BFS Story Archive

Game 10 - Stanford Cardinal

Hello Beaver Fans,

Every season their is always a special game that means more then any other game during the year. It may not involve a great rival, it may not have an impact on the bowl situation, it may not be against a top ranked team. But this game is special every year for one big reason. It is the final home game for the seniors on the team. It is the last time the seniors will play a game in Reser Stadium and the last time we will have the opportunity as fans to show them at home just how much their efforts have meant to us over the 4 or 5 years they have played at OSU. This year a total of 18 seniors will be making their final appearance at Reser Stadium when Oregon State plays Stanford on Saturday. This group has compiled a four-year record of 30-15 and has participated in two bowl games, and quite probably a third following this season.So on Saturday, really show your appreciation for what these young men have accomplished and cheer them real load when they come on the field.

2003 Beaver Seniors

  • Brandon Catanese - FS
  • D.J. Coote - CB
  • Matt Davis - OG
  • Dwan Edwards - DT
  • Tim Euhus -TE
  • Kenny Farley - WR
  • Jason Haas -OL
  • Jayson Jean-Baptiste - DE
  • Brian Kilkenny - OT
  • David Lose - OG
  • Jason Lowe - LB
  • John Millar - P
  • James Newson - WR
  • Dan Rothwell - DE
  • Richard Siegler - LB
  • Carl Tobey - P
  • Lawrence Turner - SS
  • Kirk Yliniemi - PK

THE GAME

In the month of November, every game is a big game and this is no exception. The Beavers are currently in forth place in the conference with a chance to move up in the standings with a little help from other teams like Oregon, Arizona State and Arizona.Stanford is a team that is rolling and has a lot of confidence after winning their last two games. In fact a Stanford player this week guaranteed victory this week, which is not a smart thing to do. It only serves to fire up the other team. But the Beavers need to be prepared and ready to play from the opening kickoff this Saturday. The last time they came off a bye week they were beaten by a so-so husky team and looked flat the whole game.The Beavers did not handle the bye week this time the same way they did the last time. They stayed with their routine and practiced hard both weeks so lets hope that keeps them sharp for Saturday. The other issue with this game is the Civil War is next week and the players may be looking ahead to the Ducks. But from listening to the coaching staff this week I feel that the team will be well prepared for Stanford and will not be looking past the Cardinal. Stanford motivation in the game is that after winning the last two they have a chance to make a bowl game with two more wins in their last three games.

BY THE NUMBERS

The stats on both teams show a decided advantage for the Beavers in almost every offensive and defensive category. After their victory over Arizona and the Bye week the Beavers now rank in the top 2 in the conference in 10 categories I look at. While the Cardinal in those same 10 categories rank at or near the bottom of the conference. Areas of concern for the Beavers are as usual, special teams. Stanford ranks first in kickoff coverage and third in punt returns while the Beavers rank at or near the bottom in those areas. Stanford also is forth in the PAC-10 in rushing defense and 3rd in Red Zone Defense. Stanford's defense has played well this season, keeping them in many games while the offense has struggled. However the defense could not keep it up the whole game and it is the offense or lack their of that has cost the Cardinal many games.

THE SERIES

Oregon State and Stanford have played 69 games in the series with the Cardinal holding a 46-20-3 overall edge. The Beavers currently have a two-game winning streak in the series and have won four of the last six games. OSU won 31-21 at Stanford last year and 38-6 in Corvallis during the 2000 season. All told, the Beavers are 9-16-1 in Corvallis, 2-6 in Portland and 9-24-2 in Palo Alto. Mike Riley is 1-1 vs. the Cardinal and Stanford's Buddy Teevens is 0-1 vs. Oregon State.

WHO TO WATCH

Stanford has many talented players and some real game breakers that the Beavers will need to keep and eye on during the game.

