Go Beavs: An Oregon State Dynasty

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#3 Texas (4-0) vs #1 Oklahoma (3-0)

Chris: We have another Big-12 matchup between two top five teams. This time it's the Red River Rivalry here at the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma was able to win a shootout against Texas Tech last week. How do you guys think this one will pan out?

Kirk: What really impressed me last week about Oklahoma was their defense. Yeah...I know they gave up a lot of points but they got six interceptions. Now, they face another young QB in Texas QB James Minor. Texas will need to get their Heisman contender, HB Vondrell McGee involved early and often to have any chance to win this game. I expect to see the Longhorns try and establish a run game to take some pressure off of Minor. But the Sooners are just too good. Today is the day that McGee's Heisman contention comes to an end. Oklahoma's QB#6 did enough to convince me that he is for real and he leads his team to another victory.

Lee: Excellent pick Kirk. But you're forgetting one thing. That Texas QB James Minor is an excellent athlete. I mean have you seen the speed he has? He won't be able to do it himself though. Minor's accuracy has not been too sharp and the Longhorns have not faced any real competition so far. The Sooners win but it will be closer than the experts think. (Lee puts on an Oklahoma helmet.)

[Emac78]

California (3-2) at Oregon State (1-2)

Corvallis, OR - The Beavers finally got one in the win column last week but it was against Vanderbilt. Now, they would face the toughest opponent so far in the Cal Golden Bears. It would be a chance to get off to a good start in the conference and put the first games behind them. Cal would be without their senior standout CB Darian Hagan who is still suffering from a broken wrist, so it would be interesting to see if OSU could take advantage of any mismatches.

It actually looked good early for the Beavers as Cal QB Kevin Riley lost the ball on a sack but upon further view, Riley's knee was down. Cal would be forced to try a 55-yard field goal which was missed. The OSU offense was running on all cylandars in the opening possession as OSU QB Bryan Rossner, off of playaction threw deep on a crossing route to WR Darrell Catchings for a 32-yard touchdown as the Beavers had the early lead 7-0.

OSU WR Darrell Catchings catches the ball on a deep crossing route for a 32-yard touchdown.

Cal would respond with a 37-yard field goal to make it 7-3 OSU going into the second quarter. On Cal's next possession, Riley would find himself under pressure and threw a pass over the middle that was intercepted by OSU MLB Will Darkins. The turnover would set up a 21-yard field goal for Oregon State to give the Beavers a 10-3 lead.

The Golden Bears got it going on their next possession, finishing off a drive when Riley threw a screen pass to HB Will Kapp that was set up beautifully and the runningback was able to find the endzone on the 25-yard touchdown to tie the game 10-10.

Cal HB Will Kapp finds the end zone on the 25-yard screen play.

The Beavers would be given good field position again as Riley threw another interception. This time it would be sophomore SS Matt Arnold with the pick who was in for SS Cameron Collins who was briefly out with a minor injury. Rossner would hook up with what is becoming his favorite receiver, WR Darrell Catchings on a three-yard touchdown pass in the middle of the endzone for Catchings second touchdown of the game to put the Beavers up 17-10 at halftime.

Catchings with his second touchdown to give OSU the lead.

As the second half opened, Cal would get in position for a 30-yard field goal but it was kicked off the upright. The Beavers were again starting to struggle on offense as the running game just could not get going and Cal OLB Michael Mohamed just seemed to be making plays all over the field. OSU CB Mike Mayes would pick off Riley but OSU was unable to capitalize on the turnover. The game would move into the fourth quarter with the score still 17-10 OSU.

Cal would get in position to kick a 42-yard field goal and it went through the uprights but there was holding call that backed it up ten yards so the kicker missed the 52-yard field goal attempt. Again, the Beavers just could not take advantage of the opportunity to put Cal away. Cal QB Kevin Riley would finally hook up with WR#80 on a crossing route for a 39-yard touchdown to tie the game up at 17-17.

Cal WR#80 with a 39-yard touchdown reception to tie the game up.

On the ensuing possession for Oregon State, Rossner would find himself under pressure, and threw one up for grabs and Cal FS Marc Anthonymade the interception. The turnover would lead to a toss to HB Will Kapp where the nobody on OSU could make a tackle so Kapp took into the house for a 31-yard touchdown to give Cal a 24-17 lead.

Cal HB Will Kapp breaks off a 31-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing kickoff, Catchings would return it all the way to the Cal 40-yard line. Rossner would connect with Catchings on a screen pass for a big gain and then TE Gabe Miller would make a catch over the middle to put the Beavers in the red zone. OSU HB Marvin Quinn took the handoff and barrelled his way right through the middle and fought his way in for a game-tieing 11-yard touchdown run to make it 24-24 with only 2:24 left in the game.

OSU HB Marvin Quinn fights his way in for a game-tieing 11-yard touchdown run.

Cal QB Kevin Riley took no time moving his team down the field but the OSU defense was able to force a 52-yard field goal that Cal K Andre Vinson booted it through the uprights to give Cal the 27-24 lead with 1:27 left to go.

