Beaver Fever: An Oregon State Dynasty

[Big C-Dub]

best title ever

 

[Rylo]

First player you present to the Hall of Fame committee in this chise is getting voted yes by me. I know this will actually last. Your last one was SICK.

 

[G-men]

holy shit that was a lot of words. great updates emac.

 

[Emac78]

Most of the information came from wikipedia. I originally was just going to do a short little history but I started finding little things that I never knew about and got more and more interested the more I read, and before long it became this long drawn out four part series. I might finish part 4 when I get some time because I kind of left it hanging after the 33-31 upset over USC.

Then I will be making a 2008 recap and maybe a 2009 preview. After that, it will probably not be until early next month until the actual dynasty games start get going.

 

[Emac78]

Okay, the final bit on the history is finally done.

 

[packersfan4eva]

nice update

 

[Emac78]

[size=+3]2008 Recap[/size]​

Oregon State came into the 2008 season with many question marks on both side of the ball. Most importantly, was that the Beavers had to replace their entire front seven on defense. The QB situation did not look very good. Neither Lyle Moevao nor Sean Canfield looked good the previous year. Combined, the two QBs had twice as many interceptions as touchdowns. Plus, OSU would have to fill the shoes of HB Yvenson Bernard. The good news for the Beavers was that WR Sammie Stroughter was given a medical redshirt to play one last year. The schedule did not look favorable either. Oregon State would start the season with two road games against BCS opponents. The only BCS school in the nation to do so. And the first game was a conference game against Stanford.

It was difficult to know what to expect from the Beavers but Stanford did not seem that great of a first test. Aside from the upset over USC the previous year, the Cardinal had been one of the continual doormats of the Pac-10. But Jim Harbaugh, a former QB and friend of Mike Riley with his days with the Chargers, was looking to turn things around. Oregon State played fairly well but struggled to find any running game between Ryan McCants, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Jeremy Francis. However, Stanford HB Toby Gerhart broke big run after big run for a total of 147 yards and scored two touchdowns. However, Oregon State was in the game until on a second-and-16 from the Oregon State 9, Moevao attempted to throw a swing pass to Ryan McCants. Moevao was on the 2 when he threw the ball and it landed on the 1 before rolling out the side of the end zone for a safety that gave Stanford a 22-20 lead. Despite that, the game would hinge on a last chance comeback for Oregon State. Moevao found WR Darrell Catchings on a crossing route where Catchings was able to get to the sideline and tried to dive for the pylon, but fumbled the ball in the end zone for a touchback as the Beavers fell 36-28 to the Cardinal.

A bright spot for the Beavers though was that QB Lyle Moevao looked like a completely different guy from last year as he threw for 404 yards and three touchdowns. WRs Sammie Stroughter and Shane Morales also had huge days. Each receiver had over 150 yards. Stroughter had 12 receptions, 157 yards, and two touchdowns while Morales had 13 receptions, 151 yards, and a touchdown.

[size=-5]Stanford HB Toby Gerhart runs over the Beavers for 147 yards and two touchdowns.[/size]

Highlights of the game and OSU WR Darrell Catchings fumble for a touchback.​

Unfortunately, that was supposed to be the easy of the first two road games because the next game was going to be in Happy Valley as Oregon State had to play Penn State. The game was pretty much over as soon as the Beavers got on the plane. PSU HB Evan Royster had no trouble running over the OSU defense for a total of 141 yards and scored three touchdowns. In addition QB Daryll Clark threw for another three touchdowns as #19 Penn State hammered Oregon State 45-14. If the Beavers could take anything away from this game positively, it would be that it looked like they had found their tailback as Jacquizz Rodgers was able to run for 99 yards and two touchdowns against a very good defense, including an incredible tough 12-yard touchdown where he just ran through the PSU defense.

[size=-5]PSU HB Evan Royster runs throught the OSU defense for 141 yards and three touchdowns.[/size]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hyKW7nuMV8"]YouTube - Jacquizz Rodgers Touchdown @ Penn State[/ame]​

The Beavers would take out their frustrations against Hawai'i at Reser Stadium with a 45-7 beat-down. Even though it was against a rebuilding Hawai'i team after losing their head coach June Jones to SMU and their record-breaking QB Colt Brennan to the NFL, the Beavers looked a lot more confident. Most importantly, they actually remembered to tackle somebody. But the season seemed to slipping away even with the blowout win as #1 USC would be in Corvallis the next Thursday. Oregon State would have a bye the next weekend while USC had to play Ohio State in the Coliseum. The two teams were ranked #1 and #2. USC walked away with a rather easy win despite all of the hype that led up to the game. Though the Buckeyes were without their tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells.

