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Oregon State rallies to beat rival Oregon

Dec 2, 2007 - 5:43 AM EUGENE, Oregon (Ticker) -- James Rodgers and Oregon State fired the decisive volley in the injury-plagued "Civil War" game.

Rodgers raced for a 25-yard touchdown in the second overtime Saturday, lifting Oregon State to a thrilling 38-31 triumph over 18th-ranked Oregon in the 111th edition of this heated rivalry between in-state Pac-10 Conference foes.

It was the sixth victory in the last seven games for the Beavers (8-4, 6-3 Pac-10), who played without star running back Yvenson Bernard and starting quarterback Sean Canfield.

But thanks to a career day from running back Matt Sieverson and a clutch kick by Alexis Serna, Oregon State won two in a row from the Ducks for the first time since 1973-1974.

"I'm just so proud of these guys; they never quit," Beavers coach Mike Riley said. "This game was just a microcosm of our season. The Ducks never gave up either. It was just a great football game and both teams never gave up."

Sieverson rushed for a career-high 142 yards, including a 38-yard score in the first quarter.

"I am extremely happy," said Sieverson, a senior from Bend, Oregon. "This game really makes my college career, and this is the game you want for your best game. It's really something special, I can't put it into words."

Serna had a potential game-winning 35-yard field goal attempt blocked with just over a minute remaining in regulation.

But the senior atoned for the gaffe, drilling a 41-yard field goal to forge a 31-31 tie and force a second overtime.

"We were absolutely confident in Serna, but we put him in a bad situation," Riley said. "That was the first time we've had a kick blocked like that in a long time."

The Beavers took a 38-31 lead on the following play as Rodgers sped along the right sideline for the go-ahead score.

"We wanted to run the reverse or the fly sweep," Riley said. "We knew it had to be a big play, but I didn't know it was going to be our first play."

Oregon State stuffed Jonathan Stewart on a 4th-and-1 to end the ensuing possession and clinch the victory.

"That play should have been measured, but the officials ran off before it could be," Oregon coach Mike Bellotti said. "Obviously they perceived it not to be far enough for a first down, but I would have liked them to measure it."

Lyle Moevao was efficient filling in for the injured Canfield, completing 20-of-37 passes for 245 yards and one interception.

Moevao also rushed for a game-tying one-yard TD in the fourth quarter for the Beavers, who snapped their six-game skid in Eugene and improved to 46-55-10 all-time against the Ducks.

"I've been thinking about this game since the beginning of the season," Moevao said. "I knew I had to prepare for all of the games that we had coming up this season, especially this one."

Stewart rushed for 163 yards on 39 carries for Oregon (8-4, 5-4), which ended a once-promising season in disappointing fashion.

The Ducks have lost three consecutive games, a skid which began November 15 with a 34-24 loss at Arizona. Ranked second at the time, Oregon lost quarterback Dennis Dixon, a Heisman Trophy candidate, to a season-ending knee injury against the Wildcats.

Justin Roper filled in admirably for Dixon, completing 13-of-25 passes for 144 yards, one interception and two TDs.

"It's kind of bittersweet," Roper said. "I'm glad I got to play and contribute, but a loss to Oregon State is the worst you can have."