Thoughts On OSU-Stanford Game

Well what a game that was! I was close in my prediction last night when I thought the game would go into half tied up at 21-21 and then I was spot on with the 'Furd taking a big lead as they got up 36-20 midway into the fourth quarter. When OSU got that touchdown late in the 4th by Sammie Stroughter I almost fell out of my seat as I thought the Beavers were going to pull it out. With Darrell Catchings going for the end zone and then diving for the pilon and to see a Stanford defender knock the ball out and the ball roll out of bounds into the back of the end zone was simply horrific to watch. Brought back memories of Cam Colvin and his attempt at almost the exact same spot last year against Cal. Love to see the Beavs lose but man what a heart breaker for Beaver Nation.

As for my unprofessional analysis of the game, here are some thoughts I had as I walked away from my first game of college football in 2008:

• Lyle Moevao looked like an All Pac-10 QB at times and at other times looked totally lost and made me wonder if he should be out there. Low balls were a common theme for his passes and had he been able to get some touch on the ball the Beavers would have walked away from this game in blowout fashion.
• Stroughter looked amazing. He looks to be back to his old star status of 2006 when he was a Junior. 12 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns shows he truly is one of the nation's most dangerous offensive threats.
• Who is Shane Morales? Kid comes out of no where and catches 13 passes for 151 yards with the latter totaling more yards he had in his entire career going into this game. Oh and he added a touchdown for himself as well. Seemed to be very sure handed and at times looked like the primary target for Moevao. Might be a guy to keep your eye on down the road for the Beavers.
• Where were the Rodgers brothers? Beaver fans all off-season kept saying these two young men would complement each other nicely and allow each to run the ball effectively. Neither did a very good job and when they needed that special play neither could produce it. James Rodgers, the star in the Civil War last year with his fly sweeps seemed solid but I can't see him having better numbers than he did this game.
• Toby Gerhart showed the nation that the Beavs have work to do upfront for their defensive front seven. The Beaver D-Line allowed Gerhart to look like a Heisman Candidate as he ran for 147 yards and two scores on 19 carries. The Beav's defense looked solid in the first half but then they wore down in the 2nd and eventually couldn't keep up with the big boy Gerhart.