Cliff Kirkpatrick

BERKELEY, Calif. – Even on the the road I’m still waking up early, and I don’t have to. Those children have me trained.

Oh well, time to catch up on some reading and watch some football in preparation for the Oregon State game later today against No. 23 Cal.

First off, the above video is an OSU gem. It’s from back in 1999 when the Beavers ended 28 years of losing seasons with a victory over Cal. It’s fitting to bring up against 10 years later. Here’s the GT’s story on the last 10 years. It ran back in the bye week.

Here’s are some links for you to read about the Beavers today. My main Saturday story in the GT focuses on the DTs, Stephen Paea and Brennan Olander and how they are coming on.

Paea had three of the four QB sacks last week. Did you know that those were his first three of the season and he equals the total for all what the DEs have done this season?

Here’s a link to my five keys to the game for the Beavers. Here’s a look at the players to watch. This week it’s S Cameron Collins and Cal LB Mike Mohamed.

To read about the Jacquizz Rodgers vs. Jahvid Best matchup, click here. Best, however, has been nursing an ankle injury and a mild concussion. So expect to see more of Shane Vereen.

Here’s a link to the Cal scouting report, and to coach Mike Riley’s look at the Golden Bears. And for good measure, he’s a feature story on S Jordan Poyer and his quick, and surprising, impact.

Check back on the blog before, during and after the game for info, insight and to ask questions. And check me out on twitter.com/cliffgt.

My pick for the game? The Bears are favored, but I like OSU’s chances. The Beavers match up well and Best isn’t 100 percent. So I went OSU 27, Cal 21 in the GT’s Game Day edition.

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The Oregon State football team recovered from the home loss to Arizona with Saturday’s road win over Arizona State. I figured it would be the other way around.

Either way the Beavers (3-2, 1-1) are where they should be with this team, and head into another must-win game this week against Stanford.

At the beginning of the season this looked like a very winnable game. Now, the Cardinal (4-1, 3-0) proved to be a tough cookie.

“We have Stanford coming, and we know they are going to be very physical with a great running game and good quarterback,” coach Mike Riley said.

Here’s a link to my main story in Tuesday’s GT about the Beavers looking at Stanford. Here’s a link to the Stanford scouting report.

The above video is of Riley talking about Stanford. The bottom video is of DE Matt LaGrone talking about OSU’s defense. The bottom video is of the Rodgers brothers.

Turnover notes
OSU is 29-3 in the last 67 games when committing fewer turnovers than the opponent, 9-18 when committing more and 4-4 when it’s even.

The Beavers have lost four turnovers this season, tied for ninth in the nation. OSU, Cincinnati, Idaho, Colorado State and Nebraska are the only teams not to have lost a fumble.

Since 2001, the Beavers are 10th in the nation in force turnovers with 231. They trail USC (276), Virginia Tech (255), Oklahoma (253), Boston College (242), West Virginia (242), Southern Miss (236), Hawaii (234), Washington State (234) and Boise State (232).

The matchup
The Beavers are 12th in the nation in run defense 87.4 (ypg). Stanford is 12th in the nation in rushing offense (221.8 ypg).

Special date
The Beavers defeated Stanford 30-23 on Oct. 10, 1998 at Stanford Stadium. That was Riley’s first Pac-10 win. He has 34 now. OSU faces the Cardinal on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Tight games
The Beavers have won 14 of the last 17 games that have been decided by seven points or less.

Cardinal notes
Stanford’s 4-1 start is the best since the 2001 squad got off to a 5-1 start. That 2001 season is the last time the Cardinal went to a bowl game. … The 3-0 conference start is Stanford’s best since the 1999 team won its first five games. That is the last year the Cardinal went to the Rose Bowl. … Stanford’s current three-game winning streak is its longest since 2005.

Injury update
Riley said LB Keaton Kristick (stinger) should be good for the game. WR Casey Kjos (back) worked with the team Sunday, and my be ready for Saturday.

Flu shots
Since the Swine Flu is popular the Beavers had team flu shot night two nights back. However, Riley declined. He’s just like me that when he gets a shot he got sick.

Lineups
Riley said last week’s defensive look is settled after last weekend’s game. He called Cameron Collins and Lance Mitchell as the safeties, Brandon Hardin the starting CB and Brennan Olander the starting DT is the “status quo.”

Wardrobe malfunction
Kristick had issues with his clothing Tuesday before he sat down at the podium before the TV cameras, so OSU officials made him change his shirt. Kristick wanted to look nice, so he wore a collared shirt. Unfortunately, it was green.

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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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