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Oregon State escapes on late field goal to beat Arizona

Nov 23, 2008 - 7:12 AM TUCSON, Arizona (Ticker) -- Justin Kahut nearly cost Oregon State its chance at the school's first trip to Pasadena in over 40 years.

But the sophomore kicker capitalized on his chance at redemption, booting the game-winning 24-yard field goal as 21st-ranked Oregon State kept its Rose Bowl hopes alive with a 19-17 victory over Arizona on Saturday.

With a win next week in the "Civil War" against in-state rival Oregon, the Beavers would clinch their first berth in the Rose Bowl since 1965.

However, after Kahut's extra point sailed wide left with 3:58 remaining, it appeared Oregon State's drought would continue. Sean Canfield connected with Sammie Stroughter on a 7-yard touchdown to pull the Beavers within 17-16, but Kahut missed the tying kick.

Kahut, who had been 30-of-31 on extra points, was thankful for a second chance.

"I didn't feel like that was supposed to be the way that our season was going to go down," Kahut, who drilled a 24-yard field goal as time expired.

"I didn't want it to be where I lost the game for the team. They worked so hard, and we deserved that win, and I'm just so grateful for that second opportunity."

Kahut was bailed out by his teammates.

Oregon State (8-3, 7-1 Pac-10) stood firm on the ensuing defensive possession, and Canfield and the Beavers began the game-winning drive on their own 20-yard line with 87 seconds left and no timeouts remaining.

"We run two-minute (drill) every day in practice," said Canfield, who completed 20-of-31 passes for 224 yards. "It's just another routine thing for us."

The junior quarterback, who got the start in place of the injured Lyle Moevao, led the Beavers on a march to set up Kahut's dramatic boot.

Canfield completed back-to-back passes to move the ball to the Oregon State 46, and then hooked up with Stroughter again, this time on a 47-yard pass to the Arizona 7.

The Beavers ran a pair of plays to run the clock out, and Canfield spiked the ball with four ticks left.

"The comeback was big," Canfield said. "We knew what we had to do and everyone chipped in and we never backed down."

Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said it was a typical ending.

"I think that's how our season has been going," Riley said. "The main thing is that we would not be denied."

The Beavers played most of the game without freshman running back Jacquizz Rodgers, who left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury.

His older brother, sophomore James Rodgers, ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries while Ryan McCants added 53 yards on 14 carries.

The game went into halftime tied, 3-3, after a rather uneventful first 30 minutes. But the fireworks began when James Rodgers scored from 7 yards out to put the Beavers ahead, 10-3.

Arizona answered back with 16 seconds left in the third when Willie Tuitama connected on a 16-yard score to Rob Gronkowski.

Tuitama completed 16-of-22 passes for 158 yards and led the Wildcats on a scoring drive after a big stand by Arizona's defense.

Canfield got a first down on 4th-and-1 from the Oregon State 40, but McCants was stopped on another fourth-down run at midfield.

Keola Antolin's 9-yard touchdown run capped off the go-ahead drive with 8:26 left in the fourth quarter, giving Arizona a 17-10 lead.

One they ultimately couldn't protect. Still, Arizona head coach Mike Stoops chose to look at the positive: the Wildcats are headed to a bowl game for the first time since 1998.

"That's a tough loss to take, but I can't help but be encouraged by this football team," Stoops said.