific thus far. I expect to see more of the same against the Trojans this week.

Chris: Even in the Coliseum?

Kirk: It won't matter. Pryor will not be phased by the crowd. With a Heisman HB Brandon Saine carrying the rock, this offense will not be stopped. But it will be the Buckeyes' defense that will really be the difference in an extremely close contest. I like Ohio State but it will be close.

Lee: Nice pick Kirk. But wait a sec. Didn't you pick the Trojans to win the championship?

Kirk: I've had a change of heart.

Lee: The Trojans have a spectacular offense themselves. With WRs, Ronald Johnson and David Ausberry, they are capable of making some big plays but it won't happen against this bunch. The Buckeyes' defense led by OLB Ross Homan and DT Dexter Larimore will shut down USC's ground game. And CB Chimdi Chekwa will shut down one side of the field. That's why I'm going with Ohio State to win this one but it'll be close. It could come down to the kickers and Ohio State has a much better one. (Lee puts on the Ohio State headgear.) Go Buckeyes! (Crowd boos.)

[Emac78]

Oregon State (0-1) at San Diego State (1-1)

San Diego, CA - Oregon State came into beautiful San Diego reeling from a tough loss to Utah. Now, they would face another Mountain West team in the Aztecs who had to smell blood in the water after a team in their conference had just defeated the Beavers. OSU would try to get an anemic offense back on track against what should be an easy win against an overmatched Aztec team.

It did not start out too well for the Beavers as HB Marvin Quinn was dinged up on the first play, forcing him to miss the rest of the first possession. Despite the minor injury, OSU QB Bryan Rossner seemed to look better as the offense moved the chains a few times. That is when Rossner threw deep to WR Kyle Brown on a corner route but the ball was thrown as if it was a streak where SDSU CB Dey Juan Hemmings made the easy interception, then was able to return it all the way back for a pick-six giving the Aztecs the early lead 7-0. This was not the way Oregon State wanted to start the game.

SDSU CB Dey Juan Hemmings returns the interception for a pick-six.

Now Rossner would need to put the mistake behind him and get his team to respond and that is exactly what he was about to do. The Beavers moved inside the red zone which is where Rossner threw to WR Kyle Brown again who was in tight coverage. The ball hit Brown in the hands but bounced right off his hands, where SDSU CB Dey Juan Hemmings got his second interception of the game. Rossner looked dumbfounded as his senior WR just failed to catch the ball and it led to a turnover.

The OSU defense was able to stop the Aztecs inside the red zone which set up a 21-yard chip-shot putting SDSU up 10-0 early in the second quarter. The Beaver offense continued to sputter. Quinn came back in the game but was unable to find any running room. Rossner overthrew open receivers including a wide open TE Gabe Miller which would have been a big gain. Rossner would leave the game before the half with back spasms as the young QB was holding on to the ball too long, looking indecisive. Rossner would come back in the second half. OSU was still shut out by halftime down 10-0.

OSU needed to get something going but the situation got worse for the Beavers when SDSU HB Brandon Sullivan took a carry to the left where OSU FS James Dockery was there to make the tackle but Sullivan made Dockery look silly as Sullivan made a move that sent Dockery to the ground, allowing the quick, shifty runningback to get to the outside where he took it all the way to the house for a 47-yard touchdown run. The Aztecs were now up big 17-0 miway through the third quarter.

SDSU HB Brandon Sullivan makes a shifty move on OSU FS James Dockery, and takes it for a 47-yard touchdown.

The Beavers badly needed to respond. Rossner found a wide open Quinn for a first down but the running back dropped it. If Quinn had made the catch, he would have had a first down, and probably would have had a big gain if not a touchdown. But because of the drop, OSU was forced to punt. San Diego State was able to score again when the backup HB Davon Brown left a string of OSU mistackles in the dust for a 40-yard touchdown to give the Aztecs a crazy 24-0 lead. Qualcomm Stadium was starting to get the feeling that the Aztecs might pull the upset off.

SDSU HB Davon Brown makes it through a string of OSU mistackles on his way to a 40-yard touchdown.