Southern Cal showed up to Corvallis with only a short week to get ready after their huge win over Ohio State. The Trojans had no idea what kind of buzz saw they were running into at Reser Stadium that night. Despite Reser Stadium not fully sold out, the atmosphere was electric as it was the first time that ESPN had broadcasted a game on Thursday night in Corvallis. The Beavers on the otherhand had a long week to get ready for the game.

Oregon State showcased their emerging star tailback Jacquizz Rodgers who was able to run for 186 yards and scored two touchdowns in the game. OSU built a 21-0 lead in the first half. But one play that was the turning point of the game was when the Beavers were in the red zone as the 2nd quarter was nearly over. QB Lyle Moevao threw a pass in the corner of the end zone that should have been intercepted by USC DB Kevin Thomas but the ball was tipped off his hands and into the hands of OSU WR James Rodgers to put the Beavers ahead 21-0 at halftime.

In the second half, USC mounted a comback but with less than three minutes in the game, a Mark Sanchez pass was intercepted by OSU safety Greg Laybourn was returned all the way to the 2-yard line on a 28-yard return as the stadium was ecstatic. HB Jacquizz Rodgers would score the 2-yard touchdown to put the Beavers up 27-14 as Justin Kahut missed the extra point. USC would quickly get back on the scoreboard when Mark Sanchez hit WR Patrick Turner on a 14-yard scoring pass to make it 27-21 with 1:19 left to go. But the onside kick failed as the Beavers recovered.

Sheer pandamonium ensued in the stands. After a final kneel down by Moevao, a sea of orange rushed the field as the Beavers had beaten a #1 USC team for the first time since the first Giant Killers of 1967. The game also caused havoc on the national polls as USC was a clear favorite for the national title after the Ohio State game. Now, Oregon State with the early USC win, despite a 2-2 record would possibly have a chance at a Rose Bowl. This was definitely not the same team that went to Happy Valley.

[size=-5]OSU HB Jacquizz Rodgers puts up 186 yards and two touchdowns against the USC defense.[/size]

[size=-5]OSU WR James Rodgers catches the tip off of USC DB Kevin Thomas for a touchdown at the end of the 1st half.[/size]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPEhWfwUPTQ"]YouTube - Oregon State UPSETS #1 USC - High Quality - Part 1 - 9/25/08[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73mBFsc9E8s"]YouTube - Oregon State UPSETS #1 USC - High Quality - Part 2 - 9/25/08[/ame]​

The Beavers were riding high after their stunning upset over USC, but they had little time to celebrate because the very next Thursday, Oregon State was in Salt Lake City to play the #15 Utah Utes who were 5-0. This was their "USC" so to speak. The game against Oregon State was the game they had circled on their schedule, knowing that a win over a quality Pac-10 team could catapult them into BCS contention.

With just over two minutes left in the game, the Beavers were up 28-20, but Utah QB Brian Johnson led a quick drive finished off with a 25-yard touchdown pass to WR Bradon Godfrey with 1:29 left in the game to make it 28-26. Now the Utes had to score the two-point conversion. The Utes failed on the attempt but a controversial pass interference was called against Oregon State that gave Utah one more chance. Johnson on the second attempt was able to roll out and run it in himself to tie the game 28-28.

Oregon State tried unsuccessfully to try and get in position for a field goal but unfortunately went three-and-out, taking very little time off the clock. Johnson quickly got the Utes to the OSU 24-yard line where they called a timeout with two seconds left where Louie Sakoda booted the game-winning field goal as time expired, keeping Utah's undefeated season alive with a 31-28 victory in regulation. With the win, Utah became the first team of the year to become bowl eligible with a 6-0 record. Oregon State's special teams really hurt them as the Beavers had taken a 9-3 lead off of an interception return by safety Al Afalava early in the game, but Justin Kahut had missed the extra point. As a result of the failed PAT, Mike Riley went for two twice which both failed, costing the Beavers the win in the end. Utah would finish the season as the only undefeated team in the country with a huge win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

