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Oregon State Beavers outclass Bears
Joe Cronin October 6, 2003 |
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Berkeley, CA - The California Golden Bears lost to maybe the best defense in the country. The Beavers of Oregon State subdued the Bears by a 35-21 score, before 39,150 at Memorial Stadium. “They have the speed up front, the backers, and the corners are tough. Very good team speed,” said Cal head coach Jeff Tedford. “Without a doubt this was the best defense Cal has faced this year.” Oregon State scored four touchdowns in the first half, doubling the time of Cal's possession 20 ˝ minutes to 9 ˝ and 294 total yards to 98, and a 28-14 score. The two-touchdown lead held up through the game. Beavers running back Steve Jackson rushed for 227 yards and three scores. Last year in Corvallis, he gained 239 yards and three scores. That's 466 yards in two games. A great player. You don't bring him down with an arm tackle. You got to put a body on him or two or three bodies. His offensive line does a nice job of blocking for him. He has great speed and when he gets around, (the corner) he can go. “He's a great running back... When you have to load the box just to stop Jackson, he makes you do things defensively you don't want to,” said Tedford, “Then they did a good job mixing it up offensively.” Jackson is the real deal. Speed and great running ability together with size, he's 6-3, 229 pounds and reminds you of Bo Jackson. He says he wants to stay in school, and that makes him a probable candidate for the Heisman trophy next season. Beavers quarterback Derek Anderson had a great day, too. He was 18-of-27 for 224 yards and two TDs, with one interception. “He played as well as I've seen him play,” said Tedford. Cal quarterback Aaron Rogers was 9-for-34 for 52 yards with one interception. Rogers was not the reason for the loss, as much as the overwhelming defense. “I'm not sure I gave (the offense) the right answers today,” admits Tedford. Tedford described the Beaver defense as the best he has seen since coming to Cal. Middle linebacker Richard Seigler was especially tough. Cal kicked off to the Beavers and they marched down the field to score. The big play was Anderson to James Newson for 34 yards, the score was on a two yard keeper by Anderson. Cal went three and out, then Oregon State was six and out. Cal got the ball back and Rogers fumbled on the Cal 15. Three plays later Steven Jackson scored from seven yards out, and it's 14-0. Cal stopped themselves and Oregon State got the ball back and moved it to the Cal 32. Anderson had his pass picked off by Cal freshman Daymeion Hughes at the Cal 28 and he ran it back for a touchdown. Cal was not moving the ball, so the 14-7 score looked pretty darn good. The Bears received a 15 yard penalty for celebration and Fredrickson kicks off out of bounds, so the Beavers get the ball at midfield, like a gift. Steven Jackson went over left end for 38 yards, and then the final 12 for the score. That made it 21-7. Only two scores and the Bears would be right back in it. After several exchanges, Oregon State got the ball deep in their own territory, slowly moving down the field and then helped immeasurably by an 'illegal helmet contact' and a 'roughing the passer' penalty. Thirty yards in penalties. The score was on a 20 yard pass down the middle to tight end Tim Euhus. Cal came back, thanks to a few gifts from the Beavers. Echemandu for 17 yards, then for 11 more brought it to midfield. Pass interference, roughing the passer, and defensive holding got the ball to the Oregon State 11. Rogers shovel passed it to Echemandu to the one. Echemandu went up the middle for the score that made it 28-14. In the third quarter Cal received the kickoff and moved it right down to the score. Echemandu had 33 and 23 yard runs, and the two yard score to make it 28-21. On the next series, Oregon State moved it down the field, aided by a beautiful 66 yard scamper by Jackson. The rest of the game was an anti-climatic punting contest. Cal had trouble competing with an Oregon State team that was not only it greatly talented, but also playing very well. “We had opportunities, but we just didn't complete them,” said Tedford. “This next week off will sure help us in getting rid of bruises.” Next game is in the Pasadena Rose Bowl on October 18th against the UCLA Bruins. Bruins against Bears...It should be a lot of biting and snapping. |
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