Oregon-Oregon State: The Civil War Recap

It was a warm November day to remember.

It was a game that the Oregon State Beavers neded to win in order to advance to the Rose Bowl.

It was a game that was the end to an amazing and historic year.

On the balmy 62-degree night, history was made, again, in the Civil War series between Oregon and Oregon State. It was the highest scoring game in the 112-game history.

It wasn't all roses for the Beavers, as the Oregon Ducks snapped the Oregon State's six-game win streak and won, 65-38. It was the second year in a row the visiting team has won the match-up.

“It hurts,” Oregon State quarterback, Lyle Moevao said. “To be able to play through the games that we've been through, and come through a long stretch like this and not top it off, it hurts.”

It was Senior Night for Oregon State at Reser Stadium. Beaver fan favorite Sammie Stroughter came out to hugs from teammates, coaches, and a roar from the crowd. He came out jumping and waving his arms around. The floor in the press box was shaking.

But the other story was of the missing Oregon State freshman phenom, Jacquizz Rodgers, who was out with a shoulder injury.

The lack of Rodgers hurt the Beavers running attack. When asked what it would have meant to have Jacquizz in the lineup Head Coach Mike Riley's response was: “I don't even want to guess what that means.”

Without Jacquizz, the Beaver running attack was hushed and Oregon State relied on the passing attack.

“They did a pretty good job containing our running game,” Moevao said.

Moevao ended the game 27-for-51 for 374 yards and five touchdowns—a career high. He also had two interceptions.

It wasn't the lack of offense that foiled the Beavers' Rose Bowl aspirations, but the big plays the Ducks gained.

“They made a lot of huge plays,” Riley said. “Everybody knows that the biggest factor in the game was the number of big plays.” And the Oregon offense found ways to make big plays, repeatedly.

“To go out and ruin somebody's dream like that, it feels real good,” Oregon wide receiver Jaison Williams said.

Williams finished the game with one catch for 35 yards.

The Oregon running game had a solid evening. The Ducks managed to gain over 300 yards on the ground and had two running backs in triple digits.

“Coming in we had a good game plan,” Oregon State defensive end said. “Our coaches did a great job preparing us. The responsibility goes to the players, we didn't make the plays we needed to make.”

The scoring started early when Oregon tight end Jeff Maehl caught a 17-yard touchdown reception. The Ducks followed that with a 38-yard field goal.

The Beavers answered with a touchdown on a Jeremy Francias screen. He broke a pair of tackles and fell into the endzone. However, Oregon came right back with a LaGarrette Blount 9-yard touchdown scamper.

Two possession later, after another Duck field goal, Jeremiah Johnson broke away for an 83-yard run for a touchdown. The Ducks never looked back.

“We knew Oregon was a great team,” Norris said. “We didn't play the game we wanted to play.”

Oregon Sate safety Greg Laybourn had another reason: “Tackling.”

“We knew coming in, the times that they have been successful they had gotten people out in space,” Laybourn said. “And they make you miss.”

The Beavers' season isn't lost, though. The team will still have a chance to play in the Sun Bowl in El Paso.

“It's terribly disappointing, but I'm proud of our team,” Mike Riley said. “We'll live to play another game.”

“Which is good.”