[size=-5]Utah kicker Louie Sakoda with a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation.[/size]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR5lN9W8fs0"]YouTube - Utes score 11 points in 90 seconds to beat Oregon State[/ame]​

After the demoralizing loss to Utah, Oregon State took a long week to get ready for Washington State at Reser Stadium, who was 1-5, their only win coming against an FCS team. QB Lyle Moevao would throw four interceptions but it would not stop the Beavers from scoring a school-record for the most points scored in a Pac-10 game. Eight different Beavers scored a touchdown. Oregon State obliterated Washington State 66-13. It was the third time that season that the Cougars had given up over 60 points.

The next week, Oregon State would head up to Seattle to play the Washington Huskies who had yet to win a game. WR James Rodgers zipped past the Huskies for a total of 216 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in a 34-13 win for the Beavers. The Huskies would not win a single game all season, going 0-12, including losing to what was thought to be an inferior Washington State team in the Apple Cup, the Cougars' only FBS win of the season. With win, OSU improved its record to 4-3, giving the Beavers their first winning record of the season.

[size=-5]OSU WR James Rodgers gains a total of 216 all-purpose yards and scores three touchdowns against the Huskies.[/size]​

After a bye, Oregon State would meet up with their former head coach, Dennis Erickson and the Sun Devils at Reser Stadium. Arizona State came in with a 2-5 record. It was a hard fought game on both sides. OSU QB Lyle Moevao left the game in the 2nd quarter because of a sore shoulder. Sean Canfield stepped in and the team did not seem to miss a beat, throwing for 218 yards with two touchdowns, and one interception. However, ASU QB Rudy Carpenter was able to score a late touchdown pass with :21 left in the game to make it 27-25. On the two-point attempt, Carpenter's pass was intercepted by OSU DE Victor Strong-Butler. With the win, Oregon State joined USC and Cal atop the Pac-10 standings with one loss each.

The next week against UCLA in Pasadena, Jacquizz Rodgers set a Pac-10 rushing record for freshmen and Sean Canfield filled in ably at quarterback to help Oregon State beat UCLA 34-6. The win snapped a five-game losing streak against UCLA. Rodgers ran for 144 yards to increase his season total to 1,089. It is the most ever by a freshman in the conference. He became only the third Pac-10 first-year player to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a season. If the Beavers could run the table against Cal, Arizona, and Oregon in the Civil War, Oregon State would be in the Rose Bowl for the first time since the 1964 season.

[size=-5]OSU HB Jacquizz Rodgers rushes for the most yards ever by a freshman in Pac-10 history with 1,089 rushing yards.[/size]​

The next weekend in Corvallis, the now ranked #23 Oregon State Beavers met up with Cal. Cal was seen as the toughest of the three teams left on Oregon State's schedule. The Golden Bears were looking to avenge their loss last season against Oregon State that cost Cal a chance at being #1. But Beaver fans were smelling the roses at Reser Stadium. Cal took an early lead off of a Kevin Riley touchdown pass, but Oregon State responded with an 86-yard kickoff return by James Rodgers to tie the game 7-7. The Beavers would not look back as Sammie Stroughter would get a big 56-yard punt return to the 2-yard line, leading to a 14-7 lead for the Beavers. Late in the 3rd quarter, Cal HB Jahvid Best would cut the OSU lead to 27-21 with a 65-yard touchdown run. But a pick-six by OSU CB Keenan Lewis with :21 left in the game would the seal the deal as Oregon State kept their Rose Bowl hopes alive with a 34-21 win over Cal.

[size=-5]OSU WR James Rodgers with an 86-yard kick return for a touchdown.[/size]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IXuQsPEIkM"]YouTube - OSU Beavers James Rodgers 86 yd TD kickoff return[/ame]​

#21 Oregon State (7-3) faced a tough Arizona (6-4) team that was already going to a bowl. The Beavers were starting to feel like they were a team of destiny and the national media was starting to push the possibility of Oregon State going to the Rose Bowl. The Beavers controlled their own destiny but the Wildcats were ready for a fight. Oregon State was again forced to start Sean Canfield as Lyle Moevao was again unable to play with a sore shoulder. The Beavers would also be without their standout tailback Jacquizz Rodgers after their second possession.

