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2006 Sun Bowl Addition - Oregon State vs Missouri - Postgame
Dec. 30, 2009

With 13:06 to go in the 4th quarter the Missouri Tigers scored on an 18 pass from Chase Daniel to Chase Coffman to make the score Missouri 38 Oregon State 24. The feeling in the stands and around Beaver Nation was grim. But not on the Oregon State sideline. It was still business as usual for the Beavers. There was no sign of panic, just a strong belief that they could do what they had done 4 times before in games this past season. Win it in the end. And as the process began to show itself on the field, a glimmer of hope started to rise in the minds and hearts of the Beavers faithful around the nation.

After missing on a 4th and short with 11:28 to go the Beavers defense made the first of two defensive stands that would help fulfill the destiny of this team. The Beaver defense forced Missouri to a three and out and got the ball back on their own 24 yard line with 8:08 to go in the game. The Beaver offense then put together a 7 play 76 yard drive that took 3:15 off the clock and ended with a touchdown pass to Evenson Bernard that closed the gap to 38-31 with 5:24 to go in the game.

Once again, the Beaver defense took the field and with the game on the line, forced Missouri to punt after an 8 play 30 yard drive that consumed 4:21 off the clock. With 1:41 to go in the game, the fate of Oregon State season came down to the confidence and faith that Coach Mike Riley had shown in his team since their struggles early in the season as well as the confidence the players had in their teammates.

Missouri's punt sailed to the 8 yard line where Sammy Sroughter cut left then back to the right and dashed up the sideline for 38 yards bringing the ball to the OSU 46 with 1:45 to go in the game. Seven plays later, Matt Moore hit tight end Joe Newton on a 14 pass play for the apparent game tieing touchdown. Missouri called a timeout to have the catch reviewed and it was in that time that Mike Riley showed his confidence in his players and allowed them to go for the two point conversion after the players wanted to end it now and not go to overtime.

The go for broke, lay it all on the table mentality was a topic of conversation among players and coaches earlier in the week and it seemed like the right thing to do. Three yards later, the Oregon State Beavers had done the nearly impossible. They had overcome a 14 point deficit and scored a two point conversion to win the 2006 Sun Bowl.

BY THE NUMBERS

Key	STATISTIC	OSU	MIssouri	Advantage
.	Records	10-4 (6-3)	8-5 (4-4)	OSU
.	Scoring Offense	39	38	OSU
.	Pass Attempts	31/54=.574	17/32=.531	OSU
.	Passing Offense/YPP	356/6.6	359/11.2	UM
X	Kickoff Returns	23.5	9.0	OSU
X	Punting	42.6	38.2	OSU
.	Turnover Margin	2	2	TIE
.	Rushing Attempts / YPC	29/3.5	33/6.1	UM
X	Rushing Offense	101	202	UM
.	Total Offense	457	561	UM
X	Punt Return Average	3/54	1/-1	OSU
.	First Downs	30	21	OSU
.	Sacks	.	.	.
.	Penalties	2/15	1/15	TIE
X	Red Zone Offense	.	.	.
X	3rd Down Conversions	6/15	5/13	OSU
X	4th Down Conversions	2/3	1/1	OSU
.	Field Goals	1/29	1/30	TIE
.	Time of Possession	33.35	26.25	OSU
X	Totals	10 wins	4 wins	OSU

 

In my 40 years of going to Oregon State football games I do not think I have ever been prouder of a group of players and coaches as I am of this team. To come back from a 2-3 record with the fans booing them at home and asking for players and coaches heads. To go 8 of 9 the rest of the way, finish third in the pac10 and win the Sun Bowl in dramatic fashion is a memory I will always have. I am sure it will be one the players and coaches will always cherish as well.

FINAL SCORE

OREGON STATE 39 - MISSOURI 38

GO BEAVS!

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