Finally, Oregon State would end the shut out when FB Ryan McCants was able to fight his way in for a two-yard touchdown run to put the Beavers on the board in the beginning of the fourth quarter. OSU coach Mike Riley called for two and Rossner hit McCants in the front corner of the endzone to make it a 24-8 game.

OSU FB Ryan McCants puts the Beavers on the board with the two-yard touchdown run.

San Diego State would counter by tacking on a field goal to add to their lead, making it 27-8 SDSU. The game was put firmly on Rossner's shoulders from this point on and the young QB handled the pressure well going to what is becoming his favorite receiver, WR Darrell Catchings, moving the ball downfield and finishing off a scoring drive when Rossner threw a short pass to HB#37 who was tackled just as the ball crossed the goalline for a 20-yard touchdown. Suddenly, OSU was only down 27-15.

OSU HB#37 gets the ball across the goalline on a 20-yard touchdown reception.

The Beavers would attempt an onside kick as time was not on their side and the ball bounced off the Aztec and recovered by the Beavers. Rossner quickly led his team down the field largely behind the effort of Catchings. On a fourth-and-goal from the three-yard line, Rossner rolled out and ran it in himself for a three-yard touchdown run which made it 27-22 SDSU.

OSU QB Bryan Rossner runs it in himself for a three-yard touchdown.

The Beavers' offense seemed to finally be clicking but OSU only had 1:30 left in the game. Unfortunately, this time SDSU recovered the onside kick, but OSU did force a field goal which was missed so the Beavers got the ball back with :42 left and one timeout remaining. Too bad that Rossner could not find anybody open and was sacked which led to a third-and-19 deep on their own side of the field. Rossner threw up a prayer to Catchings but the pass was intercepted. San Diego State ran a couple plays from the victory formation and the SDSU students stormed the field as it is not often that San Diego State beats a Pac-10 team. This is a disastrous loss for the Beavers.

Oregon State 22

QB Rossner: 20-34, 222 yds, td, 3 int, 9 car, 53 yds, td
HB Quinn: 17 car, 38 yds
WR Catchings: 9 rec, 111 yds

San Diego State 27

QB Sokoloski: 11-20, 112 yds
HB Sullivan: 21 car, 128 yds, td, 3 rec, 38 yds
CB Hemmings: 4 tkl, 2 int, td

Up Next: Bye, then vs Vanderbilt

[Emac78]

Week 3 Recap

(13)USC gets by (1)Ohio State 27-19,
Ending Win Streak at 28 games

USC HB Marc Tyler with 106 yards and two touchdowns. Despite the loss, Ohio State HB Brandon Saine ran for 198
yards and two touchdowns. USC was able to win despite Trojan QB Aaron Corp's five interceptions.

[b][size=+2]Week 3 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#1 Ohio State 19
#13 USC 27

#24 Arkansas 12
UCF 17

#19 Georgia Tech 28
#23 Virginia Tech 32

[b][size=+2]Top Ten[/size][/b]

1 Oklahoma
2 Florida State
3 Clemson
4 LSU
5 Texas Tech
6 Texas
7 Florida
8 Auburn
9 Ohio State
10 Notre Dame

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

QB Willy Korn (Clemson)
HB Brandon Saine (Ohio State)
WR WR#89 (LSU)
HB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)
QB Cameron Newton (Florida)

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#7 Florida (3-0) at #13 Tennessee (2-0)

Chris: Alright guys. We got an SEC rivalry game today that is always fun to see if you're a fan of college football. Let's send it down to Erin Andrews. Erin do you have a report on Tennessee QB Nick Stephens?


Erin: That's right Chris. I've been told by Phillip Fulmer that Stephens will not be ready to go. That shoulder is still bothering him. He will have to sit this one out. That will leave QB#7 to play today. Oh...and guys do I get a say in who I think will win today?

Chris: Ha ha. We already know who you'll pick. Thanks Erin. So do you think Tennessee can win without Stephens or does it even matter?

Kirk: The Gators have better athletes at just about every position. I just don't see how Tennessee can win this one. I expect Urban Meyer to get HB Chris Rainey and WR Deonte Thompson involved early and get out to a big lead. But where the difference really lies is in that Gator defense. With guys like DE Carlos Dunlap, OLB A.J. Jones, and FS Major Wright. These guys will be future Pro-Bowlers. I think Florida wins big. (Crowd boos!) Not to mention Tennessee has to work with a backup QB since QB Nick Stephens will not be able to go because of a bruised shoulder.

