USC Ends Rivalry Capitalizing On OSU Miscues
The 80th and very possibly last meeting between USC and Oregon State looked late like it might end the way the Trojan's first visit to Corvallis did, with the Beavers pulling out a narrow victory after a defensive rock fight.
But then, the Trojans made the play that won the game, when Caleb Williams connected with Jordan Addison for the 21 yard touchdown pass with 1:13 left that earned USC the 17-14 win. The Beavers had done a tremendous job defensively all night, as that was just the 3rd catch of the game for Addison, the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner, and just the 16th completion of the game thrown by Williams, after 20 misfires. But when the game was on the line, USV's 2 most high profile transfer All-American candidates made the play that was necessary.
The stars of the game as it turns out, were Alex Grinch and Trent Bray, the Trpjans and Beavers defensive coordinators.
Essentially everyone expected a close game, probably decided by a score in the final minutes, if not seconds, of the game. But most probably expected something more like a 48-45 game, given that the Trojans came in averaging over 50 points a game, and the Beavers well into the 40s.
Instead, Grinch and Bray said "Not so fast", and the 28K and change fans that packed under renovation Reser for the final appearance of the Trojans before USC departs for the B1G 16 10ths got a 0-0 first quarter, and 7-3 at halftime, and into the 4th quarter.
It looked like possibly Oregon State had made the gaeme deciding play, when redshirt sophomore transfer Jam Griffin capped his breakout 84 yards on 12 carries, both team leading, night with his 18 yard touchdown run with 4:41 left that pur the Beavers up 14-10.
But then the Trojans proceeded to march 84 yards in 11 plays, and cap the drive with Williams and Addison breaking the Beavers' hears.
The differences in the game came down to the 4 interceptions of Oregon State QB Chance Nolan that the USC defense snagged. That elevated the Trojans' takeaway count to 14 for the season, this while USC still has not yet turned the ball over this season (though there was a near miss near the OSU goal line that could also have been a game changer. The differential of 4 turnover, an amount essentially impossible to overcome in any football game at any level, led to 10 Trojan points, and cost the Beavers at least one scoring chance.
Well, those and Everett Hayes' missed 46 yard field goal that was well long enough, but sliced wide right from the time it left Hayes toe about 6 1/2 minutes into the the 4th quarter, which would have tied the game at 10 apiece.
And maybe Oregon State's inability to control Travis Dye, the Trojan's transfer from Oregon RB, who had a game high 133 yards on a game high 19 carries, and the early 4th quarter 7 yard touchdown run, which had put USC up 10-7, and ahead for the first time in the game.
And if Ron Cooper gets to Addison a step sooner, none of that might have mattered.
It was not close to Nolan's best night, but it wasn't all Nolan's fault either. Only 6 passes hit the ground. One of the picks was tipped, and another came on a play that sailed when Nolan was getting blown up as he threw, which spoke to deficiencies in the Oregon State offensive line, another good Beaver O-line, but one that is thin, and had an element of inexperience in it due to injury, and is also undersized at some positions.
Another crucial, effectively game ending, interception came on an ill-advised deep ball, a play after essentially the same play had drawn a pass intererrence penalty in the USC secondary. It was obvious the most opportunistic secondary in the conference would make an adjustment. It also happened when Oregon State's priority was to get in position to tie the game, not go for a spectacular but less likely to succeed knockout punch. As a result of OC Brian Lindgren's call, the Beavers made a play to lose the game before it had a chance to try to not lose it.
However, Nolan needs to better recognize that some times an incompletion is not only ok, its the best available play. Against lesser teams, that decision point doesn't always manifest itself. Against the best opponents, it almost always matters.
The loss dropped the Beavers to 3-1 for the season, and 0-1 in conference, while the 7th ranked Trojans improved to 4-0, and 2-0 in the Pac-12, and sole possession of first place in the conference race. The win was USC's 64th over OSU. Oregon State travels to Salt Lake City next, for a high noon showdown with Utah. The Utes improved to 3-1, and 1-0 in the Pac-12, after picking up a 34-13 win over Arizona State in Tempe tonight.
The first loss of the season, adnd the first home loss since the 2020 season, was heartbreaking in ways for the Beavers, who nevertheless are off to a better start to the season than might have been. Given the tough first 4 opponents, a 2-2 start was also a very possible beginning to the season.
But as with each of the 3 winning efforts, there is a lot to celebrate and build on in the Beavers' performance, but also a number of things to correct, improve, or learn from. And it was Oregon State's 10th loss in 12 games against top 10 opponents since the beginning of the Pac-12 era.
In the end, it wasn't OSU'S best effort, but it was worthy enough to cue the fight song one last time.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com
(Photos by Andy Wooldridge)