Going into this game, I thought any USC and Oregon State shoot-out talk was a misnomer. Other similar shoot-outs to USC against Oregon State: Stanford against Hawaii, the Texans against the Broncos and Sabastian Telfair against Fabolous.
Truth be told, I knew the Beavers had a chance of winning the game. The stars were aligning perfectly for the team to upset the mighty Trojans. I just didn’t think it would be in the hands of the OSU defense to hold off USC in the final play.
Props to the defense on that two-point conversion – all you needed to do was make one play, and you did it. Seems like this team has come along way from the beginning of the season, and right now the Beavers are at a whole new level.
The team played its ass off for this, and the coaches planned meticulously for it. This upset was the combination of sweat, blood, pride and mental focus. If Yogi Berra were here, I’m sure he would be telling these players that there are five games left and to “play half of them with twice the intensity that they played all of the last game.”
Translation: Keep grinding – the season isn’t over.
I still can’t believe the Beavers put an end to a regular-season wining streak that lasted two-plus seasons. I find it ironic that the one week that I don’t harp on someone, somewhere, about something, the Beavers upset a national powerhouse. I don’t want to take any credit, but I feel that I deserve a little.
It’s been six years since the Beavers last defeated USC. Last time they did, Chad Johnson roamed the sidelines. Now Johnson’s wide receiver hair-twin Anthony Wheat-Brown is catching balls, and again the Beavers pick up the W. Shout out to Wheat-Brown: even though you said it was a team effort, I give credit to your dome and its glorious haircut. For the rest of the month I will refer to you as Uno-Siete.
I was always told patience is a virtue. And I always countered with, “except in sports,” which is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business. Usually in athletics, patience is a scare commodity. Even Mike Riley, who often gets a longer leash because he’s a Corvallis native, had been feeling the heat lately, what with all the encouraging signs fans had been bringing.
The team’s season seemed to stumble out of the gate at Boise State, get a face full of dust vs. California and suffer from an asthma attack against Washington State.
After watching the USC game, people’s patience is now a little more virtuous. If that game was a look at what’s to come, fans will be more willing to sit back and entertain the thought that this team is bowl-bound. And even if this is the top of the mountain, the view is glorious.
The Beavers have been climbing all season, not giving up in the face of adversity. Players would say that they just have to keep doing what they do and eventually it will pay off. All you hear from the players now is “10 and 3.” The way the Beavers played last week, who could argue with them?
Respect is earned, not given, and this last weekend the Beavers earned a lot of respect from fans and critics alike, including myself. This is not the same team that lost to Boise State, California and Washington State. Now the question is, which team will come to play? Will fans get the over-confident team that played against Boise State or the focused, well-oiled machine that brought down the Trojan dynasty?
If the last few games are any indication, OSU might be in for a few more wins this season. I have noticed a great progression with this team in the last few weeks. They’ve come from a team that gave up big plays to a team that has found a way to make big plays. The defense has played with heart and intensity. The offense has played with tact and poise. And the special teams unit has exploited opposing teams’ kick coverage.
The team that took the field on Saturday had a swagger and a confidence that most people haven’t seen since Riley returned to Reser Stadium. I had a chance to chat with Brandon Hughes after the win, and he thinks this team is still climbing. He says the progression isn’t over.
I don’t know about you, but I believe him.
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