Oregon State Beavers football From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



For current information on this topic, see 2008 Oregon State Beavers football team Oregon State Beavers football First season 1893 Staff Athletic director Bob De Carolis Head coach Mike Riley 6th year, 47–38–0 Stadium Home stadium Reser Stadium Stadium capacity 46,200 Stadium surface FieldTurf Location Corvallis, Oregon League/Conference Conference Pac-10 Team records All-time record 478–522–50 Postseason bowl record 9–4–0 Awards Conference titles 5 Heisman winners 1 All-Americans 42 Pageantry Colors Orange and Black Fight song Hail to Old OSU Mascot Benny Beaver Marching band Oregon State University Marching Band Rivals Oregon Ducks Washington Huskies Washington State Cougars Website OSUBeavers.com The Oregon State Beavers football team represents Oregon State University (based in Corvallis, Oregon) in NCAA Division I-A college football. The team first fielded an organized football team in 1893 and is currently a member of the Pacific Ten Conference. The head coach is Mike Riley, with Danny Langsdorf as the offensive coordinator and Mark Banker as the defensive coordinator. Their home games are played at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. Contents [hide] 1 History 1.1 1893-1905: The early years 1.2 1906-1908: 4 points in 18 games 1.3 1909-1915: A soccer field in Albany, the Great War, and a long train ride 1.4 1916-1923: Somewhere under a rainbow 1.5 1924-1932: A Traveling Show 1.6 1933: Ironmen 1.7 1934-1948: Lon Stiner Era 1.8 1949-1954: Kip Taylor Years 1.9 1955-1964: The Tommy Prothro Decade 1.10 1965-1966: Sands of Iwo Jima 2 Rivalries 2.1 University of Oregon 2.2 Washington and Washington State 3 Season Records 4 Bowl history 4.1 Bowl game appearances and results 5 Notable players 5.1 All-Americans 5.2 Beavers in the NFL 5.3 Notable Former Players 6 Media 7 References 8 See also [edit] History [edit] 1893-1905: The early years Oregon State's first season of football was in 1893. At that time, Oregon State was known as State Agricultural College, or SAC. William H. Bloss, son of SAC's school president, was the schools first coach, as well as the quarterback of the 1893 team. Bloss moved to Corvallis in June 1892. He had previously played football in the Midwest, therefore was considered very knowledgeable of the game of football.[1] Bloss scheduled tryouts in the fall of 1893 in an attempt to assemble a football team. By mid-October, he had found 17 players that would make up the first football team in Oregon State's history. The team was a hodge podge of young men in Corvallis. Four players were not even students, including Coach Bloss. One was a high school junior and another was a faculty member.[1] The original "stadium" that SAC played it's first games on was an open grass lot with a fence around its perimeter. The field ran east and west. In 1896 or 1897, bleachers were constructed for the south side, which was designated the home team's side, and then sometime around 1899-1901, bleachers

were built for the visitors on the north side of the field. It was known as College Field on Lower Campus.[2] The first game was played on November 11, 1893 at 2:00pm at College Field on Lower Campus against Albany College. Over 500 spectators who paid a dime admission cheered on SAC to 62-0 win, a blowout by today's standards but even worse considering touchdowns were only worth four points at the time. Brady F. Burnett scored Oregon State's first touchdown in school history on a fumble return.[1] [edit] 1906-1908: 4 points in 18 games In 1906, Oregon Agricultural College found themselves without a coach. It wasn't until summer began to wane that Oregon Agricultural was forced to settle on their third choice, a man with absolutely no coaching experience, Fred Stevenson "F.S." Norcross.[3] Norcross played quarterback for Fielding Yost's "Point a Minute" Michigan Wolverines from 1903-1905.[4] The Wolverines went 33-1-1 during that time. Although an offensive player at Michigan, his greatest contribution west of the Rockies was the introduction of the concept of the linebacker. In 1906, the game was changing. In an attempt to cut down on the alarming number of deaths and serious injuries, the forward pass was legalized. In addition, the game was shortened from 70 minutes to 60 and the yards to gain for a first down increased from five yards to 10 yards. Seven men were required to be on the line. However, not everything was changing; touchdowns were still worth five points and field goals were worth four. Six games into the 1906 season, Oregon Agricultural found themselves 4-0-2, outscoring their six opponents 77-0. Only Willamette University stood in the way between them and an undefeated season. Willamette had other ideas, kicking a 23-yard field goal midway through the first half. The four points proved to be the only points either team would score. Despite the result, Oregon Agricultural students marched throughout the streets of Salem chanting Oregon Agricultural fight songs.