Cliff Kirkpatrick

Tempe, Ariz. – The trip to Sun Devil Stadium went smoother than the UNLV rental car debacle.

The Oregon State football team arrived more than two hours before game time to get in its walkthrough. Here’s a pic of the team prayer.

Check out the images around the stadium and from atop the stadium form the press box.

This stadium is big – NFL style. I like the look. Check out the beautiful desert landscape.

As noted in my previous blog, expect Lance Mitchell and Cameron Collins to start as the safeties.

I’ve also heard Brandon Hardin may start at CB in place of Tim Clark to get a more physical presence on the edge. We’ll soon see.

And a final note, if you have caught up with your pregame reading, check it out here. My main Saturday story has all the links you’ll need.

So please check about throughout the game for updates. Feel free to comment or ask questions.

UPDATE: From the pregame warmups, there are going to be three defensive lineup changes. Brennan Olander for Latu Moala at DT, Hardin for Clark at CB and Collins for Tuimaunei at S.

First quarter
Defensive changes work on first drive. OSU takes advantage of 18-yard field after ASU punter just drops the ball. Quizz scored on a 1-yard dive – 7-0 at 10:15.

James Rodgers makes a 35-yard punt return to set up a two-play TD drive. Quizz finished it with a 32-yard run. OSU up 14-0, 8:38. Wait, I’ve seen this before here.

Devils put together a solid drive that went 62 yards on 10 plays, ending with a 35-yard FG. OSU 14, ASU 3, 4:09.

Second quarter
Beavers open the quarter with a bang with QB Sean Canfield hit James Rodgers with a 25-yard TD pass. 21-3 OSU, 14:53.

Devils put together a long drive again, but Ben Terry forces a fumble and Matt LaGrone recovers it.

A decent OSU drives ends with a 53-yard FG miss by Justin Kahut. Snap looked low and he didn’t get all of it as the ball was short.

Third quarter
Rough start for OSU’s defense, allowing a 77-yard TD drive to open the half. ASU’s took what was available and one blown coverage hurt. OSU 21-10, 10:10.

It’s another third-quarter breakdown. Canfield goes deep and was picked. It was a good play by the defender.

Beavers survive that listless quarter with minimal damage. They need to pick up the intensity if they want to finish this one off.

Fourth quarter
After a sluggish end of the third and beginning of the fourth, the Beavers seals the game with an 72-yard drive. Canfield make big throws to James Rodgers and Damola Adeniji. 28-10, 7:07 left.

There’s a lot of yellow streaming out of the stadium. I’m following.

I’m heading down to the field. Like I said, the stadium his huge and I have to leave it to interview players. The postgame blog will be up after I make the print deadline.

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Related posts:

1. ASU pregame/game thread
2. Cliff: UW pregame/game thread (updating)
3. Cliff: Stanford game/pregame thread
4. Cliff: Cincy pregame/game thread
5. Cliff: WSU pregame/game thread