The Beavers did what they needed to do- and a bit more- on Saturday afternoon, beating the Washington State Cougars 66-16 in front of a sun-splashed crowd of 45,289 at Reser Stadium.
Oregon State made it look easy in the first quarter, when they moved the ball at ease. Lyle Moevao picked up two quick touchdowns through the air to two of his favorite targets: Sammie Stroughter and Shane Morales.
The touchdown from Moevao to Stroughter was Oregon State's second offensive play of the game- the first play was a reverse from Jacquizz Rodgers to James Rodgers that went for 24 yards.
Oregon State looked to take a four possession lead on their next drive, but OSU quarterback Lyle Moevao threw his first of four interceptions of the day to Washington State free safety Xavier Hicks in the back of the end zone.
However, the Oregon State defense would force Washington State's offense to punt after just three plays, and Jacquizz Rodgers scored from five yards out five plays later, giving the Beavers a 21-0 lead.
"To be able to score on every one of those [opening] drives, it was good" Jacquizz said after the game.
Perhaps the overconfidence set in for Oregon State at this point, as Lyle Moevao threw three more interceptions in the second quarter, leading to two Washington State touchdowns. Washington State weak side linebacker Louis Bland returned one of those interceptions 17 yards for a touchdown.
"The kids started believing and made a few plays. That's what I've been trying to get our players to do all year: to make some plays, whether it be on offense or defense" Washington State coach Paul Wulff said after the game.
The thirteen points that the Cougars scored in the second quarter guaranteed that their streak of 279 games without a shutout would continue.
Justin Kahut would add a 28 yard field goal just before halftime, but the Cougars had reason to be optimistic trailing by 11 at halftime.
However, the momentum the Cougars built up in the second quarter seemed to vanish as they crossed Ralph Miller Drive and regrouped in the bowels of legendary Gill Coliseum.
The Cougars would endure a grueling second half, in which they gave up 42 points- 21 in each quarter.
"We started playing in the second quarter which was good but we came out flat in the second half" WSU cornerback Romeo Pellum said after the game.
Five different Beavers accounted for the six touchdowns of the second half. Freshman wide receiver Damola Adeniji scored two of them- one after blocking a Reid Forrest punt and diving on the ball in the end zone.
Adeniji's other touchdown came on a 39 yard reception from junior quarterback Sean Canfield, making the score 66-13 after the extra point. That touchdown caused many complaints among Washington State fans, and gave the Beavers a 53 point lead.
Oregon State's eight offensive touchdowns were scored by eight different players. The top three running backs on Oregon State's depth chart- Jacquizz Rodgers, Ryan McCants, and Jeremy Francis- all scored, as well as Lyle Moevao and flanker James Rodgers. Sammie Stroughter, Shane Morales, and Damola Adeniji were all on the end of receiving touchdowns.
Oregon State, now 3-3 on the season and 2-1 in the Pac-10, will travel to Seattle next weekend to battle the sputtering Huskies, who've yet to win a game.