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Oregon State still hoping to win Pac-10

Nov 15, 2008 - 11:27 AM California (6-3) at (25) Oregon State (6-3), 3:30 pm EST

CORVALLIS, Oregon (Ticker) -- Even with three losses, Oregon State remains in control of its own destiny in the Pac-10 Conference race.

Ranked for the first time this season and riding a four-game winning streak, the 25th-ranked Beavers host California on Saturday.

If Oregon State (6-3, 5-1 Pac-10) wins its final three games, the Beavers will represent the Pac-10 in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1964.

Theoretically, Southern California could play in the national championship game without winning the Pac-10. That's because the Beavers have a tiebreaker edge on the Trojans based on their 27-21 win over USC on September 25.

Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 144 yards in last week's 34-6 win over UCLA to set a Pac-10 freshman rushing record with 1,089 yards.

Starting in place of injured Lyle Moevao, Sean Canfield completed 16-of-22 passes for 222 yards for the Beavers.

Moevao suffered a strained muscle in the second quarter of Oregon State's 27-25 victory over Arizona State on November 1. However, Canfield came off the bench to pass for 218 yards and two touchdowns, earning him the start against UCLA.

Oregon State plays at Arizona next week, then hosts Oregon in the annual Civil War game on November 29.

California's Pac-10 hopes likely ended with last week's 17-3 loss to the USC. However, the Bears (6-3, 4-2) turned in a stout defensive effort and were in the game until the Trojans scored an insurance touchdown in the final three minutes.

California's quarterback situation is unsettled. Nate Longshore made his third start of the season against the Trojans, but was benched at halftime after completing 11-of-15 passes for 79 yards.

Kevin Riley took over the second half and was even worse - connected on just 4-of-16 passes for 59 yards with an interception. He also was sacked three times.

California does feature an opportunistic defense that has forced 17 interceptions - tied with Iowa for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision behind North Carolina and Boston College, which each has 18.

The Bears will be looking to avenge a 31-28 loss to Oregon State last season when they were ranked second in the coaches' poll.

California nearly rallied from a 31-21 deficit in the final 2 1/2 minutes, but the time expired after Riley, making his first career start, ran a play from Oregon State's 12-yard line rather than spiking the ball to stop the clock.