[5][6] Oregon Agricultural started off the 1907 season winning their first four games, when a familiar friend, Willamette, made a return call to Corvallis. Oregon Agricultural proceeded to pay back their friends from the north by outscoring them 42-0. The win set up arguably the most anticipated game west of the Rockies, the Coast Championship. Undefeated Oregon Agricultural traveled south to the sunshine of California to battle a regional power, undefeated St. Vincent's College, on Thanksgiving Day. The game marked the first time Oregon Agricultural had travelled south of Berkeley. Although Oregon Agricultural had outscored their opponents 127-0 in five games, most of the southern California media walked away surprised by the result, another Oregon Agricultural shut out. The 10-0 win cemented Oregon Agricultural's "pristine" season and the unofficial championship of the Western United States. They were undefeated, untied, and unscored upon. This "pristine" season has never, and most likely will never be repeated.[5][3] When the team returned home to Corvallis, 3000 turned out to greet them, around the combined population of the town and the school. In a much more joyous celebration than the season-ender the year before, the band led the team and the 3000 from downtown to the college for the celebration of the young century. The 1908 season started off much the same as the previous two years. Oregon Agricultural started off 4-0-1, outscoring their opponents 73-0, including a 28-0 rout of Willamette. In the first 18 games under F.S. Norcross, Oregon Agricultural outscored their opponents 287-4, while compiling a 14-1-3

record. It was not to last; their secret was out. Oregon Agricultural dropped their final three games in 1908, including losses to Oregon and Washington. After the season, Oregon Agricultural and Norcross went their separate ways. Norcross would never coach again, leaving his career college football coaching record at 14-4-3, a .738 winning percentage. [edit] 1909-1915: A soccer field in Albany, the Great War, and a long train ride In 1910, Oregon defeated the Beavers, as Oregon Agricultural was increasingly called, 12-0 in their first meeting at College Field. It was the third consecutive shutout victory for Oregon in the Civil War. The game served as a prelude to a riot. The fist-fighting was so bad that the 1911 Civil War was cancelled. Since there was still a lot of bad blood between the schools, an Albany cigar-maker, Billy Eagles, proposed Albany as a neutral site to host the 1912 game, a 3-0 Oregon victory. It also served as a host for the 1913 Civil War. It would only be used one more time by the Beavers, to host the vaunted Sun Dodgers from the University of Washington in 1914. The bright star that was Oregon Agricultural was swiftly setting. The 1912 Civil War loss to Oregon cemented a losing season for the Beavers, snapping a streak of eight consecutive winning seasons. The 1904-1911 winning season streak remains the longest winning season streak in Oregon State history. As Oregon Agricultural faded, Washington swiftly filled in the void. Their win over Oregon Agricultural in 1908 was their second consecutive victory. From that game on, every Sun Dodger game ended the same, another Washington victory. By the time they arrived in Albany, they had won 39-consecutive games, outscoring their opponents 1331-73. That averages out to be about a 34-2 victory for the Sun Dodgers each time they took the field. Judging from the past six meetings, there was little indication that the Beavers would stand in the way of victory number 40. From 1908-1911, the Beavers were outscored 109-0 in four meetings with Washington. The Beavers managed a single field goal in a 9-3 loss in Portland in 1912. In 1913, the Sun Dodgers paid the Beavers back in Seattle, beating them 47-0. It would remain the largest margin of victory by Washington over the Beavers until 1991. The Beavers, however, entered Albany undefeated as well. In the previous two weekends, they had destroyed Willamaette 64-0 and toppled Washington State 7-0 on the Palouse. On paper, they out-sized the favorites from Seattle. Some of the older players also had the memory of 47-0 the year before to use as motivation. Early in the game, the Beavers caught a break when Mike Hunt, Washington's left end, was ejected for running into the punter. However, Washington was the one threatening early in the first half. Star halfback, "Hap" Miller found himself near the end zone and dove, only to wind up six inches from the goal line. Washington would get no closer. Playing with a ferocity belying a huge underdog seeking revenge, the Beavers proceeded to shut out the vaunted Sun Dodgers offense. By the game's end "Hap" Miller had been knocked cold twice, and the Beavers had pulled off an unbelievable feat, tying Washington and snapping their 39-game winning