The tables have turned for Oregon State this season. After Saturday’s 20-17 loss to Stanford, the Beavers dropped to 5-5 and are now in need of an upset win over No. 10 Oregon to become bowl eligible.
Last season Oregon State shut the door on the Ducks’ post-season play with a 50-21 shellacking at Reser Stadium. The Beavers travel to Autzen
Stadium for a shot at both their sixth win of the season and first back-to-back victories over Oregon since 1974.
Last weekend’s home loss against Stanford was costly for Oregon State for reasons aside from earning a bowl bid. Early in the second quarter, junior quarterback Matt Moore went down with a sprained knee and is doubtful for Saturday’s Civil War. Prior to his exit, Moore completed five of 14 passes for 94 yards and connected with wide receiver Anthony Wheat-Brown for a touchdown.
Coach Mike Riley announced Monday that he will likely give the ball to sophomore Ryan Gunderson to start at quarterback. The Portland native went 11 of 26 for 156 yards in relief against the Cardinal, but was largely ineffective, not leading the Beavers to a single touchdown.
With Moore out of the lineup, the Oregon State defense picked up the slack against Stanford and scored a touchdown of its own. Defensive end Jeff Van Orsow intercepted Stanford quarterback Trent Edwards on the Cardinal’s 22-yard line with 2:34 left in the first half and returned it for six to narrow Stanford’s lead to 17-14. Alexis Serna of Oregon State had a chance to tie the game going into the half with a 44-yard field goal attempt, but missed wide-left. Serna was later good from 34-yards in the third quarter, closing the score to 20-17. It was the last score of the afternoon for Oregon State. Serna later had a chance to knot the game at 20 with 16 seconds left in regulation, but his 52-yard attempt fell short of the crossbar. It was the last of three missed field goals on the day for the
sophomore kicker.
Stanford’s win Saturday was the first in a winless streak of four years against the Beavers. They had not won at Reser Stadium since 1997.
Improved on the ground
The Beavers finished 10th in the Pacific-10 Conference last year in rushing, but have seen tremendous improvement this season thanks to sophomore tailback Yvenson Bernard. Bernard is second to Jerome Harrison in the Pac-10 in rushing yards with 1,193. On the other side of the ball, Oregon State’s rushing defense is first in the conference.
Here’s the kicker
Serna made a name for himself last year when he missed three PATs in Oregon State’s season-opening 22-21 loss at LSU. Since then, he has not missed a single conversion and his field goal kicking has helped him become a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, which honors the nation’s top placekicker. He nailed six field goals en route to the Beaver’s 18-10 win over Washington two weeks ago. He went 5 of 5 in his first Civil War game last year, making field goals from 20, 19, 32, 23 and 31 yards out.
Hold that line
Oregon State’s offensive line, touted as the “Beaver dam,” has holes to patch up before they even think of upsetting Oregon. The Beavers have surrendered a near conference worst 31 sacks for 202 yards. Six of those came last weekend against Stanford. With Oregon’s defense having 30 sacks to their credit – good for second best in the Pac-10 – the Ducks should have a field day chasing Gunderson on Saturday.
Time is on their side
Oregon State may be seventh in the Pac-10 in scoring, but that is not because it’s lacking in time of possession. The Beavers top the conference averaging more than 32 possession minutes per game.
Turnovers turn away wins
More wins could easily have gone to the Beavers this season if they protected the ball. Their minus nine turnover margin rests at the bottom of the conference behind Cal and Arizona (-8).

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