Lee: Yep, yep. Florida has great athletes. Especially that defense. Give me that. (Lee takes the Gator headgear, then shows it to the crowd enticing more boos. He then throws it away.) Forget about it. (Lee puts on an Orange Tennessee jersey as the crowd cheers.) Tennessee has two tremendous safeties in FS Dennis Rogan and SS Eric Berry. They make some big plays and these fans help lead the Vols to a big upset. (Crowd is extatic.) Go Vols! Go Tennessee! (Lee puts on the Smokey headgear.)

[Emac78]

Week 4 Recap (Oregon State Bye Week)

(7)Florida Prevails Over (13)Tennessee in Knoxville 26-21

Gator OLB A.J. Jones had a monster game with 11 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions, including this
game-winning pick-six. Florida WR Deonte Thompson also had a big game with seven receptions for 147 yards and
a touchdown.

[b][size=+2]Week 4 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#14 Georgia 46 (OT)
#4 LSU 43

#3 Clemson 16
Boston College 18

#15 Indiana 28
#12 Pittsburgh 48

#7 Florida 26
#13 Tennessee 21

#21 Virginia Tech 28
#2 Florida State 27

[b][size=+2]Top Ten[/size][/b]

1 Oklahoma
2 Texas Tech
3 Florida
4 Texas
5 Auburn
6 Ohio State
7 Notre Dame
8 Florida State
9 USC
10 LSU

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

HB Brandon Saine (Ohio State)
HB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)
HB Vondrell McGee (Texas)
WR WR#89 (LSU)
WR Deonte Thompson (Florida)

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#2 Texas Tech (4-0) at #1 Oklahoma (2-0)

Chris: We've got a dandy here in Norman where the Sooners will try and stay on top of the polls. But in their way are the undefeated Red Raiders of Texas Tech. Number one versus number two. Does it get any better than this? It looks like that collar bone injury to Oklahoma QB#5 is as serious as has been reported. Erin Andrews has more on the QB situation for the Sooners.


Erin: Chris, I've learned from Bob Stoops that QB#5 has a broken collar bone which should keep him out for not only this game, but he should be out five weeks. I talked with QB#6 who will start his first game today for Oklahoma. He says he is psyched and ready to go.

Chris: Alright Erin. Thanks for the report. So does that change your minds about how this game could go for the Sooners?

Kirk: In a game as huge as this, I want to have an experienced QB and I think that puts the Sooners at a huge disadvantage especially in a game which is likely to be a shootout. However, Oklahoma has such good athletes on both sides of the field. Especially on defense. The game will come down to who can pass block the best as it will come down to which QB can stay on his feet and make the important passes. I'm going with the young, sophomore Texas Tech QB Allen Wright to win a huge game. (Crowd boos.)

Lee: The Sooners have a spectacular defense. This game is not going to come down to defense though. It is going to come down to has the ball last and I think...Kirk...I think you're right. Allen Wright is the better QB and he will lead his team to a huge victory and the Red Raiders will be the number one team in the country next week. (Lee puts on Raider Red head gear.) (Crowd boos!)

[Emac78]

Vanderbilt (0-3) at Oregon State (0-2)

Corvallis, OR - The Beavers had such optimism heading into this season but after dropping games to Utah and San Diego State, OSU got a badly needed home game against Vanderbilt. Surprisingly, FSN actually broadcasted this game so people were able to watch two winless teams. Reser Stadium was unenthusiastic and had a lot of empty seats as the Beavers' season seemed to be spiraling downward quickly. This was a must win for the Beavers.

Vandy seemed to have some offensive rhythm early. That was until Vandy QB Jared Funk tried to pitch the ball to HB Gaston Miller in traffic. The ball fell to the turf where OSU DT Mitchel Hunt scooped up the ball and was able to return it to the Vandy 37-yard line. The Beavers were in business. The crowd was awakened and ready to see the Beavers roll. Unfortunately, the inept offense continued its ineptness as OSU K Justin Kahut was forced to kick a 31-yard field goal that gave Oregon State its first lead of the season 3-0.

