THESE DAYS, ONE can in an instant pull up video highlights of recent black and orange glory and relive the experience as if was yesterday -- something particularly welcome during the offseason. One of many high points the past two years was when Oregon State shocked USC. The 33-31 thriller unfolded in Corvallis, as a throng of delirious Beaver faithful paid witness.
THE SET UP:
Oregon State came into the USC game at 4-3 and although the Beavs had won their
past two games, the 2-3 start to open the season had more than a few calling
for Mike Riley's job.
Indeed, it was just a few weeks prior to the USC game when Al Reser had called
the current direction of the football program "unacceptable" and signs had begun
showing up in the Reser Stadium stands saying Riley needed to go.
USC came into the game No. 3 in the nation and riding a 27-game Pac-10 winning
streak. They were favored by 15 points and were coming off a bye week, a situation
that had seen them produce eight straight wins. Oregon State was banged up,
and one of their best offensive weapons, Yvenson
Bernard, would miss the game.
But the Beavers bolted to a 33-10 third-quarter lead and then held on as 42,871
went crazy on a sun splashed late October afternoon.
We'd select a different music mix for the accompanying clip, but there's no
arguing with the visuals.
FINAL THOUGHT:
The groundwork had been laid with narrow wins the previous two weeks against
Washington and Arizona, but it was the USC victory that was the catalyst for what unfolded that year, helping
catapult OSU to a 10-4 season, a thrilling bowl game victory and a Top 25 finish.
