Over the weekend, the Beavers and Ducks played the 111th Civil War game. Like is the usual trend, the Beavers defeated the Ducks in a close game (38-31).
This game took two overtimes to finish.
At the official end of the game, the Beavers and Ducks had tied it up. By the end of the first overtime, they had each scored another goal.
Towards the end of the last overtime, however, wide receiver James Rodgers (a freshman on the team) rushed 25 yards for the winning touchdown. This gave him a total of 45 yards rushing in 5 attempts. With the exception of the Cincinnati game, in which he did not play, and the UCLA game, in which he failed to gain yards, he is a consistent and promising player. Consistently he rushed the ball 30+ yards a game. In the game against Stanford, he gained 60 yards in 3 attempts. His greatest contribution was in the Washington game, where in 8 attempts he gained 85 yards. If his playing continues to be consistent, he is going to be a great NFL candidate out of college.
Justin Roper, a red-shirt freshman and the fill-in-QB, pretty much summed up the feeling of the whole town of Eugene after a loss to the Beavers:
"It's kind of bittersweet. I'm glad I got to play and contribute, but a loss to Oregon State is the worst you can have."
With Dixon out of the game, most Duck fans had hopes of a good game, but knew in reality that they would probably get beat good. Roper, after all, is no Dennis Dixon, and has only played in 3 games thus far. Dixon, in the fashion of Joey Harrington before him, has become an amazing QB. I think the saddest thing is that he got hurt towards the end of his senior season. Nonetheless, he's sure to get some good NFL offers.
Another sub proved to be helpful - for the Beavers. Senior running back Matt Sieverson, in for an injured senior running back Yvenson Bernard, gained 142 yards in 27 carries - obviously an integral part of the win.
So, what does this mean bowl-wise for the two rivalry Pac-10 teams?
This means OSU (8-4) will take on Maryland (6-6) in the Emerald Bowl on Friday, December 28th. Kickoff at 5:30pst.
And for beloved Oregon? They're bowl-ing too. The 8-4 team will take on South Florida (9-3) in the Sun Bowl, set for December 31st at noon.
In other fun news, this is the first time in nearly 50 years that the platypus trophy will be awarded to the Beavers (for the win, of course).
Tune in and watch my home-state teams battle for their respective Bowl-titles! :)
