Nov. 8, 2010

Complete Release in PDF Format

Game Coverage
Gametracker	Live Audio	Gameday Central
TV: FSN NW	Radio: Beaver Radio Network

THIS WEEK: Oregon State (4-4, 3-2 Pac-10) hosts the Washington State Cougars (1-9, 0-7) Nov. 13. The game will kickoff at 1:10 p.m. and air live on FSN Northwest.

SERIES: The series dates back to 1903 with WSU holding a 47-44-3 advantage. The Beavers have won three straight, five of the last six and seven of 10. The average score in the series over the last three games has OSU with a 53-13 edge. Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns in last season's 42-10 OSU win in Pullman. Former Beaver quarterback Sean Canfield tossed for two touchdowns on 22 of 29 completions for 231 yards. The Beavers' offense outgained WSU 567-192 and had an edge in first downs of 31-13.

ATTENDANCE: Oregon State is on school record pace for home attendance, averaging 45,409 per game, which includes the fourth-largest crowd in Reser Stadium history of 45,439 when California visited. This year has also featured the fifth-largest crowd of 45,409 for Arizona State and the sixth-largest attendance at 45,379 vs. Louisville - the largest crowd ever for a non-conference game.

PAEA ON BEDNARIK LIST: Senior defensive tackle Stephen Paea was announced Nov. 8 as one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club. For more on Paea look for his current bio on page 10 of this release.

88: OSU's total defense, allowing 412.6 yards per game, ranks 88th in the country. While that is hardly a ranking to brag about, it's a ranking that has improved from 119th (120 teams) prior to the Oct. 30 game vs. Cal. OSU has played three of the top 19 offenses this season (Boise State, 4; TCU, 8; & Arizona, 19) and still have three of the nation's top 14 offenses to face (Oregon, 1; Stanford, 13; & USC, 14). The Beavers are now seventh in the conference for defense, while WSU is 10th and 120th at 477.2 yards allowed.

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE, WIN THE GAME: Over the last 83 games, Oregon State is 33-8 when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent, 9-19 when committing more and 9-5 when even. Oregon State lost just 11 turnovers for the 2009 season, the second-fewest in the nation (Cincinnati - 10). Over the last 20 games, the Beavers have just 12 turnovers.

15: The number of touchdowns for Jacquizz Rodgers this season, which is tied for fifth in the nation. Quizz is third among active players for career touchdowns with 49, trailing the 61 by Oklahoma's DeMarco Murray and the 53 by Nevada's Colin Kaepernick. Quizz had his streak of consecutive games with a touchdown stopped at 12 games at UCLA (Nov. 6) and now has scored at least one touchdown in 19 of his last 21 games.

3:1: That's the ratio for touchdown passes vs. interceptions (12/4) for starting quarterback Ryan Katz. If that ratio continues it would tie the best mark by a starting quarterback for any Mike Riley American football coached team - San Antonio (WLAF, 1991-92), San Diego Chargers (1999-2001) and Oregon State (1997-98, 2003-present). Riley coached the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1987-90. Sean Canfield, last year's starter had the same ratio (21/7).

ZERO: The number of lost fumbles for the Beavers this season, the fewest in the nation (Maryland, Ohio State & Wisconsin have two). Overall, OSU has just four turnovers (interceptions), which also leads the country (Iowa has 6). WSU ranks tied for 100th with 22. The Beavers tied for second in the nation last year with four fumbles lost and tied for 10th in 2008 with 10 lost.

THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS: In Oregon State's four victories combined, the team has converted 21 of 50 (42%) third down opportunities while in its four losses just 18 of 50 (36%). Defensively, in OSU's victories opponents are 21 of 54 (39%), in the losses 34 of 63 (54%). OSU is just 5 of 29 (17%) on third down conversions in the fourth quarter, which would partly explain the Beavers scoring only 13 points in the period (scoreless in the 4th quarter of the last three games).