It would be up to the young sophomore QB Bryan Rossner to get his team in position to get a field goal. Rossner would hook up with Catchings on a short crossing route but Catchings was able to run all the way to the Cal 23-yard line where he was forced out of bounds with :50 left. Unfortunately the Beavers could not get it into the endzone and were forced to try a 41-yard field goal with :02 left in regulation. It would be up to OSU K Justin Kahut to tie the game and Kahut nailed it perfectly though the uprights to tie the game 27-27 and send it to overtime.

Cal would have the ball first and it took them exactly one play to score as Riley on a playfake threw over the middle of the field to WR#80 on a post route for a 25-yard touchdown to put Cal ahead 34-27. The Beavers' possession did not start off well as they found themselves in a fourth-and-12 situation at the 27-yard line. Rossner probably made his best pass of the season as he threw a clutch pass over the middle to TE Gabe Miller for a first down. It would set up a touchdown pass to HB Marvin Quinn in the front corner of the endzone to tie the game back up 34-34.

The Beavers would have the ball first in double overtime and the offense would march down the field, and FB Ryan McCants fought his way in for a one-yard touchdown to give OSU the 41-34 lead. If the OSU defense could stop Cal, OSU would win. On third down from the 20-yard line, Cal QB Kevin Riley threw a beautiful pass to WR#83 in front of the front corner pylon for a 20-yard touchdown to tie the game back up 41-41 as they were clearly taking advantage of the Beaver true freshman CB Mike Mayes.

Cal would have the ball first in triple overtime and it took them one play to score as Riley threw a screen pass to HB Will Kapp which was taken all the way to the house for a 25-yard touchdown much like the screen score earlier in the game to give Cal the lead again. The OSU defense was able to stuff Kapp on the two-point conversion as teams are forced to go for two now that it was in triple overtime so Cal was ahead 47-41. Oregon State would find themselves with a fourth-and-three situation where Rossner was forced out of the pocket. Rossner ran forward full speed, trying to pick up the first down but was stood up right in front of the magical yellow line on television. The chain gang came out to measure. Everything came down to the measurement. The chain was pulled open and the ball was just a chain-link short of the first down. The Cal team rushed the field in celebration as the Golden Bears escaped Corvallis with a huge conference win. For Oregon State, could the season get off to a more dismal start?

OSU QB Bryan Rossner is stood up just in front of the first down line.

California 47 (OT)

QB Riley: 25-40, 333 yds, 5 td, 3 int
HB Kapp: 19 car, 96 yds, td
WR WR#80: 4 rec, 93 yds, 2 td
WR Tucker: 7 rec, 82 yds
WR WR#83: 5 rec, 65 yds, 2 td
OLB Mohamed: 12 tkl, 5 tfl, 3 sk

Oregon State 41

QB Rossner: 24-35, 281 yds, 3 td, int
HB Quinn: 26 car, 64 yds, td, 3 rec, 19 yds, td
TE Miller: 9 rec, 112 yds
WR Catchings: 8 rec, 104 yds, 2 td
CB Mayes: 8 tkl, tfl, int, defl

Up Next: vs Washington State

[Emac78]

Week 6 Recap

(1)Oklahoma comes up short against (3)Texas
as the Longhorns win 27-22

OU QB#6 leads a last minute drive but comes up short in the last few seconds on this sack. Texas sophomore DT
Henry Manning had an impact game, recording three sacks. OU OLB Travis Lewis with 16 tackles and an interception
for the Sooners. Texas Heisman contender, HB Vondrell McGee with a solid performance, rushing for 81 yards with
five receptions for 18 yards.

[b][size=2]Week 6 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#18 Kansas State 36 (OT)
Kansas 29

#20 Wisconsin 35
#24 Michigan 23

#3 Texas 27
#1 Oklahoma 22

#15 Nebraska 24
#8 Texas Tech 32

Alabama 24
#11 Georgia 17

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

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

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

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

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#14 LSU (4-1) at #2 Florida (6-0)

Chris: We've got a big time SEC matchup between No. 2 Florida and No. 14 LSU here in the swamp. LSU's lone loss came at the hands of Georgia in overtime and the Tigers were barely able to come out victorious against Mississippi State last week. The Gators have really gotten it going since beating Tennessee. Let's turn it over to Erin as she has a report on LSU DE Sidell Corley.


Erin: That's right. I talked to the trainers about Corley. It appears that he is listed as questionable for today's game. It will come down to a game-time decision to see whether he goes today.

Chris: Alright Erin. Well, that is a big blow for LSU if he can't suit up. How do you guys think this one will play out?

Kirk: I think "the hat" Les Miles will have a defensive gameplan to limit Florida HB Chris Rainey and WR Deonte Thompson. LSU OLB Kelvin Sheppard will be the difference maker as well as SS Harry Coleman who I think will be good for at least one interception today. And LSU WR#89 has a big day with possession receptions to keep the chains moving as LSU comes out of the swamp with a victory. (Crowd boos!)