Both offenses struggled and looked like winless teams until the Beavers' third possession. That is when OSU HB Marvin Quinn found some room to the outside, got a good block downfield by WR Darrell Catchings, and Quinn was able to take it the the house for a 60-yard touchdown run to put OSU up 10-0.

OSU HB Marvin Quinn breaks one to the outside and takes it all the way for a 60-yard touchdown.

The Beavers would also tack on a 45-yard field goal on their next possession to increase the lead 13-0. However, Vandy finally showed some life and was able to get a 41-yard field goal of their own to make it 13-3 OSU. The half would end with a Commodore pass deep downfield which was intercepted by OSU CB David Ross to make it 13-3 OSU at halftime.

Vanderbilt came out in the second half and Vandy QB Jared Funk marched his team right down the field, scoring on a connection in the corner of the endzone to WR Joel Thompson from nine yards out to cut the OSU lead to 13-10. Reser Stadium was getting nervous.

Vandy QB Jared Funk connects with WR Joel Thompson for a nine-yard touchdown.

Oregon State was still unable to get anything going offensively. It was not OSU QB Bryan Rossner's fault as his receivers had a total of seven drops in the game. But the Beaver defense stepped up and made a play when OSU OLB Dwight Roberson picked off a pass over the middle of the field which seemed to reenergize the Beavers and give them some momentum.

OSU OLB Dwight Roberson intercepts a pass.

The Beavers were now knocking on the door as they got into the red zone thanks to Roberson's interception. On third-and-goal inside the five-yard line, OSU QB Bryan Rossner rolled out off of playaction, and threw to TE Gabe Miller on an out pattern but the ball was badly thrown behind his receiver where it was intercepted by Vandy SS Sean Richardson.

Vandy SS Sean Richardson intercepts a pass in the red zone.

The game would come down to a 57-yard field goal attempt for Vanderbilt. The ball was kicked well but stayed too far to the right and the Beavers hung on to win their first game of the season 13-10 in the most unimpressive fashion.

Vandy kicker misses a 57-yard field goal as the Beavers hold on to the victory.

OSU coach Mike Riley on his team's performance, "This was not a pretty win but it gives us some momentum heading into conference play. We aren't off to a good start but our non-conference games don't affect our conference record so it's like starting all over. We'll get it going next week."

Vanderbilt 10

QB Funk: 25-33, 204 yds, td, 2 int, fl
HB Miller: 13 car, 43 yds
WR Thompson: 8 rec, 71 yds, td
SS Richardson: 7 tkl, int, int, defl

Oregon State 13

QB Rossner: 14-30, 136 yds, int
HB Quinn: 21 car, 123 yds, td
WR Catchings: 6 rec, 66 yds
OLB Roberson: 10 tkl, 3 tfl, int, defl

Up Next: vs Cal

[Emac78]

Week 5 Recap

(1)Oklahoma outscores (2)Texas Tech 54-36

OU QB#6 threw for 345 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Sooners to a win over No. 2 Texas Tech. Tech's
QB Allen Wright threw for 510 yards and four touchdowns, but had six interceptions. Texas Tech WR Blake Kelley
had an awesome game with 13 receptions for 201 yards, and three touchdowns.

[b][size=+2]Week 5 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#18 Tennessee 14
#5 Auburn 41

#14 Clemson 10
Wake Forest 13

#22 Penn State 14
#6 Ohio State 31

Michigan 38 (OT)
#25 Illinois 35

#8 Florida State 35
#24 Georgia Tech 14

#2 Texas Tech 36
#1 Oklahoma 54

[b][size=+2]Top Ten[/size][/b]

1 Oklahoma
2 Florida
3 Texas
4 Auburn
5 Ohio State
6 Notre Dame
7 Florida State
8 Texas Tech
9 USC
10 LSU

[b][size=+2]Heisman Watch[/size][/b]

HB Brandon Saine (Ohio State)
HB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)
HB Vondrell McGee (Texas)
WR Deonte Thompson (Florida)
QB D'Vontrey Richardson (Florida State)