Oregon State Destroys Cal

By: Michael Rivera
The LBCC Commuter
Video/Sports Editor

Corvallis, OR. 7:30 p.m:

Cold weather at Reser Stadium as the University of California-Berkley Golden Bears visit the #16 Oregon State Beavers. The Beaver Nation has much to cheer for as Oregon State easily breezes by Cal, 62-14.

Sean Mannion gets the start after Cody Vaz suffered an ankle injury in their last drive against Stanford. Riley describe Mannion as “chomping at the bit” during this week’s practice. Well, it definitely showed in this career performance. Mannion looked sharp after returning to the starting role, hitting 24 of 34 passes, 325 yards, 4 touchdowns and one interception. Freshman QB Richie Harrington got some playing time and capitalizes by throwing his first career touchdown. Harrington is a freshman walk-on could this year.

Cal basically handed Oregon State yards, getting called for 13 penalties for 159 yards. Many of these penalties lead to Oregon State scores. Beavers dominated the statistics columns this game, giving the Beavers a much needed boost in morale. Oregon State’s offense accumulated 559 yards and 9 touchdowns (5 passing, 4 rushing). Cal managed only 322 yards and two touchdowns.

The Oregon State defense looked strong as always, forcing 4 turnovers. CB Jordan Poyer receives his 6th interception of the season (17 total for Oregon State). Poyer also had 5 tackles, a broken up pass and a fumble recovery. Rashaad Reynolds and Anthony Watkins both had forced fumble and John Braun recovered a fumble as well.

Oregon State’s running game looks to be a tough machine to stop. Storm Woods went 64 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown as the starter. Terron Ward showed what he can do with a little bit of time, getting 14 carries for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns. FB Tyler Anderson also adds a score to make it 4 rushing touchdowns on the day for the Beavers.

Oregon State is came back nicely against Cal, as they lost a very physical game with Stanford, who beat #2 Oregon tonight in over time. Oregon State will have much built up momentum as they face a Oregon at home Nov. 24 at noon.

1st Quarter:

Beaver’s draw first blood after a couple Cal penalties move Oregon State into the Cal’s 17 yard line. Mannion hooks up with Markus Wheaton, who battles his way into the endzone for a 11 yard touchdown. With the extra point good,, Oregon State caps a 5 play, 44 yard drive, leading Cal 7-0.

Cal comes to answer the Oregon State. 1st & goal, Cal RB Isi Sofele runs in the 9 yard touchdown. With the extra point good, Cal finishes 82 yard drive in 9 plays as they tie the game 7-7 with 6:30 left in the 1st quarter.

Oregon State capitalizes on many Cal mistakes. RB Terron Ward breaks out a 38 yard run to the Cal 17 yard line. Illegal hands to the face brings the ball to the 8 yard line. Storm Woods takes it up the middle for a 7 yard gain, which looks like a touchdown, but is ruled short. Next play, FB Tyler Anderson punches it in the 1 yard touchdown. Romaine hits the extra point to take back the lead, 14-7. The Beavers went 68 yards in 9 plays.

2nd Quarter:

Cal’s Daniel Lasco fumbles the ball  and Oregon State’s John Braun recovers the ball at the Oregon State 38 yard line. Mannion throws a bomb downfield and Cooks pushes back to catch the ball and zig-zags his way into the endzone for a 48 yard touchdown. Romaine hits another PAT to cap a 62 yard drive in just 3 plays. Oregon State leads by 21-7 with 10:56 in the first half.

Oregon State ball at their own 31, with 9:17 left in the first half, Mannion hits Cooks for 12 yards to bring it to the Oregon State 42 yards line. Cal’s Josh Hill gets called for a 15 yard penalty moving Oregon State to Cal’s 48. Mannion finds Wheaton for 10 yards, pushing to the Cal 28. Cal Denadr Coleman called for a personal foul, moving Oregon State to the Cal 14. Mannion finds Connor Hamlett for a 14 yard strike. Romain hits his extra point and the Beavs push ahead 28-7, with 7:13 left in the game. Drive goes 6 plays for 69 yards in 2:12.

2:00 left in the first half, Oregon State still drives down the field. After a couple big runs  by Terron Ward, Oregon State lands on the  Cal 6 yard line. Mannion finds a Micah Hatfield for a 6 yard touchdown pass. With the go-ahead extra point, Oregon State leave the first half of play with a cozy 35-7 lead.
3rd Quarter:

Mannion continues to settle into his groove, hooking up with Hamlett for 15 yards, then Woods for 16 on the next play. Mannion fumbles the ball a couple plays later, but recovers it to keep the drive alive. Cal Steve Williams is called for a pass interference on Wheaton, moving Oregon State to the Cal 27. Mannion finds Hamlett again for a 26 yard gain right at the goal line. Storm Woods punches through the line, capping a 75 yard drive. Beavers lead 42-7 with the extra point.

Oregon State has had no problem running the ball tonight. Terron Ward breaks up the middle and breaks 3 tackles going 47 yards on the touchdown. Romaine kicks the extra point through the uprights as Oregon State relentlessly keeps the pressure on, leading 49-7.

4:58 in the 3rd quarter,  ball at the Cal 35 after Oregon State’s kickoff goes out of bounds. Cal drives to the Oregon State 1 yard line, where Solfele pushes in the go-ahead touchdown. Extra point is good and Cal barely slims the lead to 49-14.

4th Quarter:

Cal keeps adding up the penalties, going two back-to-back personal fouls, giving Oregon State and easy 30 yards. Ball on the Cal 17, Terron Ward continues his rampage with a 17 yard touchdown run. Romaine misses the extra point, but Oregon State still leads 55-14 (NOTE: This ties for the second highest score the Beavers have ran up since a 55-7 win over UCLA in 1999).

Freshman QB Richie Harrington comes into relieve Mannion. Harrington throws his first career touchdown to RB Malcolm Agnew for a 8 yard pass. PAT is good as the Beavers record their second highest score in their history, 62-14.