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Rodgers, Katz lead Oregon State to 31-28 victory

Oct 3, 2010 - 2:31 AM CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -- Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns and Ryan Katz threw for 260 yards and two scores Saturday to lead Oregon State to a 31-28 win over Arizona State in its conference opener.

Rodgers, a junior, cracked the 100-yard mark for the 16th time in his career at Oregon State (2-2, 1-0 Pac-10).

Katz, making his fourth career start, had struggled with a 48.6 completion percentage. But he had his best game of the season, completing 19 of 29 passes and hooking up with nine different receivers.

The Sun Devils (2-3, 0-2), losers of three straight, were led by Deantre Lewis who ran for 104 yards - his third straight game over the century mark. Steven Threet, the top passer in the Pac-10 with 325.8 yards per game, was just 14 of 29 for 203 yards. He was sacked six times and threw three interceptions.

The game appeared to be over when Threet threw an interception with the Sun Devils down 31-20 in the fourth quarter. But Mike Callaghan gave them life by blocking a punt. Cameron Marshall ran for a 21-yard touchdown with 2:51 left in the game and the Sun Devils got the two-point conversion.

After forcing the Beavers to punt, Arizona State had a final chance but Threet was intercepted by James Dockery to end the game.

Oregon State was without Rodgers' older brother, James, who suffered a concussion in Oregon State's 37-24 loss to Boise State. The void left by the team's leading receiver and kick returner was filled by receivers Jordan Bishop, who had four catches for 86 yards; Markus Wheaton, who caught four passes for 48 yards; and Aaron Nichols, who had three catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Both teams entered the game looking for a much-needed win. The Sun Devils rolled up 597 yards on No. 4 Oregon last week but committed seven turnovers in the loss. The Beavers, who have played the toughest schedule in the country according to the Sagarin ratings, were coming off losses to then-No. 6 TCU, No. 3 Boise State and a too-close-for-comfort home win over Louisville. The Beavers ranked 113th in the country in total offense after their first three games.

Arizona State scored first, on Threet's 39-yard touchdown pass to Gerell Robinson on the first drive. The Beavers, however, scored 17 unanswered points, including a 4-yard touchdown run by Rodgers and a spectacular 27-yard touchdown catch by Nichols. Oregon State led 24-14 at halftime.

Thomas Weber kicked two field goals for the Sun Devils to cut the lead to 24-20, but Rodgers ran for a 74-yard touchdown for the Beavers.