Oregon St. 19 Arizona 17: Beavers Have Sunny Southern California in Sight

What transpired in the final eight minutes in Tuscon has Oregon State one win away from the improbable Rose Bowl they've been chasing for 44 years.

The game of football is to be played with intense passion and unyielding perseverance...this game had all that-and more.

Freshman phenom Jacquizz Rodgers left the game in the first quarter with a sprained shoulder and did not return. Starting quarterback Lyle Moevao also did not play due to soreness in his throwing shoulder. 

With nearly half of the offensive production flat footed on the sidelines, Oregon State continued to execute and kept fighting.

Tied 3-3 at halftime after a career long 47-yard field goal from Justin Kahut—more on him later—OSU relied on their stingy defense to start the second half.

After a three-and-out on Arizona's first possession, the Beaver O jumped on the legs of Rs.Freshman Ryan McCants and So. James Rodgers.

The beefy McCants—6'1" 240-ran hard for 25 yards and Rodgers added 27 of his own on the drive, including the go ahead score on a fly sweep from seven yards out. Score: 10-3.

For a brief moment the scent of roses got stronger, however like a deer in search for food, Arizona ate up those metaphorical roses as well as yardage and clock.

The Cats balanced offense began to click as Tuitama found underneath receivers and Keola Antolin did his best Jacquizz Rodgers impression, juking and weaving through the giants up front for big yards.

Two possessions, a 16-yard Gronkowski touchdown, and 126 yards later, Arizona went on top 17-10 on a nine-yard Antolin bast up the middle. Score: 17-10.

Before the Beavers knew what hit them, Arizona had scored 14 unanswered points and 8:26 was all that stood between OSU and withered Roses.

After five straight rushing plays which netted 39 yards, Canfield dropped the shoulder and heaved the ball towards the end zone to a wide open James Rodgers. 

The words "he dropped it!" echoed in my quickly silenced living room.  What would have been a sure go ahead and possibly game winning touchdown, turned into a third and eight from the Arizona 41.

But, like a phoenix rising from the ashes-ok not quite like that-O coordinator Danny Langsdorf caught the Cats in an all-out blitz.  Canfield hit Stroughter on a dig behind the vacated linebackers and 34 yards later, James was forgiven.

Oregon State capped it off properly with a Canfield to Stroughter seven-yard touchdown to move within one-enter Just Kahut.

Visions of Alexis Serna danced through OSU fans heads as they watched the game tying extra point sail wide left. Score: 16-17

What seemed to be the end of Oregon State's magical journey, turned into a blessing in disguise.

Cats Quarterback Willie Tuitama ran for 10 yards on 3rd-and-9, causing OSU to burn all their timeouts in the following series.

Arizona's conservative offensive play calling benefited OSU, as they stacked the box and stopped Antolin two yards short on third and eight. Arizona punted the ball out of the end-zone and OSU started on their 20 with 1:27 to go and no timeouts.

After riding the legs of McCants and Rodgers, it was time for Canfield to once again prove that he had the wherewithal to move his team in position for a game-winning field goal.

With the ball on the OSU 46, Canfield again, dipped his shoulder and heaved the ball down the left hash, this time falling delicately into the awaiting arms of a wide open Sammie Stroughter at the Zona seven yard line.

After milking the clock, kicker Justin Kahut came on and sealed the deal with a redeeming 29-yard field goal as time expired. Score: OSU 19  Arizona 17.

Special seasons are filled with ups and downs, it's how you handle them that defines you as a competitor.  When OSU could have just as easily succumbed to the ghosts of LSU, Stanford or Utah, they didn't. 

Just two games away from a Pac-10 title and BCS Bowl Game, the Beavers simply didn't stop competing. 

This win will go a long way next week against the visiting Ducks 8-3 (6-2) in the biggest Civil War since the 2000 season when both Oregon and Oregon State were ranked in the top 10.

If there is one quote that can sum up last nights performance it's from J.K Rowling:

"We must try not to sink beneath our anguish...but battle on."

That's the stuff that dreams are made of.  Go Beavs.