Arizona was out in front 17-10 midway into the 4th quarter when Canfield threw to a wide-open WR James Rodgers in the end zone. The ball went right through his hands as he dropped sure touchdown pass. But Canfield was not fazed as he would later hit WR Sammie Stroughter in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown pass to cap off a 10-play, 80-yard drive. But Justin Kahut shanked the extra point attempt so the Beavers trailed 17-16 with only 3:58 to play.

With 1:19 left to play, the Beavers got the ball back at their own 20-yard line with no timeouts. On the third play of the drive Canfield found WR Sammie Stroughter wide-open behind the Wildcat secondary for a 47-yard gain. Four plays later, Justin Kahut split the uprights for a game-winning 24-yard field goal to redeem himself after the missed extra point as Oregon State escaped Tucson, winning 19-17, setting up a huge Civil War.

[size=-5]OSU kicker Justin Kahut redeems himself by kicking a 24-yard game-winning field goal.[/size]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcBZerJx9Vs"]YouTube - Finals Plays - Oregon State at Arizona 2008[/ame]​

The 2008 Civil War at Reser Stadium in Corvallis between #23 Oregon (8-3) and #17 Oregon State (8-3) was the most hyped Civil War since 2000. That year, Oregon State knocked Oregon out of the Rose Bowl and the Beavers went to the Fiesta Bowl. Now, Oregon is looking to avenge a two-game losing streak to the rival Beavers, including a loss at Autzen Stadium the previous year. A win for Oregon State would guarantee them a spot in the Rose Bowl likely in a rematch against Penn State. On a side note, if the Beavers had beaten Stanford on the 1st game of the season, Oregon State would already be in the Rose Bowl.

The Beavers would be without HB Jacquizz Rodgers who was still dealing with the shoulder injury he suffered against Arizona. QB Lyle Moevao would start the game, coming back from a shoulder injury of his own. The Ducks were coming off of a bye week. Oregon absolutely crushed Oregon State's dreams of going to a Rose Bowl behind Jermiah Johnson's 219 yards and a touchdown. Johnson was over 200 yards before halftime. LeGarrette Blount also put 112 yards and a touchdown on the Beavers' defense. While QB Jeremiah Masoli threw for 274 yards and scored three touchdowns for the Ducks.

OSU QB Lyle Moevao looked rusty as he threw two costly pick-sixes, but actually put up great numbers, 374 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. In the end, the Beaver defense had no answer for the Oregon offense as the Ducks would put up an astounding 694 yards of total offense as the Ducks destroyed Oregon State 65-38, embarrassing the rival Beavers on their homefield with the Rose Bowl on the line. It was the most points Oregon State had ever given up in a single game. The loss also snapped Oregon State's eight-game winning streak at Reser. It was the first time the Ducks had won in Corvallis since 1996.

The loss did not officially knock the Beavers out of the Rose Bowl, but when UCLA was unable to upset USC in the Battle for the Victory Bell, Oregon State fell out of contention as USC went to the Rose Bowl. The Ducks went to the Holiday Bowl, and Oregon State fell to the Sun Bowl where they were matched up with #20 Pittsburgh.

[size=-5]Oregon HB Jeremiah Johnson runs wild for 219 yards and a touchdown in the Civil War.[/size]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDU_jAcmkS8"]YouTube - No Roses for the Beavers-The Oregon DUCKS blow them out of Reeser Stadium 65-38[/ame]​

At the Sun Bowl, Oregon State (8-4) was without both Jacquizz Rodgers and James Rodgers who both had shoulder injuries. #20 Pittsburgh (9-3) had aruguably the best tailback in the nation in LeSean McCoy but the Beavers shutout the Panthers 3-0 behind a tremendous defensive effort and some inept Panther offense in one of the lowest-scoring bowls in history. Not since Air Force and TCU played to a 0-0 tie in the 1959 Cotton Bowl, had a bowl produced so few points. It was also the lowest-scoring Sun Bowl since a scoreless tie in 1940 between Catholic and Arizona State. There were a combined 20 punts between OSU and Pitt. Pitt QB Bill Stull struggled the whole game, going 7-for-24 for 52 yards and one interception. It was a windy day in El Paso, but there was still no excuse for both teams to score a combined three points in what will be considered one of the worst bowl games ever played. The win did give Mike Riley his fifth bowl victory to give him a perfect 5-0 bowl record. It also kept the Pac-10 undefeated at 4-0 in the bowl season, which USC would make a perfect 5-0 with their victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl.

