Spring Break
With Riley at helm, Oregon State wins fourth straight postseason game
Kye Johnson
Issue date: 1/8/08 Section: Forum
Oregon State wins bowl games.
Thirty years ago, Beaver believers couldn't have fathomed the amount of success that the program has recently grown accustomed to. Fortunately for them, they don't have to imagine anymore. Oregon State's seven-point victory over Maryland in the 2007 Emerald Bowl was its fourth straight bowl victory and its fourth victory in as many tries under head coach Mike Riley.
Even with sloppy weather, a handful of offensive starters unable to play and an early strike by Maryland, Oregon State was able to claw its way to another postseason victory, making those longtime Beaver believers proud as ever.
Unlike the majority of the season's games, the Emerald Bowl didn't have the greatest beginning, as starting quarterback Lyle Moevao went down twice in the first quarter. Moevao first suffered an arm injury on the Beavers' first possession before a leg injury took him out of the game for good. Once sophomore Sean Canfield was at the helm, however, Oregon State was able to do enough to ensure a win.
"We just had to keep on going like we had been doing," said running back Yvenson Bernard about Moevao going down. "We'd gone through our bumps in the road, and we just keep on going, and that's what I love about this team."
Canfield hooked up with freshman James Rodgers on a 14-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at seven, giving the Beaver offense a much-needed spark early on. That was just the beginning of a memorable night for Rodgers.
Known for his speed on the fly sweep, the true freshman ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns. He was also Oregon State's leading receiver on the night, catching five balls for 40 yards.
"That kid does it all - he's definitely a threat," said Bernard about Rodgers. "You see what he causes on the offensive side, and I can't really imagine being a defense going against our offense with James back there."
But the Beaver defense, much like it had all year long, proved to be the deciding factor in the win. The Terrapins rattled off two long touchdown passes in the first quarter, but from that point on, first downs became virtually obsolete for the Terp offense.
Thirty years ago, Beaver believers couldn't have fathomed the amount of success that the program has recently grown accustomed to. Fortunately for them, they don't have to imagine anymore. Oregon State's seven-point victory over Maryland in the 2007 Emerald Bowl was its fourth straight bowl victory and its fourth victory in as many tries under head coach Mike Riley.
Even with sloppy weather, a handful of offensive starters unable to play and an early strike by Maryland, Oregon State was able to claw its way to another postseason victory, making those longtime Beaver believers proud as ever.
Unlike the majority of the season's games, the Emerald Bowl didn't have the greatest beginning, as starting quarterback Lyle Moevao went down twice in the first quarter. Moevao first suffered an arm injury on the Beavers' first possession before a leg injury took him out of the game for good. Once sophomore Sean Canfield was at the helm, however, Oregon State was able to do enough to ensure a win.
"We just had to keep on going like we had been doing," said running back Yvenson Bernard about Moevao going down. "We'd gone through our bumps in the road, and we just keep on going, and that's what I love about this team."
Canfield hooked up with freshman James Rodgers on a 14-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at seven, giving the Beaver offense a much-needed spark early on. That was just the beginning of a memorable night for Rodgers.
Known for his speed on the fly sweep, the true freshman ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns. He was also Oregon State's leading receiver on the night, catching five balls for 40 yards.
"That kid does it all - he's definitely a threat," said Bernard about Rodgers. "You see what he causes on the offensive side, and I can't really imagine being a defense going against our offense with James back there."
But the Beaver defense, much like it had all year long, proved to be the deciding factor in the win. The Terrapins rattled off two long touchdown passes in the first quarter, but from that point on, first downs became virtually obsolete for the Terp offense.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Comments by registered users are approved by default.