streak. The streak would stand as the nation's longest for another 42 years. After the game, the Beavers never returned to Albany. The bleachers around the field were eventually torn down. Today, the site of one of the most monumental upsets in college football is used to play soccer. The game helped fuel Oregon Agricultural to an undefeated 6-0-2 record. At the end of the season, the Beavers found themselves matched up against the Trojans from Southern California on Thanksgiving Day in Tacoma, Washington. In the Summer of 1914, Europe had exploded in war. Tiny Belgium was invaded by Germany in a German effort to take Paris. As an indirect result, the game had been pushed back and moved in an effort to support a Belgian relief fund sponsered by the Tacoma Commercial Club. The Beavers proceeded to demolish the Trojans en route to a 38-6 victory. It remains the largest margin of victory ever by the Beavers against the

Trojans. It also capped off the Beavers last undefeated season. The 1915 season started off brightly. After three games, the Beavers were 3-0. Their fourth game was a 29-0 loss was to undefeated and untied Washington State. The loss snapped Oregon State's 15 game unbeaten streak, which continues to be the longest streak in Beaver history. Washington State would later go on to finish 7-0 and win the 1916 Rose Bowl against Brown, laying a claim to the national championship. What looked like an even more daunting challenge awaited. Game five was most of the way across the country in East Lansing, Michigan. Their opponent was the Michigan Aggies, who had pummeled Michigan Wolverines 24-0 in Ann Arbor the week before. Coupled with a train ride spanning two-thirds of the country without the ability to practice, the odds seemed slim at best. Roscoe Fawcett of Portland's Morning Oregonian set the odds at around zero, when he wrote, "One thing is very certain, and that is the Corvallis boys are due for a trimming...and a bad one!" The 20-0 Beaver victory sent shockwaves across the country. Legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice was moved to write a poem called "The Pacific Slump." A portion went: "Ah yes, it’s sad to think about the Old Pacific Slump, The way the West has hit the chute and hit it with a bump; But when you speak of things like this in a manner somewhat free, don’t mention it at Michigan or up at MAC; They haven’t any stuff at all to call for autumn boasts, except a team that smeared a team that smashed a team of Yost’s." The Beavers returned home and thrashed Idaho 40-0 to run their record to 5-1 but dropped their last two games to finish the 1915 season 5-3. [edit] 1916-1923: Somewhere under a rainbow The Beavers' 1916 win in Southern California against the Trojans would be their last victory over the Men of Troy until 1935. Herman Abraham garnered All-American honors in 1916 thanks in part to his play in the game in East Lansing in 1915. The Great War and its call for troops swiftly reduced the Beavers to mediocrity. Only the 1917 and 1921 teams posted winning records. Coaches Joseph Pipall and H. G. Hargiss each only lasted two years. College Field was renamed Bell Field in 1921. Coach R. B. Rutherford defeated Washington for the first time in 15 years in 1920 and posted a winning record in 1921. However, a losing record in 1922 put his position in jeopardy. Throwing caution to the wind, he took the 4-3-2 Beavers to Hawaii in 1923 for Oregon Agricultural's first games outside of the contiguous United States. The gamble did not pay off as the Beavers dropped a game to the Hawaiian All-Stars, playing their first college team, 14-9, and then another to the University of Hawaii, 7-0. The loss to Hawaii was a huge upset, as Hawaii had only begun playing intercollegiate football in 1920. A rainbow appeared over the field after the game, which led to Hawaii's team being nicknamed the Rainbows. The losses were devastating for a small agricultural school in Oregon, which had to pay to travel to Hawaii and suffered two humiliating defeats and, consequently, a second consecutive losing season, tying their longest losing-season streak to date. Coach R. B. Rutherford resigned as head coach shortly thereafter. [edit] 1924-1932: A Traveling Show In 1924, the Beavers found themselves without a coach. They received 55 applications for the vacant position, and each was rejected. Instead, the Beavers went out and found Paul Schissler. Schissler had been the coach at tiny Lombard College in Illinois for three years. During that time, he had lost a single game, a 14-0 loss to Notre Dame. The Beavers received three letters of recommendation: one from Major L. Griffith, commissioner of the Big Ten; one from Walter Eckersall, sports editor for the Chicago Tribune; and one from Knute Rockne, coach of Notre Dame. He was hired. The Beaver fans were excited by the new hire. In anticipation, the alumni raised $21,000 to increase seating at Bell Field from 7,000 to 18,000. The first thing Schissler did