 

[Emac78]

Yeah, I remember you youngwonda. Actually, that dynasty from last year that started on SG just ended about a month or so ago.

 

[packersfan4eva]

Looks good emac. I remember yours from last year. Should be very good


(PS might not remember me but its YoungWonda from SG)

OOHH, hey there. i remember u

 

[Emac78]

as the biggest beaver fan in the world.. I have to say I love this chise. Great work you make every beaver proud every time you post! I love it

Thanks. It's fantastic to have a fellow Beaver fan on board!

 

[βїģĐмợ]

It sure was nice knocking you guys out of Rose Bowl contention last year. Anyway, still gonna follow this dynasty.

 

[Emac78]

Man, I really can't stand the way easportsworld is set up now. And now they only allow three pics on the server at a time unless you buy slots. And now I can't get my oldest pic to be replaced by the new one. AARRGGHH!!! I'll figure this out later.

 

[packersfan4eva]

^lol

 

[Emac78]

[size=+3]2009 Season Preview[/size]​

When we last left the Beavers, they had just won maybe the most boring bowl in history, the 2008 Sun Bowl against Pittsurgh, 3-0. Before that, the Beavers were blown out by the rival Ducks in the Civil War at Reser Stadium with the Rose Bowl on the line. It was disappointing for Oregon State to have the regular season end the way it did. But it was also a season where the Beavers completely surpassed expectations. Now Oregon State will look to build on that success from last year.

It is still unclear who will start for Mike Riley at QB. Oregon State will have the luxury of having two experienced seniors at QB. Unfortunately, it will still be a difficult choice for Riley as neither has proven to be surperior to the other. Lyle Moevao played well last year but a shoulder injury sidelined him a good portion of the year. Sean Canfield filled in well but he has yet to show the poise and leadership of Moevao. However, Canfield is getting valuable reps at practice while Moevao is still recovering from his shoulder injury. Riley is not even ruling out having a dual-QB system but that is unlikley to happen. But whoever Riley chooses, the offense should be in good hands.

[size=-5]Mike Riley has yet to make a decison between Lyle Moevao (left) and Sean Canfield. (right)[/size]​

Probably the greatest strength of the team is the Beavers' standout tailback Jacquizz Rodgers, who rushed for the most yards in Pac-10 history by a freshman. His vision, agility, and elusiveness allow him to turn any play into a gain for the Beavers. The only question about Rodgers is whether he will be able to stay healthy as he is likely to take a beating this year. Ryan McCants is more of a straight ahead bruiser that will spell Rodgers from time to time. Just look at the scores in the Civil War and last year's Sun Bowl to see how value "Quizz" Rodgers is to the Beavers.

[size=-5]Can Jacquizz Rodgers stay healthy carrying such a load for the Beavers?[/size]​

Big brother James Rodgers will also take some of the load off of his little brother, Jacquizz Rodgers with the fly sweep out of the slot. Look for that play to continue to be a staple for the Oregon State offense. But James Rodgers has also worked on his route running and catching to help him become a true receiving threat. He will have to be a legitimate receiver this year as Oregon State lost their two leading receivers from last year, Sammie Stroughter and Shane Morales. WR Darrell Catchings will look to vill the void and either Moevao or Canfield will need Catchings to play well. So far in spring and fall camp, Catchings has looked sensational. But look for the Beavers to throw to their veteran TEs a lot to make up for the loss of possession receiver Shane Morales.

[size=-5]James Rodgers (left) will need to become a legitimate reciver and Darrell Catchings (right) will need to play well.[/size]​

On the offensive line, the Beavers lost Andy Levitre, a second-round draft pick, along with dependable guard Adam Speer and tackle Tavita Thompson, who started the last half of the season after serving an NCAA suspension. The line will be the biggest challenge on the offensive side, as QBs Lyle Moevao and Sean Canfield, tailback Jacquizz Rodgers, receivers James Rodgers and Darrell Catchings and a host of veteran tight ends are returning. The skill position guys won’t accomplish much, though, without the guys up front. Three line starters return. Junior center Alex Linnenkohl was a major find last season. Another huge find last year was OT Mike Remmer who is now a Sophomore. Remmers was a walk-on who started the first seven games during Thompson’s absence last season. Look for the line to look shaky early on but to improve by the middle of the season. Offensive line assistant coach Mike Cavanaugh will get those guys ready to play.