Lee: Not so fast my friend. Florida is too good today especially here in front of these crazy fans! LSU has a very young defensive line and if Corley can't play. Good night sweetheart. LSU will not be able to generate pressure without blitzing and Urban Meyer will find ways to exploit those coverages for big gains for Rainey and Thompson. I say Florida runs them out of the building and wins big! (Lee puts on the Gator headgear and does the gator chomp.) (Crowd cheers!) Go Gators! Go Gators!

[Emac78]

Washington State (3-1) at Oregon State (1-3)

Corvallis, OR - When Beaver fans looked at the schedule before the season started, they would have figured OSU to come out of non-conference play undefeated against Utah, San Diego State, and Vanderbilt, but it has not worked out like that. With the only win coming against a horrible Vandy team and a triple overtime loss to Cal last week, the season seemed to be getting away from OSU. The Beavers would face a surprisingly good Cougar squad as WSU coach Paul Wulff has really gotten the most out of his team. Their lone loss came last week against USC.

WSU suffered an early setback as their HB Johnny Mullins left after his first carry with bruised ribs that forced him to miss the rest of the game. The Cougars moved the ball pretty well on their first possession. When the drive stalled just outside the red zone, WSU coach Paul Wulff decided to go for it on fourth-and-inches but came up short so OSU had the momentum early. The Beavers would come out with a physical gameplan as it appeared OSU coach Mike Riley was determined to get a running game going. The drive would stall inside the red zone and OSU was forced into a 24-yard field goal to give them a 3-0 lead.

On the ensuing possession for Oregon State, the offense continued moving the ball methodically downfield in west coast fashion all the way into the red zone where QB Bryan Rossner threw to an open WR Darrell Catchings, but the ball was not on target, and was picked off by WSU CB#34. The Beavers had used up a ton of time and had only three points to show for it. After Catchings made the tackle, he ripped off his chin strap in frustration as he may very well made his way into the endzone.

OSU QB Bryan Rossner's pass is not on target to WR Darrell Catchings, and is picked off by WSU CB#34.

The Cougars were only able to get themselves into field goal position as they attempted a 48-yard field goal but the kick was not on target. The rest of the second quarter saw some pretty bad football as neither team could get anything going on offense. The Cougars would attemp a last minute drive at the end of the half but that proved to be a bad decision as WSU QB J.T. Levenseller threw a deep ball up for grabs in the middle of the field where it was intercepted by OSU FS James Dockery and taken all the way back for a pick-six as the first half came to a close. The Beavers would take a 10-0 lead into the locker rooms at halftime but could not be pleased with their performance.

OSU FS James Dockery comes up with a pick-six at the end of the first half.

The OSU offense came out in the third quarter and did not look a whole lot better though HB Marvin Quinn did start busting some first down runs which led to a 53-yard field goal that just barely crossed the crossbar to put OSU on top 13-0.

The Cougars mounted their best drive of the game all the way into the red zone but the Beavers' defense had a tremendous goalline stand stopping WSU FB#33 right at the goalline. At least the defense was playing well. The Beavers put a nice drive together, taking it all the way from their own one-yard line to the red zone. Near the end of the third quarter, Rossner could not find anybody open and scrambled out of the pocket, running downfield. The sophomore QB made it all the way into the endzone where he was tackled but he was in the endzone so it was a touchdown but wait...Rossner lost control of the ball and the Cougars recovered so the Beavers had marched all the way down the field only to turnover the ball.

OSU QB Bryan Rossner tries to run it in but fumbles just in front of the goalline.

It did not seem to matter if OSU could not score since as bad as the Beavers were on offense, the Cougars were actually worse. WSU would attempt a fourth down conversion from midfield but it failed. It would lead to an OSU 44-yard field goal attempt but the ball was doinked off the upright. On the ensuing drive for the Cougars, QB J.T. Levenseller would throw an interception to OSU true-freshman CB Mike Mayes which led to a 36-yard field goal to put the Beavers ahead 16-0.

It was late in the fourth quarter and the Beavers just needed to run off some clock and with Quinn having one of his better games it would seem that the game was as good as over. That was until WSU CB Darrin Friberg laid the lumber on Quinn, forcing the fumble, recovering the fumble, and then returning it all the way for a touchdown to put the Cougars on the scoreboard. Wulff would call for two and Levenseller found his TE in the back of the endzone to make it only a one score lead for the Beavers as it was now only 16-8 OSU.

WSU CB Darrin Friberg lays the lumber on OSU HB Marvin Quinn, then scoops up the ball, and takes it for a touchdown.

It would come down to the onside kick for Washington State. Fortunately for the Beavers, OSU recovered the onside kick and was able to run out the clock. The Beavers got their first conference win though they were unable to score a touchdown on offense. OSU coach Mike Riley could not be pleased with the performance, "This was not a pretty win but we'll take it. We need to get more consistency and protect the ball better. I'm really pleased how the defense played and Quinn...I thought had one of his best games with the exception of the fumble. We got a lot of work to do."