CLOSE CALLS: Beaver fans have learned to deal with the stress of close football games, and for the most part, the outcomes have been favorable. OSU is 17-7 since the start of the 2006 season in games decided by seven points or less.

PRESSURE POINT: While the numbers might not indicate it, the Beavers have had some timely stops on defense of late. Part of that reason is the increased pressure on quarterbacks as OSU has 19 of its 21 sacks in the last five games, including six against Arizona State's Steven Threet.

50: The number of yards quarterback Ryan Katz has netted this season rushing; he has gained 172 overall, but sack yardage is figured into rushing total. That might not seem like a lot, but does show Katz's mobility. The last time OSU had a starting quarterback with positive rushing yards for the season was 1997 when Tim Alexander, formerly an option quarterback in Jerry Pettibone's system, had a team-high 288 yards in Mike Riley's first year as a head coach at OSU.

RECORDS THREATENED IN RETURN GAME: Oregon State ranks among the national leaders for both punt and kickoff returns. The Beavers are second in the Pac-10 and the nation for kickoff return average at 27.0 yards per attempt, which would be a school record. The team is third in the league and ninth in the country for punt return yardage per attempt at 15.7 yards, which would be the second-highest mark in school history.

WOOD CHIPS: Bleacherreports.com in August rated Mike Riley the sixth best coach in the country ... Kirk Herbstreit named Riley the most underrated coach in his 10th annual Herbie Awards, released in August - he also tabbed Jacquizz Rodgers as the "most exciting player" in the nation and second on his "ankle breaker" players list, James Rodgers as the fifth-best receiver, Stephen Paea (DT) was fifth on the "players who don't get enough respect" ... Jacquizz Rodgers became a father with the birth of his daughter, Channing, Sept. 4, 2010 ... Stephen Paea became a father with the birth of his daughter Leimana Fungani Losehina Leiataua Taylor Paea Oct. 6, 2010 ... Ted Miller of ESPN.com rated Jacquizz Rodgers No. 1 on his list of best players in the Pac-10, Stephen Paea was No. 5 and James Rodgers No. 6 ... Rivals.com rated the Beaver coaching staff No. 12 in the nation ... OSU president Ed Ray, through April 2011, is the chairman of the NCAA's Executive Committee, which approves any proposed change before it can become NCAA law ... linebacker Keith Pankey competes in remote control racing car contests ... offensive coordinator Danny Langsdorf and his wife Michele became first time parents Aug. 17 - a son named Dawsen ... student assistant coach Jay Harbaugh is the son of Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh, who was Riley's quarterback with the San Diego Chargers ... OSU opened the season in the Associated Press Top-25 (No. 24) for the first time since 2001 ... safety Lance Mitchell was selected the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week for Sept. 6 after making a career-high 18 tackles in the season opener vs. TCU ... quarterback Ryan Katz was selected the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Week for Oct. 11 after throwing for 393 yards (10th most at OSU) and two touchdowns, and adding one rushing score in the victory over No. 9 Arizona ... OSU had 10 pass completions against TCU, the fewest since eight in 2002 against California ... the 51 plays vs. TCU is the fewest since 49 in 1993 against Washington State ... a non-conference school record 45,379 fans visited Reser Stadium Sept. 18, 2010 for the home opener vs. Louisville ... backup quarterback Cody Vaz saw his first action of the season in the fourth quarter vs. Louisville after starter Ryan Katz left the game with a minor injury ... reserve linebacker Michael Doctor and reserve receiver Kevin Cummings are the only true freshman to play this season ... OSU's win over Arizona State Oct. 2 marked the first Pac-10 season opening victory since 2003 ... OSU started the year 2-0 in league play for the first time since 2003 ... OSU hasn't been held to single digits for scoring in a regular season game since Nov. 3, 2007 at USC (24-3) ... OSU has been on live television 38 of the last 39 games, missing only the Nov. 21, 2009 date at Washington State ... ESPNU produced an All-Access show on OSU football that aired the week of Oct. 18.