CORVALLIS, Ore. -- There won't be any letdown Saturday, say
Oregon State players and coaches after the Beavers shocked
third-ranked USC last weekend.
The Beavers (5-3, 2-3 Pac-10) host Arizona State, and they know
that their 33-31 win won't mean much if they fumble the momentum
against the Sun Devils.
Plus, the Beavers still have plenty to play for, including a
bowl berth, which eluded them last year after they stumbled to a
1-4 finish.
Oregon State needs two more wins to be bowl eligible. The Sun
Devils (5-3, 2-3), who play 12 games this year, one less than
Oregon State, can reach bowl eligibility with a win over the
Beavers.
"We're playing a team that is not unlike ourselves in many
ways," said Oregon State coach Mike Riley. "They started out and
had some struggles a little bit early but have rebounded, won games
and kind of found an identity. I anticipate a very hungry team
coming in here."
The Beavers have two other big reasons to keep a sense of
urgency. The Sun Devils have historically had their number, going
2-23-1 in the series since 1971, and Oregon State feels it was
denied sufficient national respect for upsetting the Trojans.
"You could see from watching ESPN after the game we still
haven't won any respect," said Oregon State center Kyle DeVan.
"Mark May and Lou Holtz were saying we didn't beat USC, USC beat
themselves. I don't think I heard Oregon State's name once that
entire broadcast."
Riley said his staff is mindful of making sure the players don't
let the win go to their heads.
"We started talking about that on Sunday," Riley said.
"There's no doubt about it, you can't get beaten by your last
game. Whether it was a win or a loss, you can't get beaten by that
game."<
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^STRANGE REACTIONS:@ Oregon State players say they have felt the
love from Beaver Nation after their upset of USC last weekend --
maybe more than they wanted.
"One of my buddies called and told me he wanted to kiss me,"
said Beaver center Kyle DeVan.
Quarterback Matt Moore, who lives across the street from Reser
Stadium, was walking back home with his parents when he met an
overzealous fan.
"This guy came out of his apartment and started screaming,
'Matt, I love you.' My mom and dad were like, 'Whoa, this is
crazy."
Not that the Beaver don't appreciate all the support.
"It was unbelievable -- the fans were more excited than we
were," said defensive end Dorian Smith, one of the last players to
leave the field as the fans spilled out of the stands to join the
celebration.<
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^EXTRA POINTS:@ Oregon State's national championship baseball
team will receive its rings at halftime of Saturday's game against
Arizona State. On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., presented
Oregon State president Ed Ray, baseball coach Pat Casey and
shortstop Darwin Barney with a resolution he introduced in the
Senate congratulating the Beavers when they won back in June.
Tailback Yvenson Bernard (ankle), receiver Ruben Jackson (ankle)
and offensive guard Jeremy Perry (knee) are all listed as probable
for the game. Beaver QB Matt Moore came away from the USC game duly
impressed with the Trojans. "No joke, I think all 11 defensive
starters could play in the NFL right now," he said.