Washington State 8

QB Levenseller: 21-34, 193 yds, 2 int
FB FB#33: 10 car, 22 yds
WR Vandenkolk: 5 rec, 59 yds
CB Friberg: 7 tkl, tfl, defl, ff, fumbrec, td

Oregon State 16

QB Rossner: 12-22, 149 yds, int, 8 car, 46 yds, fl
HB Quinn: 28 car, 130 yds, fl
WR Brown: 3 rec, 50 yds
FS Dockery: 6 tkl, int, td

Up Next: at Washington

[Emac78]

Week 7

(14)LSU no match for (2)Florida as Gators win 40-28

[b][size=+2]Week 7 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#10 Pittsburgh 34
#22 USF 21

#7 Oklahoma 41
#16 Kansas State 27

#14 LSU 28
#2 Florida 40

#6 Ohio State 21
#17 Wisconsin 28

#23 Tennessee 38
#21 Georgia 35

#8 Florida State 34
Miami 39

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

1 Texas
2 Florida
3 Auburn
4 Notre Dame
5 USC
6 Arizona State
7 Virginia Tech
8 Pittsburgh
9 Oklahoma
10 Texas Tech

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

HB Vondrell McGee (Texas)
QB D'Vontrey Richardson (Florida State)
HB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh)
HB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)
WR Deonte Thompson (Florida)

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#6 Arizona State (5-0) at #5 USC (6-0)

Chris: Welcome back to the Coliseum. So much for the Pac-10 being weak. We have two top ten Pac-10 teams today. Arizona State was able to shock Georgia in Athens and USC was able to knock off the back-to-back champions, Ohio State. It appears that USC is alittle banged up coming into this game on defense. Erin, do you have any information on that?


Erin: I found out that DT DaJohn Harris who has a strained knee will be listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision. As for FS Marshall Jones who has an MCL sprain. He says he is fine and should play today.

Chris: Thanks Erin. Well, that is good news for the Trojans if they can play today. Both of those guys are major factors in for the Men of Troy. Do you guys think that ASU can pull this one off?

Kirk: I was really impressed how ASU QB Steve Stratton was able to go into Athens and beat the Dawgs. That really says something about him and the Sun Devils. I think it will be a very close game but ASU's kicker Thomas Weber will be the difference. The NFL scouts are raving about this guy. Arizona State wins an extremely close game.

Lee: Boy, you have really jumped off the SC bandwagon Kirk. Weber is a fantastic kicker but it won't matter. USC is a better football team. It wouldn't matter if the Trojans' whole starting team was hurt because their backups are better than most teams' starters. The Trojans win big. (Lee puts on the Trojan headgear and holds up two fingers.) Go Trojans!

[Emac78]

Oregon State (2-3) at Washington (1-4)

Seattle, WA - The new Washington head coach Lane Kiffin has not yet been able to turn around the Husky program as they are 1-4 so far. They would take on a struggling Oregon State team that was just barely able to beat Washington State. If the Beavers want to stay in the Pac-10 race, this would be a game they would need to win.

The Beavers opened the game with probably one of their best drives of the season as OSU marched down the field and were able to score when QB Bryan Rossner dumped it off to HB Marvin Quinn, who spun between two defenders and was able to punch it in for a 15-yard touchdown to put the Beavers on top 7-0. The OSU defense was playing its best game also, as they seemed to be very aggressive, getting pressure on Washington QB Jake Locker from the beginning. Oregon State would get the ball back and Rossner would connect with TE Gabe Miller on a rollout to the left for a nine-yard touchdown pass to put OSU up 14-0 going into the second quarter.

The Huskies did strike back when Locker hooked up with WR#87 for a six-yard touchdown to put Washington on the board down 14-7. It did not take long for the Beavers to respond as Rossner chucked a ball deep downfield to WR Darrell Catchings. The ball was knocked down by the Husky defensive back but Catchings caught the ball on the deflection for a huge 46-yard gain to set OSU up inside the red zone. This has been something that has been missing for OSU this season. The next play saw Quinn find the hole on a counter and take it into the endzone from 13 yards out to put Oregon State ahead 21-7.

OSU WR Darrell Catchings catches the ball off the deflection for a 46-yard gain,
and setting up a 13-yard touchdown run by HB Marvin Quinn.

The OSU defense continued to play well, forcing a Husky punt but Lane Kiffin took a gamble and called a fake punt on his own side of the field. The call paid off, setting up the Huskies into the red zone where they would be forced to kick a 31-yard field goal to make it 21-10 OSU.

Rossner would lead an impressive last-minute drive at the end of the half but the Beavers were unable to get in the endzone and were forced to to kick a 23-yard field goal at the end of the half. Oregon State was ahead 24-10 at halftime.

The third quarter saw the Beaver defense bringing the heat and it was having an effect on Husky QB Jake Locker as he was forced to get the ball out and it would lead to two interceptions. The first one would go to CB David Ross and the second would go to OLB Tom Hansen. The second interception would set up beautiful couter run by Quinn, who was finding the hole well today. Quinn would score on the 23-yard scamper to OSU up 31-10.

