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BEAVERS TAKE DOWN #20 CAL 31-14

11-9-2009 - The Oregon State Beavers went into CAL on Saturday and Sean Canfield put on another exhibition of his skills while Jaquizz Rodgers was shut down most of the game. The Beavers defeated #20 (BCS) CAL 31-14 in front of 56,000+ at Memorial Stadium. In doing so the Beavers have moved themselves back into contention for the PAC-10 conference title but will need help from others if the Beavers hope to get back to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 45 years.

Sean Canfield was pinpoint accurate for most of the game going 29-39 for 342 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown and 1 interception. Canfields performance on Saturday kept him on top of the PAC-10 in yards per game with 264.6 just ahead of next weeks opponent Jake Locker (244.8).

It was an offensive performance the Beavers needed as the CAL defense shut down Quizz Rodgers for most of the game. In the first half Quizz had 5 yards on 10 carries. For the game Quizz finished with 78 yards on 25 carries and 1 touchdown. The rushing touchdown by Quizz gives him 15 on the season and 26 rushing touchdowns for his career. Quizz also has 2 career receiving touchdowns. An interesting statistic is that James and Quizz are 1, 2 in the PAC-10 in receptions per game at 7.33 and 6.44.

A fact that many may overlook from the CAL game was the play of the defense. For probably the first time this season the Beavers defense played a full 60 minutes of defense and shut down the CAL offense to the tune of 239 total yards with only 39 yards on the ground. The defense did allow CAL to score a late touchdown that was marked by several cases of stupid mistakes and penalties that helped CAL keep the drive alive but overall the Beavers defense had perhaps their best game of the season.

However the performance of the Beavers has been overlooked by the media by a very scary moment late in the second quarter when all-american running back Jahvid Best went high into the air for CAL's first score of the game and landed awkwardly on his back and lay motionless for several minutes. Best was taken to the hospital on a backboard and neck brace after the game was halted for 15 minutes for doctors and paramedics to work on the injured Best. As of this morning Best has been released from the hospital. He had a sever concussion. I hope Best gets well soon but I do not feel he should return to play anytime soon. Concussions are one of those things that doctors really do not know much about and players return to action far to soon from. I will have more on my opinions on that later this week.

On defense for the Beavers, senior linebacker Keaton Kristick has another solid game and was talked up by the Television announcers regarding his skills and potential to play at the next level. Kristick is hard hitting and has good speed. If he can add another 20 pounds to his frame and maintain his speed you could see Kristick playing on Sundays next fall. Kristick is currently third in the PAC-10 in tackles with 70 for the season.

The Beavers not only dominated CAL on the field but they dominated them in the stats. Of the 18 postgame stats we look at the Beavers won 13 categories and tied in three others. That means the Beavers won of tied 16 of eighteen statistical categories for the game, only losing on punting average by 2 yards and in penalties by 1 penalty.

Joe Halahuni has really come on strong the last few weeks and has been a key part of the success of the Beavers offense. At CAL, Halahuni had 6 catches for 129 yards. Many of those in key down and distance situations getting the Beavers first downs to extend drives. The Beavers offense, that at one time this season channeled 85% of it threw the Rodgers brothers has become much more balanced. Canfield completed passes to 7 different receivers on Saturday.

Next up for the Beavers is a Dads Weekend (yea for me) game at home against the Huskies. The Huskies are much improved this season and have had the Beavers number at Reser in the past few years giving the Beavers fits at home. I for one an looking forward to my first Dads weekend at OSU and will be cheering loudly with my daughter on Saturday for our Beavers.

GO BEAVERS BEAT THE HUSKIES!

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Key	STATISTIC	OSU	CAL	Advantage
.	Scoring Offense	31	14	OSU
.	Pass Attempts	29/39=.744	19/34=.558	OSU
.	Passing Offense/YPC	342/11.8	200/10.5	OSU
.	Kickoff Returns	17.0	17.2	TIE
.	Punting	40.2	42.4	CAL
.	Turnover Margin	-1	-1	TIE
.	Rushing Attempts / YPC	39/2.4	24/1.6	OSU
.	Rushing Offense	94	39	OSU
.	Total Offense	436	239	OSU
.	Punt Return - PUNTS/YPR	2/5.5	0/0	OSU
.	First Downs	23	14	OSU
.	Sacks	2	0	OSU
.	Penalties	6/36	5/32	CAL
.	Red Zone Offense	4/4	2/2	TIE
.	3rd Down Conversions	11/18	4/13	OSU
.	4th Down Conversions	1/1	0/0	OSU
.	Field Goals	1/2	0/0	OSU
.	Time of Possession	36.05	23.55	OSU
18	Totals	13 WINS	2 WINS	OSU

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