[size=+2]#18 Oregon State (0-0) at #10 Wisconsin (1-0)[/size]
Madison, WI - A very challeging way to start the season for the Beavers. Camp Randall Stadium on opening day is never an easy place to play especially when the Beavers' starting QB and starting HB have zero starts. The Badger faithful were going to make it difficult for Oregon State from the opening kick off. Oregon State has a long history of not doing well in the opening games on the road. So this was definitely an early season test. The last time the Beavers were on this stage in Big Ten country was against Penn State five years ago which OSU lost in a very close game. A win for the Beavers would be huge and a sign of what might be to come for Oregon State the rest of the season.
The Beavers must have felt right at home with heavy showers coming down all game long. However, the rain had no effect in slowing down the Badgers' opening offensive drive, and neither did the Beavers' defense. Wisconsin was running on all cylandars to start the game, taking it the length of the field. The OSU defense could not get off the field on third down and finally the impressive opening drive ended when preseason Heisman Watch list QB Gavin Campbell threw to FB Bryan Rice in the flat which he took in for an 11-yard touchdown to put the Badgers on top
7-0 early.
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Badger QB Gavin Campbell could not be stopped on the opening drive.[/size]
The Beavers took the field with an energized Camp Randall facing them. Tough way for OSU QB Justin Rust to start his collegiate career. After a short run by new HB Roy Nolen, Rust stepped up in the pocket and connected with TE Adam Banks for a 15-yard gain. The simple completion seemed to calm Rust down as he looked fantastic on his first collegiate drive. Rust would hit WR Brian Herring on a crossing route, where the playmaking receiver slipped by a tackle and took it for a 26-yard gain, inside the red zone. Rust took advantage of the opportunity, throwing a strike to WR Bill Faaeteete, splitting the zone for a 13-yard touchdown to tie the game
7-7.
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Not a bad way for OSU QB Justin Rust to start his collegiate career with a 13-yard touchdown strike to WR Bill Faaeteete on his opening drive.[/size]
As bad as the Beavers' defense looked on Wisconsin's first possession, they looked equally as good on the next possession, forcing a Badger three and out when Campbell was sacked by OSU DE Dan Sanders on third down. As the first quarter came to an end, the OSU offense was still in rhythm.
OSU HB Roy Nolen would make a nice run to the outside, juking by a defender in the backfield, and spinning by another on his way for a 16-yard gain to the Badger 6-yard line. This is a new look tail back for the Beavers. An fast, agile back compared to Quinn who was more of a quick, slashing, bruiser. Nolen would finish off the drive, getting into the end zone from three yards out to give the Beavers a
14-7 lead.
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OSU HB Roy Nolen gets across the end zone from three yards out.[/size]
However, it would not take long for the Badgers to strike back when Campbell threw to deep to the sideline where WR Curtis Burns was able to get in front of OSU CB Matt McDaniel, make the catch and get into the end zone for a 22-yard touchdown to tie the game
14-14. It was becoming apparent that Campbell was not even testing the other side of the field with outstanding young OSU CB John Biggers in coverage, but McDaniel might be a weak spot in an otherwise outstanding defensive backfield.
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Badger WR Curtis Burns gets in front of OSU CB Matt McDaniel for a 22-yard touchdown reception.[/size]
The Beavers had to be getting nervous as the offense really could not play much better under the circumstances and it was tie game. Despite that, Rust continued to look poised in the pocket as he stepped up and threw a dart to WR Bill Faaeteet, splitting the zone again for a 26-yard gain. However, Rust was maybe a bit too confident when he tried to split the coverage again. This time the pass to WR Brian Herring was picked off by Badger OLB Greg Clarett, giving Wisconsin an excellent opportunity to take the lead.
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Badger OLB Greg Clarett picks off OSU QB Justin Rust.[/size]
Unfortnately for the Badgers, WR Lamar Love dropped a ball at the sideline on third down, forcing the Badgers to attempt a 54-yard field goal which fell well short of the cross bar. The Beavers dodged a bullet. But OSU was stopped on a last minute opportunity to score when Rust was sacked on third down. OSU head coach Mike Riley called a timeout to try a last second hail mary before the end of the half. Rust launced one deep into the end zone but it was intercepted to preserve a
14-14 tie at halftime.
The Beavers looked nervous starting the second half with a shaky three and out. The Badgers responded with a decent drive to the OSU 40-yard line. Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema decided to try and go for it on fourth-and-two where the OSU defense stuffed HB Pete Williams. With good field position, Rust led an impressive drive, making key throws to Herring and a 14-yard run by Nolen got the Beavers into the red zone. Where Nolen scored his second touchdown from two yards out to put Oregon State up
21-14.
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OSU HB Roy Nolen in with his second touchdown.[/size]
Now the pressure was on Wisconsin to respond and QB Gavin Campbell must have felt that pressure when he threw a terrible pass that was intercepted by OSU LB Adam Weber. Now the Beavers had a chance to add to their lead.
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OSU LB Adam Weber picks off Wisconsin QB Gavin Campbell.[/size]
As the third quarter came to an end, Nolen was starting to break some bigger gains on the ground, but the Badgers would put the drive to and end when Rust was sacked on third down as the Beavers had to punt.
But that is when OSU DE Brandon Webb stepped up and made his only play of the game, but it would be probably the game-changing play of the game when he flew by the left tackle, drilling Campbell, and forcing the ball loose, which was recovered by MLB Casey Wright. The turnover set up the Beavers at the Badger 29-yard line.
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OSU DE Brandon Webb forces the ball loose for a turnover.[/size]
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Though the Beavers were only able to manage a 38-yard field goal which Reggie Smith was just barely able to keep through the uprights to put the Beavers ahead
24-14.
Now the Badgers were in trouble when they were deep inside there own side of the field with a third-and-two facing them. Wisconsin HB Pete Williams looked like he would easily be brought down behind the line of scrimage but OSU SS Courtney Smith could not make the tackle, and Williams was able to keep the drive alive. However, it was all for not as the Badgers were still forced to punt four plays later.
Now the Beavers just need to milk the clock but on first down Nolen was tackled for a seven yard loss in the backfield. Then OSU was called for a false start. Because of the hole the Beavers dug for themselves, they were forced to punt from deep inside their own territory. The Badgers had the ball with 1:52 left. Still very much a game. That was until Campbell was picked off by OSU CB Matt McDaniel to pretty much seal the game shut.
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OSU CB Matt McDaniel with a huge interception.[/size]
With only under two minutes to go, the Nolen was just trying to run the clock out, but was able to hurdle two defenders, showing some serious hops, and then took off to the house for a 36-yard gain to put the final nail in the coffin. Beavers get a huge road win with a
31-14 victory over No. 10 Wisconsin in front of a national audience.
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OSU HB Roy Nolen hurdles two defenders en route to a 36-yard touchdown.[/size]
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Oregon State 31
QB Rust: 16-20, 195 yds, td, 2 int
HB Nolen: 26 car, 154 yds, 3 td
WR Faaeteete: 5 rec, 61 yds, td
DE Webb: tkl, ff
Wisconsin 14
QB Campbell: 16-21, 167 yds, 2 td, 2 int
HB Williams: 20 car, 63 yds
WR Burns: 6 rec, 73 yds, td
OLB Clarett: 8 tkl, 2 tfl, sk, int