On the ensuing possession for Oregon State, Rossner would make his first bad decision as he threw deep over the middle of the field to Catchings on a crossing route but the ball was thrown too far in front for an interception by Husky CB#25. On the very next play, Husky HB#28 was able to find the outside and race in for a 33-yard touchdown. Suddenly, the Huskies were only down 31-17.

Husky HB#28 finds the outside and scores on the 33-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing kickoff, OSU returner Kyle Brown was able to get all the way to the Washington 19-yard line. The special teams play would lead to a seven-yard touchdown run for Quinn on another counter play. This was Quinn's fourth touchdown of the game and it gave Oregon State a commanding 38-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

OSU HB Marvin Quinn finds the endzone for the fourth time on this seven-yard touchdown rush.

The OSU offense continued to make highlight plays in the fourth quarter as Rossner was forced to escape the pocket where he then connected with WR Kyle Brown deep down the field on a post route. Brown made the catch in stride, slipped through a tackle, and took it to the house for a 50-yard touchdown reception, making it 45-17 OSU.

OSU QB Bryan Rossner connects with WR Kyle Brown, who breaks a tackle for a 50-yard touchdown.

Finally, the Beavers sealed the deal when OSU punt returner Darrell Catchings returned it from the 11-yard line, was able to spin between two defender with some help from his blockers. Catchings then zigzagged where he found a lot of open field, made a move, and was off to the races for an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown to put this game away as the Beavers destroyed the Huskies 52-17.

OSU punt returner Darrell Catchings with an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Oregon State 52

QB Rossner: 21-25, 290 yds, 3 td
HB Quinn: 17 car, 96 yds, 3 td, 2 rec, 14 yds, td
WR Catchings: 6 rec, 130 yds, 89-yd prtd
WR Brown: 6 rec, 92 yds, td
CB Ross: 8 tkl, tfl, int, defl

Washington 17

QB Locker: 19-31, 239 yds, td, 2 int
HB HB#28: 12 car, 50 yds, td
WR WR#87: 7 rec, 95 yds, td

Up Next: at Arizona

[Emac78]

Week 8 Recap

(5)USC holds on to a 31-26 victory over (6)Arizona State

USC HB Marc Tyler ran for 145 yards and one touchdown to help lead the Trojans to a close victory over ASU.

[b][size=+2]Week 8 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#18 Nebraska 59
#21 Kansas State 28

#6 Arizona State 26
#5 USC 31

#1 Texas 14
#10 Texas Tech 37

#24 USF 31
#15 West Virginia 17

#19 LSU 21
South Carolina 28

#3 Auburn 17
Mississippi State 20 (OT)

Ole Miss 45
#20 Alabama 24

Miami 31
#25 Georgia Tech 24

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

1 Florida 8-0
2 Notre Dame 7-0
3 USC 7-0
4 Virginia Tech 7-0
5 Wisconsin 7-0
6 Pittsburgh 7-0
7 Texas Tech 6-1
8 Virginia 7-0
9 Texas 6-1
10 Oklahoma 5-1

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

WR Deonte Thompson (Florida)
HB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)
HB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh)
HB Vondrell McGee (Texas)
HB Brandon Saine (Ohio State)

[b][size=+2]Pac-10 Standings[/size][/b]

1 (3)USC: 7-0, 5-0
2 UCLA: 5-2, 4-0
3 (12)Arizona State: 5-1, 2-1
4 [b]Oregon State[/b]: 3-3, 2-1
5 California: 6-2, 3-2
6 Arizona: 4-3, 2-2
7 Oregon: 4-3, 1-3
8 Washington State: 3-3, 1-3
9 Washington: 1-5, 0-4
10 Stanford: 0-7, 0-4

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#5 Pittsburgh (7-0) at #2 Notre Dame (7-0)

Chris: Welcome to South Bend, Indiana where we have two undefeated teams today. The winner of this game can keep their national title hopes alive today. But we're getting ahead of ourselves as Notre Dame still has Auburn and USC on the schedule. And Pittsburgh still will have to get by West Virginia. This will be Notre Dame's first true test. Unfortunately, the Irish did suffer a huge setback last week against Northern Illinois as HB Jonas Gray suffered a pulled hamstring. Erin, do you have a status report on Gray?


Erin: I sure do Chris. It does appear that Jonas Gray will not be able to go today and might miss next week also so that will leave red-shirt freshman David Olsen to carry the load. I did speak with Olsen and he was admittely nervous though he says he's ready to do what he can to help his team today. Back to you Chris.

Chris: Thanks Erin. That could be a big loss for the Irish today. What's your predictions today?

Kirk: Losing HB Jonas Gray for the Irish is a big loss but the red-shirt freshman David Olsen will be going against a weak Pitt defensive line. I don't think the Irish will have any trouble running the ball but their priority will be to have Clausen throw the ball all over the yard. I'm taking the Irish in this one in a very close game. (Crowd cheers.)

Lee: Kirk, don't you know that Pitt has maybe the best tailback in the nation in LeSean McCoy? He's gonna make his plays but it won't matter. The Irish are too good today. McCoy will have a tough time today as that Irish defensive line is strong. I picked these guys to go to the national championship and I'm not jumping off the wagon yet. (Lee puts on a green Irish hat and starts humming the Fighting Irish fight song.) Go Irish!

