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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 26, 2008

Oregon St. stuns No. 1 Trojans USC-OSU

By Anne M. Peterson
Associated Press

CORVALLIS, Ore. — It had been 41 years since Oregon State knocked off a No. 1 team.

Freshman Jacquizz Rodgers helped the Beavers pull off another stunner - and Southern California was the victim again.

Rodgers ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns, and Oregon State built a 21-point first-half lead before capitalizing on a late turnover and upsetting the Trojans, 27-21, last night.

Beavers fans, clad in orange, rushed the field when the clock ran out after the 25-point underdogs shook up college football with a victory over the team that was expected to roll right through its conference straight to the national championship game.

"I think we made a statement, like we can come out and beat anybody on any given day. It's not always the best team that wins on a day. It's who plays hard," Rodgers said.

The Beavers (2-2, 1-1 Pacific-10) also upset USC at Reser Stadium in 2006, when the Trojans were ranked third. The team's lone victory over a No. 1 team came in 1967, when Oregon State beat the O.J. Simpson-led Trojans, 3-0.

USC quarterback Mark Sanchez's pass was intercepted by safety Greg Laybourn on the 30 with less than 3 minutes to play. Laybourn ran the ball back 28 yards to put Oregon State on the 2, and Rodgers ran in the final 2 yards to make it 27-14.

Sanchez hit Patrick Turner with a 14-yard scoring pass with 1:19 left, but time ran out on the Trojans (2-1, 0-1).

"I'm beside myself," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "They didn't hide what they were doing, they just did it. We couldn't stop it. We couldn't tackle."

Rodgers' rushing yards were the most by a Trojans opponent since Texas' Vince Young ran for 200 in the 2006 BCS national championship game.

Rodgers' brother James had six catches for 36 yards and two scores for Oregon State. Lyle Moevao was 18 of 26 for 167 yards and two TDs.

"They came out and competed," Oregon State coach Mike Riley said of his team. "We were respectful, but not in awe."

USC tailback Joe McKnight rushed for just 10 yards against the Beavers, after gaining 105 yards in the Trojans' 35-3 victory over Ohio State. Sanchez completed 18 of 29 passes for 227 yards and three scores, with the one crucial interception.

"Not our sharpest tonight - everybody, every position. There's not need to point fingers," Sanchez said. "I'm as guilty as anyone else. I threw an interception - costly late in the game."

TULANE 34, SMU 27

NEW ORLEANS - Kevin Moore passed for three touchdowns and Andre Anderson ran for 219 yards and a score, leading Tulane over SMU for its second straight victory.

Moore completed 19 of 24 passes for 254 yards. He was intercepted once. Two of his touchdowns went to Jeremy Williams on passes of 51 and 21 yards. His other TD pass went for 23 yards to Alan Mitchell on what was Mitchell's first college catch. Williams finished with six catches for 124 yards.

June Jones' spread offense continues to be a work in progress at SMU, but showed promise in spurts.

Bo Levi Mitchell was 21 of 44 for 256 yards and three TDs. He was intercepted twice, by David Skehan and Josh Lumar, as the Mustangs fell behind 31-7 at halftime.