USC-Oregon State: How the Beavers Can Beat the Trojans

It could be déjà vu once again when the 5-1 Trojans host the 4-2 Beavers of Oregon State.  Last year the Beavers upset the Trojans 27-21.  

It was the second time in three years that Oregon State had turned the tables on USC. However, both Beaver wins came at Reser Stadium. Oregon State has not beaten USC at the Coliseum during the Pete Carroll era.

But this year could be different. Why? Because this is the first offense that this Trojan defense will face that isn’t one-dimensional. 

University of Washington, Jake Locker; Ohio State, Terrelle Pryor; Cal, Jahvid Best; Notre Dame, Jimmy Clausen.

Shut down any one of those players and you shut down their team.

Last year, Jacquizz Rogers, the diminutive Beaver tailback whose size belies his power, battered the Trojan defense with its eight NFL players for 186 yards in 37 carries and two TDs. But the Beavers nearly equaled that total in the air with 167 yards passing and two TDs to Jacquizz’s older brother, James Rogers.

This year, Jacquizz is the second leading rusher in the conference (697 yards) behind Stanford’s Toby Gerhart. But the Beavers’ passing attack is even more dynamic than last season.

Head Coach Mike Riley has replaced last year’s starter Lyle Moevao with senior quarterback, Sean Canfield, who's No. 2 in the Pac-10 in completion percentage (67.86) and third in passing yardage (1405).

So, look for more of the same from the Beavers tomorrow. Expect Riley to run the ball with Jacquizz Rogers and have Canfield keep the Trojans off-balance with screens to Rogers who has 38 catches for 269 yards.  

If the Trojan linebackers and corners move up to stop the run, Riley will have Canfield throw over the middle to James Rogers, second in the conference in total receiving yards (544) and first in receiving yards per game (90.67).

The Beavers' other wide receiver, Damola Adeniji, has 26 catches for 341 yards and has been used most often in the mid-range passing scheme.

It’s not just Jacquizz Rogers’ rushing the Trojan defense must handle, even though that is a huge task in itself.  They also need to cover screens to Rogers, Adeniji over the middle, and James Rogers, who has an 87-yard TD reception this year.

Although the Trojans fought back in the second half against the Beavers last year, it was Mark Sanchez’s interception by Greg Laybourn at the USC 30 with three minutes left that sank the Trojans. Laybourn ran the ball back to the two, and Jacquizz Rogers put the icing on the cake.

Rodgers' rushing yards were the most by a Trojan opponent since Vince Young ran for 200 yards for Texas in the BCS national championship game in 2006.

How did Pete Carroll feel at the time? "I'm beside myself," he said after the game. "They (Oregon State) didn't hide what they were doing, they just did it. We couldn't stop it. We couldn't tackle."

After gaining 105 yards against the Ohio State Buckeyes the week before, Joe McKnight could only manage a meager 10 yards against Oregon State and had a key fumble.

If you think Oregon State will be in awe of USC’s high ranking or their true freshman sensation, Matt Barkley, think again.

"They came out and competed," Oregon State coach Mike Riley said of his team after last year’s win.  "We were respectful, but not in awe."