[Emac78]

Oregon State (3-3) at Arizona (4-3)

Tucson, AZ - Here is a game for the Beavers that could be a measuring stick for how good this team might be. Oregon State and Arizona came into this game with similar resumes so far. A win for Oregon State could help turn the season around and prove that the Washington blowout last week was not a fluke. It will also give OSU some momentum going into next week against USC at Corvallis.

The Wildcats would come into this game without their starting QB and HB. QB Bryson Beirne was still out with his broken foot and standout HB Nicolas Grigsby could not play because of turf toe.

On the Beavers' first possession, they looked pretty good. OSU was able to methodically move into the red zone but the drive came to a sudden ending when OSU QB Bryan Rossner tried to throw to WR Darrell Catchings over the middle of the endzone but Arizona MLB Zander Fabbri snatched the ball out of the air for an interception. However, the Wildcats could not do much of anything on offense. The OSU defense seems to have had that lightbulb turned on and has started to play tremendously. The Beavers would get the ball back with some good field position and OSU would finish off a drive when HB Marvin Quinn took a handoff on a power-o play. Quinn made his way to the outside and fought his way into the endzone from nine yards out to put OSU on top 7-0.

OSU HB Marvin Quinn fights his way in for a nine-yard touchdown run.

It would not be long before OSU found themselves back in the red zone. It would come down to fourth-and-one at the 4-yard line. Quinn carried the ball up the gut and ran through a big hole straight into the endzone for his second touchdown giving Oregon State a 14-0 lead.

Later, OSU QB Bryan Rossner threw a short pass over the middle to Quinn who made his way in for his third touchdown on the 17-yard reception to put OSU up 21-0.

OSU QB Bryan Rossner finds HB Marvin Quinn over the middle for a 17-yard touchdown reception.

Just as it seemed it could not get any worse for the Wildcats, QB Nick Foles threw a deep pass over the middle of the field at the end of the half that was picked off by true freshman CB Mike Mayes. The five-star prospect showed some nice moves and was able to return it all the way back for a pick-six to give OSU a 28-0 lead at halftime.

OSU CB Mike Mayes gets by a mistackle to take the interception back for a touchdown at the end of the half.

The other OSU CB David Ross would get into the action early in the third quarter as Ross caught an interception of his own. The turnover would set up a 42-yard field goal for Justin Kahut putting OSU up 31-0. The Wildcats would end the shutout when QB Nick Foles scored on a QB sneak at the goalline to put Arizona on the scoreboard but down 31-7.

In the fourth quarter, OSU was unable to punch it into the endzone in the red zone and settled for an 18-yard chip-shot to give OSU a 34-7 lead. Near the end of the game Rossner hooked up with WR Darrell Catchings on a short crossing pattern where Catchings got to the sideline, made a spin move as he left two defenders behind him, and took it to the house for a 69-yard touchdown to close out this one 41-7 for the Beavers.

OSU WR Darrell Catchings with a 69-yard touchdown reception near the end of the game.

Arizona coach Mike Stoops was not happy at the end of the game as he thought Oregon State ran up the score at the end. "Why in the hell did they keep their starters in at the end of the game and then pass the ball?" Stoops asked after the game. "The game was already over. That just shows no class at all."

"We've got a young quarterback and I'm just trying to get him as much experience as I can," Riley responded when asked about running up the score. "We did take out our starters after that play. I always want my team to be playing at our highest level so I don't really see it the same way as some of you might."

It is certain Oregon State will not be running up the score next week as USC is coming to town to avenge back-to-back losses to the Beavers. The Beavers will have another chance to play spoiler against the undefeated Trojans.

Oregon State 41

QB Rossner: 23-29, 286 yds, 2 td, int
HB Quinn: 25 car, 66 yds, 2 td, 5 rec, 76 yds, td
WR Catchings: 5 rec, 90 yds, td
CB Mayes: 6 tkl, int, td

Arizona 7

QB Foles: 18-27, 131 yds, 2 int
HB Salum: 7 car, 31 yds
WR Dean: 4 rec, 48 yds
MLB Fabbri: 10 tkl, tfl, int

[Emac78]

Week 9 Recap

(2)Notre Dame wins nail-biter in overtime 37-34 over (5)Pitt

Notre Dame HB David Olsen celebrates his game-winning touchdown run in overtime.

Notre Dame had a meltdown in the fourth quarter as they squandered a 21-point lead, letting Pitt tie the game. The Irish had a chance to win with a short field goal at the end of regulation but it was kicked off the upright. Despite all that, Notre Dame HB David Olsen led his team to victory with 153 yards on the ground and scoring three touchdowns, including the game-winning touchdown run in overtime. Heisman hopeful Pitt HB LeSean McCoy was bottled up on the ground for only 20 yards but had six receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown reception. Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen threw for 385 yards but had one interception while Pitt QB Pat Boskick passed for 422 yards with three touchdowns but had four interceptions.