[b]Offense[/b]

QB Lyle Moevao SR(RS) 88
QB Sean Canfield SR(RS) 87
HB Jacquizz Rodgers SO 93
HB Ryan McCants SO(RS) 87
WR James Rodgers JR 92
WR Darrell Catchings JR 86
WR Casey Kjos JR 84
TE Howard Croom SR 88
TE John Reese SR 86
OT Mike Remmers SO 91
OT Timi Oshinowo JR(RS) 87
G Brent McNeil SR 83
G Burke Ellis SO(RS) 86
C Alex Linnenkohl JR(RS) 87

Gone are DEs Victor Strong-Butler and Slade Norris on the defensive line, who were great book ends off the line. But Oregon State will still have DT Stephen Paea who was at least partly responsible for Butler and Norris getting a combined 22 sacks. In fact, with Paea, look for DEs Ben Terry and Kevin Frahm that role of Butler and Norris. Paea has a knack for disrupting offenses and he will help an inexperinced defense.

[size=-5]DT Stephen Paea will disrupt offenses.[/size]​

Oregon State will also bring back OLBs Keaton Kristick and Keith Pankey. They will be joined by SO(RS) MLB David Pa Aluhi who has very little experience but looks like a good athlete. This group will be led by Kristick who is always around the ball but this group could struggle early on until OSU defensive coordinator can get them up to speed.

[size=-5]OLB Keaton Kristic always seems to be near the ball.[/size]​

The place where the Beavers might have their greatest problem is in the secondary. Oregon State needs to replace all four starters in the secondary, three of whom were taken in the NFL draft. Senior CB Tim Clark is the most experienced of the bunch, having started six games in his career. However, he has been getting torched by QB Sean Canfield and WR Darrell Catchings in practices. Look for this to be an area of weakness that teams will look to exploit all year.

[size=-5]CB Tim Clark is the most experienced player in the secondary with six games.[/size]

The Beavers are being picked by most of the pundits to finish 4th in the Pac-10 but outside of USC, Oregon State has been the most consistent program in the conference. In addition, the schedule starts favorable so Oregon State should get off to a good start unlike past seasons. Their early season test will come against Cincinnati at Reser Stadium. But the Beavers could easily be undefeated when they face the Trojans in Los Angeles in week 8. Unfortunately, Oregon State will face USC, Cal, and Oregon on the road and they are unlikely to be favored in any of those games. Oregon State should be favored in all of their games except for the three just mentioned but will likely stumble somewhere else to finish with an 8-4 record and 4th in the conference but do not underestimate the coaching staff under Mike Riley.

[b]Defense[/b]

DE Ben Terry SR 85
DE Kevin Frahm SO(RS) 86
DT Stephen Paea JR 90
DT Mitchel Hunt JR(RS) 85
OLB Keaton Kristick SR 89
OLB Keith Pankey JR 85
MLB David Pa'aluhi III SO(RS) 86
CB Tim Clark SR 87
CB Patrick Henderson SR(RS) 85
CB James Dockery JR(RS) 82
FS Suaesi Tuimaunei  JR(RS) 86
SS Lance Mitchell SO(RS) 82

[b]Special Teams[/b]

K Justin Kahut JR(RS) 80
P Johnny Hekker SR 83
KR/PR James Rodgers JR 99

[b]Schedule[/b][

1 vs FCS West
2 at UNLV
3 vs Cincinnati
4 vs Arizona
5 at Arizona State
6 vs Stanford
7 Bye
8 at #4 USC
9 vs UCLA
10 at #15 Cal
11 vs Washington
12 at Washington State
13 Bye
14 at #12 Oregon (Civil War)

 

[Emac78]

[size=+3]Game of the Week[/size]

[size=+2]#17 BYU (0-0) at #2 Oklahoma (0-0)[/size]

Chris: Welcome to College Gameday for the first weekend of the 2009 college football season. That's right. Football is back and boy do we have some good games to kick off the year. We are coming to you from Norman, Oklahoma where the the #2 Sooners (crowd cheers) will take on #17 BYU. This is an intriguing matchup to start the season. Brigham Young will have their chance to represent the Mountain West against one of the top teams in college football and they are looking to crash the BCS party like their rival Utah. It would be huge for that conference if they could pull the upset. Of course, these fans know all too well about being upset by a non-BCS team such as they were by Boise State (crowd boos) in one of the most memorable bowl games in history.

