Oregon State, Two Weeks in a Row? It's Not to Be!

Last Thursday night, the Oregon State Beavers pulled off an enormous upset over No. 1 USC.  Last night, they played a Utah team that is ranked No. 15 in the nation.  The Beavers were looking to pull off another upset.

In the first quarter, Oregon State was able to score first, putting three points on the board.  Later in the quarter, Utah put together a decent drive and tied the game at three.

At the start of the second quarter, Utah quarterback Brian Johnson threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Al Afalava.  Oregon State missed the extra point.  This would come back to haunt the Beavers later.

Utah then exploded on three straight drives.  First they had a field goal, then a touchdown pass from Johnson to Freddie Brown, and then a touchdown run by Brent Casteel.  This put Utah up 20-9.

Oregon State was able to run their two-minute offense successfully as they scored a touchdown with just over a minute left on a pass from Lyle Moevao to Shane Morales.

Moevao was 21-of-31 with over 300 yards and two TDs. 

Oregon State went for two and failed. This would also come back to haunt the Beavers.

At halftime, Utah led 20-15.

The only score of the third quarter came just over three minutes in when Jacquizz Rodgers ran it in from 7 yards out.  Rogers had 25 carries for 101 yards in the game.  Once again, they went for two and failed.  Oregon State led by one, 21-20, heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter was a defensive struggle until just over two minutes left in the game, when Moevao threw his second TD pass of the game to Brady Camp.  The Beavers kicked and made the PAT this time, putting them up 28-20. 

With 1:29 left in the game, Johnson threw his second TD pass of the game, this time to Bradon Godfrey.  Johnson ran the ball into the end zone for the two-point conversion, and the score was then tied at 28.

The Beavers got the ball back with just over a minute left.  However, they went three-and-out and were forced to punt.  Overtime, right?  Wrong.

Utah drove down the field and with two seconds left, Utah's kicker Louie Sakoda lined up to attempt a 37-yard field goal.  When he kicked it, it began to hook left, but stayed within the uprights relatively easily, and the Utes won, 31-28.

That kick that won the game at the end of regulation probably should've sent the game into overtime.  Remember the PAT that was missed and the two failed 2 point conversions?

If that PAT was made, Oregon State probably would've kicked the PAT the two times that they went for two.  That missed PAT and two failed two-point conversions resulted in 3 points that should have never have been lost. 

Utah won by 3.  The game would have been tied and it would go into overtime.

Or...maybe Sadoka would miss under pressure and Oregon State would've upset an undefeated team for the second week in a row.  Maybe Oregon State would've won in overtime, or maybe Utah would win. 

It doesn't matter, all that really matters is that Oregon State lost three points on PATs and two-point conversions, and that cost them this game.

This week, I recommend that the Oregon State Beavers should spend some more practice time on special teams.