  • Chris Lewis - QB - 130-65-7 50.0%
  • Luke Powell - WR / PR - 34 catches 386 yards 11.4 ave.
    Powell is one of the top receivers in Stanford history and a real threat on offense and punt returns.
  • Ken Tolon - RB - 128 carries for 480 yards
  • JR Lemon - RB - 86 carries for 387 yards
  • Trent Edwards - QB - 139-66-8 47.5%
  • Atogwe, Oshiomogho - 39 solo tackles 63 total
  • Oshinowo, Babatunde 14 solo tackles 17 total 4 sacks
  • Nick Sebes - KR - third in PAC-10 in kick return average

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Beavers cannot look past Stanford. They are a team that has been improving all season and has a lot of confidence going into this game. The Beavers have to score first to keep Stanford from gaining more confidence early in the game and then shut down the Stanford offense on defense. The Beavers need to score early and often in this game to demoralize the Cardinal. If they let Stanford hang around into the second half with a chance to win it will be a tough afternoon for the Beavers. The offense needs to maintain control of the ball and eliminate turnovers. The Beavers offense did a good job of doing just that against Arizona and they need to do the same thing this week. The defense needs to play sharp and stop the big play. Stanford has thrived on the big play the last two weeks and have a couple of big play guys who can hurt you on special teams. But Stanford has given up 15 interceptions this season on offense and the Beavers have three players in the top 10 in interceptions in the PAC-10.The Beavers are first in the PAC-10 in time of possession and they need to continue that trend on Saturday by pounding the ball with Steven Jackson and then going up top to exploit the Cardinal secondary who have only 6 interceptions this year. I look for the Beavers to beat the spread and win big at home in the final home game this season.

FINAL SCORE

Beavers 35
Stanford 17

 

2003 Schedule
TEAM
DATE
Home/Away
Sacramento St
08/28
WIN 40-7
@ Fresno St.
09/05
LOSS 14-16
New Mexico St.
09/13
WIN 28-16
Boise St.
09/20
WIN 26-24
Arizona St.
09/27
WIN 45-17
@ CAL.
10/04
WIN 35-21
Wash.
10/18
LOSS 17-38
@ Wash. St.
10/25
LOSS 30-36
Arizona
11/01
WIN 52-23
Stanford
11/15
HOME
@ Oregon
11/22
AWAY
@ USC
12/06
AWAY

BY THE NUMBERS
*indicates advantage

SEASON STATS OSU STAN
SCORING OFF.(PPG) 31.9(2)* 20.0(9)
SCORING DEF.(PPG) 22.0(4)* 24.5(7)
PASSING OFF(YPG) 294.4(1)* 184.5(9)
PASSING DEF. (YPG) 220.8(2)* 283.4(10)
RUSHING OFF.(YPG) 144.0(3)* 121.1(7)
RUSHING DEF.(YPG) 86.1(2)* 99.6(4)
TOTAL OFF 438.4(2)* 305.6(8)
TOTAL DEF. 306.9(1) 383.0(7)
TURNOVER RATIO -3(8) +0(5)*
SACKS TAKEN 20(10)* 20(10)
SACKS ALLOWED 22(5) 21(4)*
PENALTIES(YPG) 117.6(10) 76.1(6)*
THIRD DOWN CONV. 40.6(2)* 38.2(4)
FORTH DOWN CONV. 33.3(6)* 16.7(10)
PUNTING 36.0(8) 37.1(5)*
PUNT RETURNS 5.8(10) 9.0(5)*
KICK OFF RETURNS 15.7(10) 21.4(3)*
RED ZONE OFF. 84.6(1)* 75.9(5)
RED ZONE DEF. 62.1(1)* 73.1(3)
FIELD GOALS .812(3)* .500(9)
TIME OF POSS. 32:07(1)* 30:30(5)

2003 Season Standings

PAC - 10 STANDINGS
AFTER WEEK 11
Team
Pac 10
Overall
Washington State
5-1
8-2
USC
4-1
8-1
UCLA
4-2
6-4
Oregon State
3-2
6-3
Oregon
3-3
6-4
Washington
3-3
5-5
California
3-3
5-6
Stanford
2-4
4-4
Arizona State
1-5
4-6
Arizona
1-5
2-8

 

BFS