Speaking of #14 Boise State and upsets. #12 Oregon Ducks were looking to avenge the loss they took last year against the Broncos in Autzen. But Boise State was able to make it back-to-back wins over the Ducks on Thursday night with a 30-23 victory over Oregon, who many had picked to win the Pac-10 this year. So that has set up the Broncos to already have a chance to be BCS buster.

But today, we will have #13 Georgia looking to move on without Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, taking on #9 Oklahoma State down in Stillwater. The Pokes will look to show the rest of the nation that they are deserving of a top ten ranking. On top of that, Frank Beamer and #10 Virginia Tech will meet #6 Alabama in Tuscaloosa for what should be a great game. So we will get right into it when we get back...

[b]Preseason Rankings[/b]

1 Florida
2 Oklahoma
3 Texas
4 USC
5 LSU
6 Alabama
7 Ohio State
8 Penn State
9 Oklahoma State
10 Virginia Tech
12 Oregon
15 Cal

Chris: Alright, we've talked about the top ten so now who do you guys have in the BCS championship game when it is all said and done?

Kirk: I think it is a no-brainer that you have to pick Florida. Not only do they have Superman himself in Tim Tebow, but they bring back so much talent. The Gators are absolutely loaded. I say the Gators play against Ohio State and Florida makes it back-to-back, beating the Buckeyes again.

Lee: Nice pick Kirk. But come on...Ohio State! No chance sweetheart! Because it's going to be USC that will finish undefeated in the regular season. Everybody's questioning whether they can replace all that talent they lost. Forget about it. Pete Carroll will have that team playing as good as anybody. And Oregon and Cal aren't going to beat them, and Oregon State won't beat them in the Coliseum. But they fall to the mighty Gators in the championship.

Chris: I think we're all going with Florida but a team people might be sleeping on is Texas. I mean they are ranked #3 but a very quiet #3. But Florida will be the champs when it is all said and done. Okay, we'll start previewing this week's games when we come back.

[size=+1]Games of the Week[/size]

#12 Oregon 23
#14 Boise State 30

#13 Georgia at #9 Oklahoma State
Kirk: OSU Lee: OSU

#10 Virginia Tech at #6 Alabama
Kirk: VT Lee: Bama​

Chris: Alright, that brings us to the one we have here between the Big-12 and the Mountain West, BYU and Oklahoma. (crowd cheers) It looks like the headgear is here so it is time to make your selections.

Kirk: Seriously, how many points did Oklahoma score last year? You can't seriously tell me that BYU has the magical answer to slow down the Sooners' offense. The Sooners roll today. (crowd cheers) Bradford is one year wiser and he should be able to torch this Cougar defense.

Lee: You are underestimating BYU and I'm sure Oklahoma is as well. They better not sleep on the Cougars because these guys are better than you think. That HB Harvey Unga is a load to bring down and QB Max Hall, though he is streaky, should play well. But come on...they're going up against the Sooners and their talented defense. Plus, like you said Kirk...how are they going to stop OU's offense. Okay...I'm ready to pick...(Lee puts on the Cosmo headgear as the crowd boos voicestrously) Go BYU! Go Cougars!

 

[goDawgs1433]

Nice update Emac. First game coming soon?

 

[Emac78]

Hopefully, first game should be tonight.

 

[packersfan4eva]

awesome. i can't wait

 

[Emac78]

[size=+2]FCS Portland State at Oregon State[/size]​

Corvallis, OR - Unlike last year where Oregon State kicked off the season with a conference game on the road down in the Bay Area against Stanford, the Beavers started the 2009 season against the FCS Portland State Vikings at Reser Stadium. It was a cloudy evening in Corvallis. The students have yet to start school and the stands were half empty in a meeting where Oregon State was sure to dominate.

