The Barometer Online

Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Curtis Barnard Junior quarterback Lyle Moevao sets up behind sophomore center Alex Linnenkohl in Oregon State's 45-7 win over Hawaii.

For the second week in a row the Oregon State football team looks to dethrone a top-ranked opponent on a national stage Thursday night.

A week after knocking off college football's then-number-one seed USC, the Beavers (2-2, 1-1) will travel to Salt Lake City to face a red-hot No. 15 Utah (5-0).

"We are looking forward to a very tough, tough game against Utah," head coach Mike Riley said. "We got a pretty good picture of what that team is about. They have an experienced, talented quarterback and a very aggressive defense."

Although it's a non-conference match up, the Utes and Beavers have quite the history. OSU leads the series, 9-4-1, claiming the most recent victory at Reser Stadium last season 24-7 in what was both teams' season opener.

In last year's contest, the Beavers' defense literally destroyed Utah's offense, holding them to 18 yards rushing and 178 in the air, much due to the absence of both their starting quarterback and running back.

Quarterback Brian Johnson and running back Matt Asiata were both sidelined in the season opener after early injuries. Johnson left the game due a hurt throwing arm as Asiata saw hopes of breakthrough season go out the window after a freak play resulted in a broken leg.

The 5-0 Utes have an explosive, high scoring offense averaging 38.4 points a game, almost 20 more than each of their first five opponents. Averaging four yards per carry on the year, Utah's backfield is comprised of a two-headed monster: Asiata and Darrell Mack.

"It's a trap ... I have told our men that this is really going to tell us who we are, do we truly understand about getting better and what that means and about living in the moment," Riley said. "I have a sense and I have faith in the fact that this team is grounded. You have to appreciate what you have done. There is nothing wrong with enjoying it, it's a very good thing."

Mack, a 6-foot, 220-pound senior out of Spring Valley, Calif., was a member of the Second-team all-Mountain West Conference in 2007 and finished the year with 1,204 yards, 3rd most in Utah history, and all of which while capitalizing on the misfortunes of teammate Asiata.

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