VERY Happy Valley: Oregon State Helps Silence Penn State Critics

The Oregon State Beavers took the field at home against the almighty No. 1 University of Southern California Trojans.  It was a night Beaver faithful will never forget.  When Oregon State took the field, they came ready to play, taking a 21-point lead into halftime.

However, the Trojans bounced back.  By the end of the third quarter, the Trojans had nearly closed the gap, trailing by only seven.  Oregon State would then show tremendous resiliency.

Still up by only seven, senior Greg Laybourn sealed the deal with an interception to put the Beavers at the USC two.  Trusty freshman Jacquizz Rodgers showed his performance in Beaver Stadium wasn't just a fluke and punched it in for six to put the Trojans down 13.  A late Trojan score was not enough to reverse the score.

As Beaver nation stormed the field in Oregon, fans in State College looked on with a smile.  The team that Penn State routed 45-14 had just beaten the "best" team in the nation.

The two interceptions OSU quarterback Lyle Moevao threw against the Nittany Lions reversed themselves against USC.  Moevao finished with 167 yards and two touchdowns.

Fortunately for the Trojans, they matched the Lions, holding tailback Jacquizz Rodgers to only two touchdowns.  However, Rodgers was able to squeeze out 186 yards against the Trojans, nearly double what he gained against the Lions.

It seems as though the Lions have already been able to silence the critics—not by their own doing against Illinois, but thanks to the play of the ferocious Beavers.  The No. 1 team in the nation had lost to a team the Nittany Lions beat by 31 points.

Immediately following the game, ESPN commentator Chris Fowler noted that "the Penn State Nittany Lions should be on everyone's watch list now," referencing their 45-14 victory.

Jesse Palmer added his thoughts, saying that Penn State "blew out this Beaver team" and showed optimism that if teams like Penn State and Wisconsin continue, the Big Ten could overtake the Pac-10.

It appeared as though for at least one night, the Beavers had silenced Penn State's critics.

While the Lions still have a lot to prove on their own and have many big games they need to win, at least Oregon State University has assisted them in establishing their credibility.  Maybe Penn State has played more than just "nobodies" this year after all.

With the Big Ten schedule opening up this weekend, the Nittany Lions have the potential to make it a very Happy Valley this year in State College.

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