Oregon State Looks to Rebound vs Idaho State

The Beavers have won 23 consecutive non-conference games at home.

Derrick Doggett is the leader of one of the best defenses in the nation. Photo courtesy: OSU Athletics

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State looks to rebound from having its five-game overall winning streak snapped last Thursday at Cincinnati while Idaho State makes its first road trip of the season and plays it’s only game against a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent.

The game will air live beginning at 3:30 p.m. on FSN Northwest. You can hear the game live in the Salem-area on 1490 KBZY AM.

The Bengals only other Pac-10 foe in the program’s history was a 1988 loss (52-7) at Oregon.

The Bengals do have a recent victory over a FBS team -- downing Utah State in 2000 and did have a 12-point fourth quarter lead at Kentucky in 2005.

MILITARY DAY

U.S. Military personnel, including veterans, can purchase a reserved seat ticket for this Saturday’s game for $15 (limit four). Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-Go-Beavs.

NON-CONFERENCE HOME WIN STREAK

The Beavers have won 23 consecutive non-conference games at home and head coach Mike Riley is a perfect 13-0 at Reser Stadium against non-Pac-10 opponents.

The streak includes wins over Utah, Boise State (twice), Eastern Washington (twice), Idaho, Portland State, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Sacramento State, Fresno State (twice), Baylor, Nevada, UNLV, Eastern Kentucky, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, Georgia Southern, San Jose State, Northern Illinois, Utah State and North Texas.

FIRST, THE GOOD NEWS

Oregon State enters Saturday’s game 12th in the nation and second in the Pac-10 (Arizona State 4th @ 159.5) for total defense allowing 212.5 yards per game.

The team ranks third for rush defense allowing just 24 yards per game, trailing only Penn State (-1.5) and Iowa (22.5).

The Beavers’ 4.0 sacks per game is tied for eighth overall and only three clubs (Oklahoma, Michigan State and Georgia Tech) have registered more yards for tackles-for-loss than OSU’s 110.

Over the last 16 games OSU’s defense has accounted for 638 lost yards while its opponents have 337.

TURNOVER STORY

Over the last 39 games, Oregon State is 17-2 when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent, 3-12 when committing more turnovers and 3-2 when even.

In its victories last season, Oregon State was plus-14 for turnover margin; in its losses minus-6.

Opponents’ turnovers led to 13 OSU touchdowns and five field goals -- 106 points.

COSTLY TURNOVERS

The Beavers have struggled in the turnover category which has led to some short fields for their first two opponents to score.

OSU is a negative-7 for turnovers this season; only North Carolina State at negative-8 is worse.

OSU’s turnovers have led directly to 31 of its opponents’ 41 total points.

Cincinnati also scored a touchdown after blocking a punt deep in Beaver territory -- not considered a turnover.

The opponents’ average starting point for a drive following an OSU turnover is the Beaver 28-yard line.

The team posted a 5-6 record in 2005 when it was 113th for turnover margin and 10-4 last season when it was 24th.

After all of this, the Beavers remain a respectable 47th in the nation for scoring defense at 20.5.

THAT’S RARE

Oregon State’s three points at Cincinnati was its lowest since being shutout at USC Sept. 28, 2002.

The Beaver offense hasn’t been held to back-to-back single digit games since Mike Riley’s first year in 1997 -- at Arizona (7) and vs. USC (0).

During Riley’s second tenure, starting in 2003, OSU has failed to reach double digits only four times in 52 games.

TOUGH TO CATCH

Oregon State is 34-5 when it leads after three quarters with Mike Riley as the head coach. Over the last three seasons, the Beavers are 21-1 (only loss was to LSU).

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