[b][size=+2]Week 9 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#5 Pittsburgh 34
#2 Notre Dame 37 (OT)

#22 Illinois 7
#21 Penn State 44

#23 Alabama 43
#20 Tennessee 28

#8 Texas Tech 10
#25 Kansas State 34

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

1 Florida 8-0
2 Notre Dame 8-0
3 USC 7-0
4 Virginia Tech 8-0
5 Wisconsin 8-0
6 Virginia 7-0
7 TCU 8-0 (23 game winning streak)
8 Texas 7-1
9 Oklahoma 6-1
10 Pittsburgh 7-1

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

WR Deonte Thompson (Florida)
HB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)
HB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh)
QB Star Jackson (Alabama)
HB Vondrell McGee (Texas)

[Emac78]

Game of the Week
#2 Notre Dame (8-0) at #12 Auburn (7-1)

Chris: Welcome back to Auburn, Alabama where the No. 2 Fighting Irish have come into the most hostile crowd they will see all season. (Crowd goes crazy.) This has upset alert written all over it for the Irish. We'll get to the prediction to this game later but right now let's talk about another top team that is on upset alert today. The Men of Troy are coming into hostile Reser Stadium in Corvallis to take on Oregon State. A place that USC has not had a whole lot of success in recent years. The Beavers have won back-to-back games against the Trojans, including a win last year in the Coliseum. Do you guys think that the Beavers can pull off another upset here?

Kirk: I just don't see it happening this time. Oregon State is playing a lot better since their opening debacle but USC just has better athletes at every position.

Lee: Yep. Oregon State won't pull it off. You know they lost to San Diego State? Any team that loses to the Aztecs is not going to beat USC. USC wins but it will be closer than the experts think.

Chris: I don't know. I think you might be underestimating the Beavers. Alright. That leaves us to talk about the big game we have here. Notre Dame won last week despite practically gift-wrapping the win for Pitt. But behind the running of HB David Olsen, the Irish squeaked out a victory. Erin, do you know whether HB Jonas Gray will be able to play today.


Erin: Nope. It looks like Gray will have to sit this one out again. He is very frustrated that he is unable to suit up but Olsen is a lot more confident after his great game last week. Look for a good effort out of him. Back to you guys.

Chris: Thanks Erin. Well, Olsen filled in nicely last week but will he be able to do it again? It's time for your predictions.

Kirk: Notre Dame nearly gave away the game last week on their homefield. HB David Olsen had a great game last week but this Auburn defense is much better. Especially a long the defensive line. I think the noise of this stadium will play a huge role today and the Tigers win by two touchdowns. (Crowd is extatic.)

Lee: This crowd is great isn't it? That's why I picked...(Lee pulls out the Tiger headgear waves it at the crowd, enticing them) Not so fast! (Lee throws it back and receives a chorus of boos.) Auburn lost to Mississppi State. MSU is good but they aren't that good. The Tigers lose today! Old Charlie Weis will have them ready for this game after the meltdown they had last week. Plus, we need the Irish to win to set up a huge game against USC in a couple weeks. (Lee puts on the green Irish hat and puts his dukes up at the crowd.) Go Irish! Go Irish! (Crowd boos!)

[Emac78]

#3 USC (7-0) at Oregon State (4-3)

Corvallis, OR - It seemed like the Beavers had finally turned their season around after two blowout wins in a row over Washington and Arizona. OSU looked like they would start the customary push at the end of the season. Now, the undefeated No. 3 USC Trojans came to town looking to avenge back-to-back losses to the Beavers. The Trojans have really struggled in Corvallis in recent years as Oregon State has won three of the last four games. It would be an opportunity for the Beavers to spoil an undefeated season for USC and it could really catapult the Beavers into conference contention. A loss would send the team back to mediocrity. Reser Stadium was fired up for this one as it was televised on ABC in front of a national audience.

Both defenses were playing well in the first quarter as the only scoring opportunity came on a USC 45-yard field goal attempt that was missed badly. The game moved into the second quarter with no score.

The OSU offense was playing quite well as QB Bryan Rossner seemed to really be in the zone. The Beavers would eventually score on a 1-yard touchdown run by HB Marvin Quinn as he punched it in to put OSU on top 7-0 igniting the already frenzied crowd. It would not take long for the Trojans to counter back when QB Aaron Corp playfaked to HB Marc Tyler, and was could not find anybody open so Corp elected to take it in himself for a 1-yard touchdown. However, the extra point was wide right so the Trojans trailed 7-6.

On Oregon State's next possession, Rossner hooked up with TE Gabe Miller who made a nice leaping catch, then made his way all the way into the red zone on the 57-yard gain. The play set OSU up into the red zone where a rare option run by Rossner found the sophomore QB taking it into the endzone by himself to put OSU ahead 14-6.

OSU TE Gabe Miller makes a nice catch and is able to make it a 57-yard gain, setting up a Rossner touchdown run.

