2002 Football OSU vs Washington Hello Beaver Fans, It was a near perfect day for college football. The temperature was in the mid forties, and a chilled wind as blowing in from several directions at once. The view out the east end of Husky stadium was beautiful. Thousands of Beaver Nation had made the trip to Seattle for the big game. The Kettle Corn was popping, the Husky Dogs were tasty, the band was loud and proud, the cheerleaders were pumped up and ready, the crowd was ready, the players were ready, lets get it on. The Beavers defense came out and held the PAC-10 leading Husky passing game to 262 yards, 100 yards below average. And they held the PAC-10 leading Husky offense to 299 yards total offense, 143 yards below average. The Defense held the Husky offense to 27 points, 2 below average. The Huskies time of possession was 2 minutes below average with 30:25 minutes. Richard Seigler had 17 tackles for the defense. The Beavers offense was clicking. Steven Jackson rushed for 135 yards on 35 carries and the Beavers rushed for 158 yards total against the PAC-10 leading rush defense that was averaging only 84.6 yards rushing per game given up per game. James Newson had 5 catches for 138 yards and one TD. Kirk Yliniemi was 3 for 3 on field goals of 50,43,26 yards. The Beavers offensive line gave up zero sacks on the day and kept the Husky D-line out of the backfield most of the day. Derek Anderson threw for 250 yards and 1 touchdown. It was almost the perfect road game for a team desperate for a road win to clinch a post season bowl berth. The Beavers team showed up to play and play they did….except for one person and a few simple words. Did I forget to mention that Derek Anderson threw 5 interceptions, two of which were returned for a touchdown!!!! Yes that is what I said FIVE INTERCEPTIONS!!! Yes 5 interceptions to the 9th ranked pass defense in the conference. The defense that prior to Saturday had 7 interceptions all season. Those 5 interceptions were part of yet another forgettable day in the horror story that has become Derek Andersons first PAC-10 season as a starting quarterback. Derek was 15 of 40 with 5 picks for 250 yards and 1 TD. The 5 picks had to be some of the worst passes and examples of bad decision making I have seen in a quarterback. Those 5 interceptions cost the Beavers the game. Take away those 14 points on interception returns for TD's and the 41-29 loss to the Huskies becomes a 29-27 win for the Beavers. Take away those 5 interceptions and the Beavers have clinched a winning season and a post season game. It was the most depressing exhibition I have ever personally witnessed. To top that off, Anderson once again sprained his ankle with only minutes left in the game and is day to day this week. Derek Anderson has all the physical skills to be a great quarterback, but it just goes to show you that size and arm strength do not a quarterback make. It takes intelligence, an understanding of how to read a defense and the ability to make the correct decision when all is crumbling around you. Jonathan Smith is proof of that. He understood the game, Anderson does not at this point. He is rattled, he has lost his confidence, he is making bad throws and worse yet, the other teams know it. They know if they can apply the pressure, even a little that he will crack and make the bad decision or throw the bad pass. What was once a national leader in passing efficiency has become the rubble that is now the 9th ranked quarterback in the PAC-10 and the 69th ranked quarterback in the nation in passing efficiency. Derek has got to grow up, and grow up now. There is no time for him to wallow in self pity. He has a team to lead and 40,000 or more Beavers fans pouring their hearts and their money into this program counting on him to get his act together before next weekend. The other problem with the game Saturday was one we have become accustom to. Mouths being open when they should be shut. Richard Seigler made the bonehead decision to post comments on the Husky bulletin board before the game about how the Huskies were down and the Beavers were going to put them further down. The team also was taunting the Huskies in the tunnel before the game as well. I have always been taught and have taught the kids I coach to keep your mouth shut and let your play on the field do all the talking. Whenever I have heard another team talking trash to my players I have used it to motivate my players even more. Rick Neuheisel did just that. When will these young men learn to keep their mouths shut and just play the game with class and intensity? Beat the other team on the field where it counts and then walk away like you have been doing it your whole life. That's how it should be done. For the Beavers to make it to a bowl game now, they must now win 2 games with two to go and get some help from the Ducks, the Cougars and Arizona. More on the Bowl situation in another newsletter.
POST GAME BY THE NUMBERS
NEXT UP The Beavers travel to Stanford this week. Stanford is currently 9th in the PAC-10 with a record of 1-5 and 2-7 overall. The Beavers need this game badly to stay alive for a post season bowl game. More on this game on Thursday. BFS |
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