was eliminate the Alumni game. This freed up an extra weekend to schedule non-traditional opponents. The 1924 season started well. The Beavers beat Whitman 41-0 and Multnomah A.C. 7-6. However, it quickly soured, as they proceeded to lose five of their last six games to finish with a losing record for a third consecutive season. Over the next two seasons, the Beavers went 14-3. Their only losses in 1925 were in California, at Stanford, defending Pacific Coast champions, and at USC in the Beavers first game in the Coliseum. In 1926, the Beavers started fast, outscoring their opponents 166-13. In the fourth game, Oregon Agricultural defeated California in Berkeley, 27-7. The game was noteworthy because it was the Beavers first victory over California ever. In the following game, a pesky Idaho team held the Beavers scoreless until an interception return by quarterback Howard Maple set up a field goal, which proved to be the only points scored by either team. On Veteran's Day, the Trojans Beat Oregon Agricultural 17-7 in Portland. Those would prove to be the last points scored against the Beavers. The Beavers beat Oregon 16-0 in Corvallis. Then, they travelled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to take on the Marquette Golden Avalanche on the following Friday. Marquette had defeated the Kansas Aggies 14-0 and Auburn 19-3 in Birmingham, Alabama, in consecutive weekends leading up to the game against the Beavers. The Golden Avalanche were heralded as one of the top teams in the Midwest. The Beavers left Milwaukee 29-0 winners. The 1926 Beavers outscored their opponents 221-30. Their defense finished first in scoring and tenth overall. The 7-1 record would serve as the Beavers best between the 1914 and 2000 seasons. In 1927, Oregon Agricultural College became Oregon State Agricultural College, the Oregon State Beavers were born. Oregon State started 1-2 under the new moniker. Game four was at home against Washington State, a 13-6 victory. This marked the last time that John Richard Newton Bell threw his top hat into the Willamette River, which he had done after every Beaver victory in Corvallis since 1894. The Beavers then split the next two games, beating Oregon and losing to Idaho. Their final game was against Carnegie Tech. The year before, Carnegie Tech defeated Notre Dame 19-0, ruining Notre Dame's undefeated season. The Beavers faired slightly better in their 14-14 tie. Carnegie Tech went on to defeat the Irish in the rematch in 1928, 27-7. In 1928, the Beavers stumbled to a 5-3 record. Game nine was a revolution. It marked the first time a team from the West Coast traveled across the country to play a team from the East Coast. It matched the Beavers against the New York University Violets in Yankee Stadium on Thanksgiving Day. New York was a juggernaut. They were 7-1 with wins over Fordham, 34-7; Rutgers, 48-0; Colgate, 47-6; Missouri, 27-6; and Carnegie Tech, 27-13. Their only loss was a 7-2 affair to an eight-win Georgetown team. Most people did not give the Beavers much of a chance. One New York paper referred to the Beavers as "peasants from the rain belt." At kickoff, they were 3-1 underdogs. New York came out early striking first with an early touchdown, but the Beavers rallied with 19 second quarter points: two touchdown runs by Cecil Sherwood and Carl Gilmore and a touchdown pass from Howard Maple to "Wild Bill" McKalip. The game was revolutionary for the east coast, which was not used to seeing the quantities of the lateral, the forward pass, and the misdirection that the Beavers employed. Another touchdown run by Henry "Honolulu" Hughes put the game out of reach. New York scored late to make the score a more respectible 25-13. The win helped earn Howard Maple All-American honors. It was hailed by many as the upset of the year. Comparing New York to Man o' War, Will Rogers commented on the game in his

column letting go of his frustration at what the Oregon apple-knockers had done to his city slickers. When the Beavers returned from New York, Governor Patterson honored them at a dinner in Portland. In Corvallis, 4000 turned out to meet them at the station. In 1929, the Beavers started off 4-4. Game nine was against the University of Detroit Titans in Detroit. The Titans, the defending national champions, had not lost a game since Notre Dame tripped them up in October 1927. In the two weeks leading up to the Oregon State game, the Titans had travelled to West Virginia and Michigan State and beat them by a combined 61-0. The Beavers beat the Titans 14-7, ending Detroit's 22-game unbeaten streak. The Beavers started 1930 going 6-3. Two of their three losses were in California, against USC, the defending Pacific Coast champions, at the Coliseum, 27-7, and Stanford, 13-7. The final loss was a 14-7 heartbreaker to Washington State, who would wind up champions of the Pacific Coast Conference. The Beavers capped off their 1930 season by traveling to Soldier Field