After watching USC pounce Virginia and Ohio State (a combined score of 87-10) I was obviously nervous for our Thursday night, nationally televised game. USC has so much depth, their recruiting vs Oregon State recruiting is two different worlds.
USC World: In LA, where every young college athlete wants to be, sunshine, play almost weekly on national TV, celebrities, Hollywood, lots of $$$ (we know they are getting cash just like old Reggie Bush), they have an airport close to campus, facilities, a reputation, always in the top 10, NFL drafted players by the dozens, etc etc.
OSU World: Corvallis Oregon, population 50,000 and a 90 minute drive from the nearest airport. A tiny recruiting budget compared to USC and most D1 schools, rain, rain, rain, rarely on national TV, no celebrities (other than the Linn County DA himself), and known as a school who is always in the bottom of the PAC-10 (even though in the last 10 years, that is completely false).
September Slumber: The Beavs are notorious for their September Slumber, as I call it. Since Coach Mike Riley has been at the helm, every year, we get better as the season goes on. I do not know what it is, but I like much better than Mike Bioloti who always starts hot, and finishes seasons horribly. (By the way I am still upset that we finished 3rd in the pac-10, including a win over the Ducks last season, and still Oregon got a better bowl, the Sun Bowl, and we got the Emerald Bowl.)
Beavs this season: So, we lost in week one vs Stanford on that stupid rule, where when you fumble it out of bounds out your end zone its the other teams ball on the 20 yard line. Then in week two we got killed (45-14) by Penn St, who made us look horrible.
USC/OSU history and OSU vs top 10: This section will be short and to the point. The last four times USC has come to Reser Stadium, they have lost three times (that 75% for the math guys out there). In the last 8 seasons, seven top ten teams have come to play at Reser Stadium, only one has left victorious, yes that is correct doctrine ONE! To all those people who say its a miracle, those stats speech for themselves, just ask Chad Johnson, TJ Housh, Derek Anderson, Dennis Erickson, or Steven Jackson. And did you watch the game? We clearly were the better team last night. We ran the ball all over that defense that has only allowed 10 points all season, and we scored 21 in the first half. Also one other note, Pete Carroll has the best turnover ratio of any current coach (its like +102). Last night the Beavs won 2-0 in regards to the TO battle.
The Game:
|  |  |
| 1st Downs | 16 | 22 |
3rd down efficiency | 2-10 | 7-16 |
4th down efficiency | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Total Yards | 313 | 343 |
| Passing | 227 | 167 |
Comp-Att | 18-29 | 18-28 |
Yards per pass | 7.8 | 6.0 |
| Rushing | 86 | 176 |
Rushing Attempts | 22 | 45 |
Yards per rush | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| Penalties | 7-84 | 5-27 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
Fumbles lost | 1 | 0 |
Interceptions thrown | 1 | 0 |
| Possession | 25:10 | 34:50 |
| J. Rodgers | 37 carries
| 186 yards
| 5.0 yards/play
| 2 TD's
| 15 LONG
|
My quick game recap: We absolutely dominated the 1st half. Ran all over them, mixed it up on offense and defense, forced 3 and out on USC's first three possessions. We had zero turnovers, for anyone who watches Beaver football knows just how huge that is. "Quiz" Rodgers is the man, by brother in law said he runs like Barry Sanders. I agree, that is actually his favorite player, who he studies frequently and trys to mirror his running style. Did anyone notice on one 3rd and 6, and one 3rd and 5, we handed the ball off up the middle and got the first down both times! WOW! We let USC comeback a little at the end, dumped the Gatorade too early, missed the extra point, but still help on and partied hard in Corvallis.
Impact: Huge, but remember last year folks, all those top tens that continued to fall. Its only September, calm down. The Mizzou's, Sooners, Penn St, Florida, basically the SEC and Big 12 this will help. Maybe eventually this might even help the Cougs. Just so readers are clear, I love the Cougs. I know they will all be huge Beaver fans with me Thursday when we travel to UU.
Haters: To all of you out there who are Beaver haters, who are bandwagon USC, Mizzou, etc fans, to all of you who say, "how can you like Oregon St" they rarely get on National TV, they have nothing except rain. Oh you people FOF me. The Beavs are here to stay, and could really shake things up for the remainder of the season. Could the Beavs win out? Considering the weak year the PAC-10 is having its possible. Oregon is our biggest threat I think, and they have to come to Reser with their 9th string QB.
Conclusion: Oh how I love the Beavs. Oh last night was a great night. I think I embarrassed my wife a bit with my post game celebration. And I did win a bet I made with my wife, if the Beavs win I get an 8 minute back massage, if they loose I have to give it. Well lets just say my back feels great today.
