Stanford Grinds It Out in a Win Over Oregon State in Pac-10 Opener

OSU was poised to have a chance at tying after the defense forced a three-and-out.  Moevao hit Darryl Catchings on a crossing route but Catchings fumbled into the end zone while stretching out for the goal line to seal OSU's fate.

Starting 0-1 in Pac-10 play makes the rest of the season an uphill climb to reach post season.  The task doesn't get any easier.  The Beavs are headed to a rowdy Beaver Stadium to face Penn State in week two.

Mistakes in the form of bad snaps, fumbles, interceptions, penalties, and poor clock management kept OSU from fully hitting stride. 

Aside from the glaring errors, there is still a sense of optimism from Beaver Nation. 

From what the offense showed, OSU can score points and can do it quickly.  Once the defense catches up, OSU could once again make a late season run at a decent bowl game.

The returns of Al Afalava, Jeremy Perry, and Pernell Booth are greatly needed and should boost production offensively and defensively.

In the end I believe Mike Riley did not have faith in his young running backs.  Oregon State was able to grind the game out with Bernard at tailback last year, but with a dinged up McCants and a green Jacquizz Rogers, Riley chose to air it out and almost fully abandon the run game.

While there were plenty of "you've got to be kidding me" moments, Oregon State showed heart and guts, nearly pulling off what would have been a great comeback victory on the road in Pac-10 play.

Offensive Statistics:

Passing    - Moevao 34/54  404 yds

Receiving - Stroughter 12 catches for 157 yds

                  -  Morales 13 catches for 151 yds

Rushing   -  Jacq. Rodgers 54 yds on 14 carries

                  -  Jam. Rodgers 88 total yards (49 rushing/39 receiving)

Punting   -  Hekker  32 yard average

Field Goal - Kahut  2/2 (27/23)

Defensive Statistics:

Tackles   - Cornell 11 (6 solo)

                 - Kristick 7 (2 solo)

                 - Laybourn 7 (4 solo) .5 sacks

                 - Strong-Butler 6 (1 solo) .5 sacks

                 - Slade Norris/Cameron Collins .5 sacks ea.

Miscelanious:

Penalties - OSU 12-100   Stanford 8-82

3rd Down Conv. - OSU 5/13  38 percent  Stanford 4/13 31 percent

Red Zone Scoring - OSU 4/6  67 percent (2TD 2FG) Stanford 2/2 100 percent (1TD 1FG)

Time of Possession - OSU 28:46  Stanford 31:14

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