College football highlights: Oregon State creeps closer to Rose Bowl berth

The Associated Press • Published November 15, 2008

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CORVALLIS, Ore. – While the Oregon State Beavers wouldn't dare mention it, their fans weren't at all afraid.

"We Smell Roses!" read a trio of signs lofted by fans at Reser Stadium following No. 23 Oregon's 34-21 victory over California.

With the win, the Beavers edged closer to their first appearance in the Rose Bowl since New Year's Day, 1965.

Because Oregon State defeated then-No. 1 USC 27-21 on Sept 21, the Beavers hold the tiebreaker for a Rose Bowl berth should both teams win out. Oregon State visits Arizona next weekend before hosting Oregon in the Civil War rivalry game.

"It's just one step closer to our goals," Jacquizz Rodgers said of the Beavers' fifth straight win.

Lyle Moevao completed 14 of 28 passes for 145 yards for Oregon State (7-3, 6-1 Pacific-10 Conference. Jacquizz Rodgers, the Pac-10's leading rusher, ran for 144 yards and a score while older brother James Rodgers caught six passes for 50 yards and ran 18 yards for a touchdown.

Moevao referred to the Rose Bowl as "It."

"The thing about having it in the back of our minds is that we get hungry for it. We want it so bad," he said. "But we know what we are going to have to do and how we're going to get there."

Kevin Riley started at quarterback for Cal (6-4, 4-3) and completed 11 of 25 passes for 117 yards and a score. Jahvid Best ran for 116 yards and a touchdown.

OREGON 55, ARIZONA 45

At Eugene, Ore., Jeremiah Masoli threw for a career-high 298 yards and accounted for five touchdowns to lead the Ducks.

Masoli rushed for three touchdowns and threw for two more, all in the first half, for the Ducks (8-3, 6-2 Pac-10), who withstood Arizona's second-half rally from a 48-17 deficit.

Masoli, Oregon's sophomore quarterback, completed 21 of 26 passes including all 11 of his attempts in the second quarter, eclipsing his previous season-best of 161-yards passing.

He also rushed for 89 yards on 10 carries. But it was Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount who sealed the victory with a 40-yard touchdown run with 3:38 to play after the Wildcats had scored 28-straight points to cut the Ducks lead to 48-45 late in the fourth quarter.