Portland State had the ball first and went three-and-out to start the game. The Beavers wasted little time before getting on the scoreboard when WR Casey Kjos, in the slot motioned in where he got the handoff from QB Lyle Moevao on the fly sweep. Kjos was able to turn the corner, made a move on a Viking defender, took off down the sideline until he was tripped up, but not until he had crossed the goal line for a 55-yard touchdown run to put Oregon State on top 7-0.

[size=-5]OSU WR Casey Kjos scores a 55-yard touchdown on the fly sweep.[/size]

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It would not be long before the Beavers had the ball back as the Vikings struggled to get anything on offense. After a couple failed passes from QB Lyle Moevao, HB Jacquizz Rodgers got the handoff on a run to the outside. Rodgers got to the outside, stopped on a dime, juked past one defender, then spun past another defender, before taking it to the house for a 62-yard touchdown, giving the Beavers a 14-0 lead.

[size=-5]OSU HB Jacquizz Rodgers spins by a defender en route to the end zone for a 62-yard touchdown run.[/size]​

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The Vikings continued to fail on offense and the 2nd quarter opened with Jacquizz Rodgers bulling his way into the end zone from two yards away to put OSU up 21-0.

[size=-5]OSU HB Jacquizz Rodgers in with his second touchdown.[/size]​

Portland State continued to just look awful on offense but they did finally manage to move the chains. As bad as the Vikings looked offensively, at least they had not turned over the ball. However, just as the Vikings looked like they were about to cross midfield, the PSU QB would throw a pass into double coverage where OSU SS Lance Mitchell made the interception.

[size=-5]OSU SS Lance Mitchell with an interception.[/size]​

With the success Jacquizz Rodgers was having on the ground, Oregon State started attempting playaction passes to try to open up the passing game. While in the red zone, the Vikings brought an all-out blitz but QB Lyle Moevao was able to get rid of the ball, floating a ball up to TE Howard Croom who was left all alone. Croom was able to get under it for the catch and easily walked into the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown reception, opening up the OSU lead to 28-0.

[size=-5]OSU TE Howard Croom left all alone for a 23-yard touchdown reception.[/size]​

As the first half was nearly over, the Beavers continued to do nothing wrong as OSU FS Suaesi Tuimaunei came up with an interception when the PSU QB threw it right to him. With a decent return, OSU was already in scoring position where HB Jacquizz Rodgers would close out the half with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 35-0 at halftime.

[size=-5]OSU FS Suaesi Tuimaunei's sets up a 1-yard touchdown run for Jacquizz Rodgers before the end of the half.[/size]​

In the second half, Oregon State attempted to pass the ball around a little bit, but Lyle Moevao would be hit as he threw the ball, causing him to leave the game briefly. In came Sean Canfield who threw a pass into coverage and just like that had thrown his first interception of the season, which came in the red zone no less. But the Vikings again failed to move the ball. On the ensuing possession, the older brother of Jacquizz Rodger, James Rodgers got the handoff on the fly sweep out of the slot where he sped to the outside, side-stepped around one defender, spun past another defender, then ran through a tackle, and was off to the races for a 71-yard touchdown run to make it 42-0 OSU.

[size=-5]OSU WR James Rodgers runs through a tackle on his way to the end zone for a 71-yard touchdown.[/size]​

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Later, the Beavers again found themselves in the red zone where Moevao dropped back to pass, had a bunch of time, but got impatient so he tried to thread the needle as it was picked off by a Viking LB. As great as the running game looked, the passing game struggled the entire game. James Rodgers only had one reception and WR Darrell Catchings only had a couple. Moevao was under 45 per cent accurate. But it did not stop the Beavers from putting up 42 points. As the few fans that stuck around started exiting the stadium in the 4th quarter, OSU kicker Justin Kahut would miss his only field goal opportunity of the game when he missed from 32 yards out. But Oregon State would run the clock out, shutting out Portland State 42-0 to start the season. Next week the Beavers will travel to Las Vegas to take on the Rebels of UNLV.

FCS Portland State 0

Oregon State 42

QB Lyle Moevao: 9-20, 133 yds, td, int
HB Jacquizz Rodgers: 21 car, 153 yds, 3 td
TE Howard Croom: 3 rec, 57 yds, td
OLB Keaton Kristick: 6 tkl

 

[goDawgs1433]

Goddamn, Quizz is fast. Great start to the season for him.