Beavs run over, dominate Cougs

THERE WAS ACTUALLY slight hiccup along the way but Oregon State dominated on both sides of the ball both before and after, and dispatched Washington State 66-13 in Corvallis. The Beavs outgained the Cougars by a margin of 4-to-1 in the first half, and yet it was still a game at the break. But two third quarter strikes put an end any doubt about who would come out on top. And OSU kept on rolling.

It could not have started out any better for Oregon State. And it ended pretty well, too.

The Beavs found the end zone on two plays on their first drive, eventually rolling up 21 first quarter points.

Lyle Moevao came out sharp, connecting with Sammie Stroughter on a 30-yard touchdown pass before making an all league throw to Shane Morales for the Beavs' second score.

Meanwhile, Jacquizz Rodgers was running wild, with 146 first half rushing yards on 18 carries.

Indeed, Oregon State could do just about anything they wanted to, and on both sides of the ball.

The black and orange defense swarmed an overmatched Washington State offensive line, racking up four sacks in the opening quarter and played strong all day.

Official stats were unavailable right at game's end but Pernnell Booth, David Pa'aluhi David Paaluhi and Slade Norris all had sacks on the day.

Cougar quarterback Marshall Lobbestael had little time in the pocket all afternoon long, with the Beaver front four collapsing the protection and stuffing the run.

But Washington State's defense found a little spark in the second quarter, and would pick off Moevao four times.

Two of the interceptions led to scores and the Cougs, after a missed extra point on one of the touchdowns, had pulled to within 21-13 with time winding down in the first half.

Oregon State recaptured some momentum with a field goal before the break. And then the Beavs came out strong in the second half and put it away.

The Beavs scored on their first two drives, with a key fourth down make on the first taking some of the wind out of Washington State's sails.

The Beaver defense continued to stymie the WSU offense and at 38-13, the game was effectively over.

Damola Adeniji had a picture perfect punt block and recovered the pigskin in the end zone to remove the last sliver of uncertainty as to the outcome. And Sean Canfield, on his first pass of the season, later found Adeniji on a 39-yard touchdown strike.

How good was the Beaver defense on Saturday? They held the Cougars to minus yardage in the third quarter.

NOTABLE NOTE:
The Cougars' Lobbestael was knocked out early in the fourth quarter with what looked like a nasty hit on the side of his knee. WSU, who had already lost their top two quarterbacks earlier in the year, went the rest of the way with freshman walk-on Dan Wagner in order to preserve the redshirt of No. 4 J.T. Levenseller, also a freshman.