[size=+1]#7 USC (7-0) at #6 Oregon State (7-0)[/size]
Corvallis, OR - There was an electric atmosphere at Reser Stadium for the biggest game of the year. USC was looking to pay back Oregon State for the loss that the Beavers gave them last year mostly behind the running of HB Roy Nolen. That win propelled the Beavers to making the Rose Bowl. But now ranked 6th in the nation, the Beavers are starting to think bigger. A win by either team today, gives them a realistic chance at competing for a national title birth.
It was a chilly 38 degree evening in Corvallis at kickoff. USC took the field first on offense and was met by the hostile crowd. The Trojans were able to quiet Reser temporarily when QB Mark Nelson threw a first down pass to move the chains, but the drive did not go anywhere afterwards. USC was quickly forced to punt. But the Oregon State offense looked even worse, going three-and-out, barely moving the ball at all. It looked like it was going to be a hard fought game between these two. Then QB Mark Nelson, under serious pressure from OSU DE Brandon Webb, threw an ill-advised pass that CB John Biggers picked off and took back to the house to put OSU on top
7-0 as Reser Stadium erupted.
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OSU CB John Biggers takes the pick back to the house.[/size]
The Trojans were again met by a loud crowd, but USC was able to calm the crowd down with a very long drive. The OSU defense would finally stop the Trojans inside the OSU 5-yard line. As a result, USC was forced to kick a 23-yard field goal but the kick went wide right. Oregon State now had all of the momentum. Then HB Tim Taylor bounced a run to the outside for what looked like a 1st down run until he was drilled by a USC CB, which caused the ball to fall to the turf for a USC recovery.
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OSU HB Tim Taylor fumbles the ball to the Trojans.[/size]
But the Trojans could not take advantage of the turnover as QB Mark Nelson was sacked on 3rd down by junior DT Steve Brooks to force another USC three-and-out as the 1st quarter came to an end.
On the Beavers' ensuing possession, QB Justin Rust found WR Brian Horn on a curl. Horn spun past a USC defensive back, and was able to take it in for a 29-yard touchdown reception, putting Oregon State up
14-0.
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OSU WR Brian Horn spins past a USC defender to score on a 29-yard touchdown reception.[/size]
When the Trojan offense got back on the field, Reser was rocking. USC could not get anything going and was forced to punt again. The Beavers seemed like they could do no wrong. That was until QB Justin Rust, under pressure threw a terrible pass into coverage which was easily intercepted by USC FS Eric Cooper. Again though, USC could not take advantage of the turnover as QB Mark Nelson threw a pass over the middle that was picked off by OSU FS Corey Swan, in for the injured FS Scott Vinson. Speaking of injuries, Oregon State had two minor injuries occur on their next possession as HB Tim Taylor took a vicious hit low that caused the standout tailback to leave the field. It was later reported that Taylor would miss the rest of the game with a foot stress fracture. At about the time that it was reported that Taylor would likely miss the rest of the game, Rust went down after throwing a late pass. In came red shirt freshman QB Ty Moore. Despite the injuries, the drive continued on where backup HB Derrick Andrews was able to fight his way across the goal line from four yards out to put the Beavers ahead
21-0 at the end of the half.
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OSU HB Derrick Andrews fights in for a 4-yard touchdown run.[/size]
To start the 2nd half, Rust was in the huddle calling plays. The Beavers faced a 3rd-and-long where Rust was able to connect with WR Bill Faaeteete on a comeback right at the magical yellow line for a first down. Then Rust threw a prayer up deep that Faaeteete was able to somehow come down with for a 41-yard gain.
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OSU WR Bill Faaeteete makes a spectacular leaping catch in coverage for a 41-yard gain, bailing out QB Justin Rust.[/size]
The Beavers, now with good field position in USC territory were able to get into the red zone, where Rust on a playaction threw to TE Adam Banks on an out pattern at the goal line. The strike hit Banks right in the hands for a 7-yard touchdown pass to put OSU up
28-0.
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OSU TE Adam Banks with a 7-yard touchdown reception.[/size]
The Trojans continued to struggle on offense, going three-and-out again. Their main problem was that they could not run the ball to save their lives. The Beavers on the other hand were putting on an offensive clinic, moving the ball almost at will and taking up a lot of time while doing it. Finally, the fantastic drive ended when QB Justin Rust threw to WR Bill Faaeteete at the goal line. Faaeteete was hit as he caught it but fell forward into the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown to put Oregon State comfortably in front
35-0.
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OSU WR Bill Faaeteete in with a 3-yard touchdown reception.[/size]
Heading into the 4th quarter it was apparent that Oregon State was going to run away with a huge win. The only question left was whether the Beavers could preserve the shut out. The Trojans would get into field goal position but Pete Carroll was not interested in three points so they went for it on 4th-and-short where Nelson threw a pass over the top but CB John Biggers was there with a few of his other buddies to knock the ball down. Later, the Beavers would actually have a drive stall, and tacked on a 51-yard field goal by Reggie Smith to put OSU further ahead
38-0.
With under two minutes to go, it looked like the Trojans were about to get on the scoreboard but with 1:47 left, Nelson threw a pass up into coverage where OSU CB John Biggers got his 2nd interception off of a deflection. The Beavers not only absolutely crushed the Trojans but also were able to shut them out in dominating fashion.
After the game, Mike Riley was available for comment, "This is such a huge win for the Beavers and this town, and for Oregon, and for the Pac-10! I'm just so proud of these kids. We knew we could beat these guys but never would I have thought we could do it in this fashion. I also want to thank our fans. They were a big part of our success today."
Later, Pete Carroll was available for comment, "I don't know what to say. This has to be the most embarrassing loss I can remember since I've been coaching at USC. I don't really know what else I can say. We just really got beat in every way. I have to give the Beavers all the credit in the world. They played a heck of a game today."
USC 0
QB Mark Nelson: 22-35, 183 yds, 3 int
HB Bruce Brady: 15 car, 36 yds
WR David Schlicher: 8 rec, 74 yds
FS Eric Cooper: 4 tkl, int, fr
Oregon State 38
QB Justin Rust: 21-29, 243 yds, 3 td, int
HB Derrick Andrews: 19 car, 58 yds, td
TE Adam Banks: 11 rec, 88 yds, td
WR Bill Faaeteete: 6 rec, 88 yds, td
CB John Biggers: 9 tkl, 2 int, 2 defl, td