Rossner would move the Beavers back in scoring position at the end of the half where Quinn found the endzone on another 1-yard touchdown run to put OSU up 21-6 at halftime. Reser Stadium was feeling pretty confident that the Beavers could pull off the upset again.

Whatever USC coach Pete Carroll said to his team at halftime really worked because the Trojans came out fired up. Corp hit HB Marc Tyler on a dumpoff pass. Tyler broke three tackles for a huge gain, setting up the Trojans in the red zone where Corp threw to an open WR#12 over the middle of the field for a 17-yard touchdown cutting the OSU lead to 21-13.

The Beavers would not help themselves any on the ensuing possession as Rossner was forced to scramble and was popped in the open field by USC sophomore MLB Michael Hall, forcing a fumble that the Trojans recovered. Rossner has shown his mobility quite a few times this season but he needs to learn how to hold on to the football as this seems to be becoming a habit.

USC sophomore MLB Michael Hall forces a fumble on Rossner.

The turnover would lead to Corp throwing to TE#81 in the flat where the tightend ran over OSU CB David Ross and walked into the endzone. The 2-point coversion was unsuccessful as Tyler was stuffed by the OSU defensive line to cut the Beavers' lead to only 21-19.

As the fouth quarter opened, the Beavers were forced to settle for a 27-yard field goal as the drive stalled in the red zone putting OSU up only 24-19. The Trojans continued looking great on offense and finished off a drive when Corp found WR#12 wide open on a playaction pass from 6 yards out to give USC the lead 25-24 as the 2-point conversion was unsuccessful. One could hear a collective groan from the stands as the Trojans had erased a 15-point lead.

USC QB Aaron Corp finds a wide open WR#12 in the endzone for a 6-yard touchdown to give the Trojans the lead.

.

To make matters worse, the OSU offense was out of sync and USC would tack on a 20-yard field goal as the Beaver defense came up with a big stand to force the field goal and keep OSU in the game as USC was ahead 28-24 with only 2:55 left to go.

Rossner put on a clinic of how to run OSU coach Mike Riley's offense as the Beavers quickly found themselves in scoring position where HB Marvin Quinn bulled his way in for his third 1-yard touchdown, giving Oregon State a 31-28 lead. Rossner had actually been able to lead his team through adversity and regain the lead against one of the top defenses in the country.

OSU HB Marvin Quinn bulls his way in for his third touchdown giving OSU the lead.

There was still 1:11 on the clock and USC only needed a field goal to tie. Also, the Beavers' defense had not proven that they could stop the Trojans' offense in the second half. Corp led a masterful drive against OSU's defense. OSU defensive coordinator Mark Banker called various different plays from blitzes, zones, press coverage. Nothing seemed to work and the Trojans found themselves in scoring position in a short amount of time. With :07 left in the game, Corp threw to WR Ronald Johnson who broke press coverage and made the 8-yard catch in the endzone as the Trojans had come back in the last few seconds to take the lead 35-31. There would be time for one last prayer as Rossner threw one up for grabs but it was knocked down the Men of Troy remained undefeated as they escaped the upset in Corvallis.

USC WR Ronald Johnson catches the game-winning touchdown with very little time left.

USC 35

QB Corp: 27-37, 348 yds, 4 td, rush td (Pac-10 offensive player of the week)
HB Tyler: 13 car, 40 yds, 3 rec, 79 yds
TE TE#81: 7 rec, 114 yds, td
WR WR#12: 6 rec, 53 yds, 2 td
DE LE#46: 4 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 sk

Oregon State 31

QB Rossner: 24-27, 301 yds, rush td, fl
HB Quinn: 27 car, 63 yds, 3 td
TE Miller: 7 rec, 114 yds

[Emac78]

Week 10

Luck of (2)Notre Dame runs out
as they fall to (12)Auburn 43-25

Auburn OLB Cory Peterson ends any chance of a Notre Dame comeback when he made this interception in the
endzone.

The ND offense looked good all day but could not overcome the turnovers. ND QB Jimmy Clausen threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns, but had four interceptions. ND red-shirt HB David Olsen looked impressive again as he ran for 126 yards but was unable to find the endzone. ND WR#12 had a spectacluar day as he caught nine receptions for 145 yards with two touchdowns.

[b][size=+2]Week 10 Games of the Week[/size][/b]

#24 South Carolina 23
#6 Virginia 35

#2 Notre Dame 25
#12 Auburn 43

#21 Penn State 35
#14 Indiana 21

#22 Kansas State 23
Missouri 41

#4 Virginia Tech 35
#23 Miami 52

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

1 Florida 9-0
2 USC 8-0
3 Wisconsin 9-0
4 Virginia 8-0
5 TCU 9-0 (24 game winning streak)
6 Texas 8-1
7 Notre Dame 8-1
8 Auburn 8-1
9 Pittsburgh 8-1
10 Oklahoma 7-1
(Temple is No. 25 in the Media.)

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

HB LeSean McCoy (Pittsburgh)
WR Deonte Thompson (Florida)
HB Vondrell McGee (Texas)
HB Ryan Williams (Virginia Tech)
QB Andy Dalton (TCU)