A long, long way from the Toilet Bowl
Twenty years ago, in the darkest of the dark days of Oregon college football, when the season's highlight would later become known as the Toilet Bowl, not even the most eternally optimistic could've imagined these twin scenes 40 miles apart.

Michigan playing in Autzen Stadium?...Jeff Welsch, Gazette Times

Just enough
It was the defining moment for an offense still searching for consistency and a sense of identity.

Clinging to a 26-24 lead against upset-minded Boise State, Oregon State's embattled offense ground out four first downs and ran off the final 7:32 of the fourth quarter on Saturday to preserve a well-earned victory before the customary sellout at Reser Stadium.

It was the defining moment for an offense still searching for consistency and a sense of identity...Brooks Hatch, Gazette Times

Farley makes biggest catch
Senior slotback Ken Farley had only one catch in Oregon State's 26-24 victory over Boise State on Saturday.

It might have been the play of the game.

The Beavers were pinned on their 11-yard line, facing a third-and-19, when quarterback Derek Anderson zipped a 26-yard bullet to Farley. The resulting first down enabled the Beavers to maintain possession, and they made two more third downs and a fourth down to keep the potent Bronco offense, and dangerous punt returner Tim Gilligan, pawing at the Astroturf in frustration on the sidelines...Brooks Hatch, Gazette Times

Yliniemi feeling fine
Ten days ago, Kirk Yliniemi was starting to recover from an appendectomy.

He missed Oregon State's victory over New Mexico State and coach Mike Riley restricted his record-setting kicker from handling kickoff duties on Saturday against Boise State. Riley wasn't shy about using Yliniemi when it came to kicking field goals, though...Aaron Yost, Gazette Times

Boise State leaves with a loss and a lot of what ifs
It's fourth and one on the Boise State 22 with 1:46 left. If the Broncos hold they get another shot at taking down Oregon State. Another shot at extending their winning streak to 14 and beating a Pacific-10 team for the first time.

Beavers quarterback Derek Anderson lunges into a pile of jerseys, straining for yardage...Paul Bunker, Oregonian

Beavers fire on all cylinders in victory
First there was a feisty, frothing Fresno State team denting Oregon State's high expectations by beating the Beavers in Bulldog Stadium. Then came a Boise State team with a 13-game winning streak, big-play threats and a thirst for its first Pacific-10 Conference victory.

But this time, Oregon State was better. This time, the Beavers were playing before a sellout crowd of 35,963 at Reser Stadium. This time, their quarterback shrugged off the piled-high pressure, their top receiver stoked a fire in his belly and the entire team heaved aside the Broncos for a 26-24 victory Saturday...Rachael Bachman, Oregonian

Anderson leads Beavers to victory
With the focus on Steven Jackson’s injured knee, quarterback Derek Anderson was able to take a week off from questions about his erratic arm.

It must have helped, as Anderson spent Saturday night finding his favorite receiver, James Newson.

Anderson connected with Newson nine times for 208 yards, as Oregon State put up some gaudy numbers, and ended Boise State’s 13-game winning streak with a 26-24 victory...Associated Press