to play against 5-4 West Virginia. Once again, the Beavers would prove victorious, besting the Mountaineers 12-0 on two "Wild Bill" McKalip touchdowns. In 1931, Oregon State scheduled Colorado and Utah. For the first time in four years, they would not have to leave the West Coast. The Beavers started off with a 76-0 win over Willamette. This remains the most points scored and largest margin of victory in a Beavers game. The season continued on a high note with a 16-0 victory over Colorado. From there, the Beavers went 4-3-1 beating Utah 12-0. In 1932, Oregon State had a very ambitious schedule, finishing with games against the Fordham Rams at the Polo grounds and the Detroit Titans in the Motor City five days later on Thanksgiving Day. The Beavers were 4-4 when they played Fordham, but there was no magic left. Oregon State dropped both games losing 8-6 to the Rams and 14-6 to the Titans. The 1932 season would be Paul Schissler's last. In an effort to save money due in part to the Great Depression, Oregon State attempted to reduce Paul Schissler's salary by $800 per year. He refused the pay cut, resigning to become the coach of the Chicago Cardinals. For the next four years, he coached in Chicago and Brooklyn, compiling a 14-29-3 record. After leaving the NFL's coaching ranks, his most noticeable accomplishment was helping to start the Pro Bowl in 1951. [edit] 1933: Ironmen With the Great Depression in full swing, Oregon State did not look far for their next head coach, promoting Alonzo "Lon" Stiner to the position. The Beavers responded, going 3-0-1 and outscoring their opponents 62-0. Game five was in San Francisco, California, against the San Francisco Dons. Oregon State won 12-7. They also only used 12 players. It was a sign of things to come. The following weekend pitted the Beavers against the two-time defending national champion Southern California Trojans. The Trojans were riding a 25-game winning streak into the game. They also were riding a 10-game winning streak against Oregon State in which they outscored the Beavers 199-33. They brought around 80 players to Portland to play the Beavers and substituted 18 times; Oregon State brought around 30 players, although they would not need that many. For three quarters the Beavers defense bent but did not break against the Men of Troy. The Trojans got inside the Beaver 10-yard line twice only to have their drives end on downs. Red Franklin also had three interception in the Beaver red zone to fend off the Trojan attack. Late in the fourth quarter, the Trojans got perhaps their best chance when Haskell Wotkyns broke through the right side. He may have saw the end zone, but he felt Harold

Prangle, who tackled Wotkyns at the seven, knocking him out of the game. The Trojans would get no closer. They got the ball back with a couple seconds left and heaved it downfield, hoping for a miracle. Red Franklin was there again for the Beavers. His return almost turned a 0-0 game into a 6-0 victory, but he was finally tackled at the Trojan 47 with no time left. The final score was 0-0, snapping the Trojans 25-game winning streak. The Beavers became the only team to win or tie against a two-time defending champion and use no substitutes. The "Iron Immortals," or "Ironmen" as they became known, were immortalized in a line of Oregon State's fight song, "Men of Iron, their strength will never yield." The following game, Oregon State's Ironmen beat Washington State 2-0, using only one substitute. The Washington State game is also memorable because it saw the first use of the Pyramid Play. The Beavers also used the play in a 13-3 loss to Oregon, which knocked the Beavers out of the Rose Bowl race. Instead, 5-1-2 Oregon State travelled back to the Polo Grounds for a rematch with Fordham. The Rams were a much better team than the year before. They were 6-1 with wins against West Virginia 20-0 and New York 20-12. They also provided Alabama and Boston College with their only losses in 1933 by a combined score of 34-6. It was generally accepted that a win over the Beavers would secure a berth in the 1934 Rose Bowl, so they naturally were very motivated. However, Oregon State, behind a 94-yard kickoff return by Red Franklin and the successful use of the Pyramid Play, beat the mighty Rams 9-6. The few Beaver fans that had made the cross-country trip were enough to tear down both goalposts The loss knocked Fordham out of the Rose Bowl picture; Columbia went instead. The season ended with a 22-0 loss at the hands of 7-1 Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska, but the two losses were the fewest for the Beavers in seven years. [edit] 1934-1948: Lon Stiner Era The 1933 Beavers would be the last to face a Paul Schissler-type schedule. From 1934-1948, Oregon State only would make three trips out of the two time zones of the Pacific Coast Conference. The Beavers from 1934-1938 amassed a 21-22-7 record. The biggest victory of the era was a 13-7 win over the Trojans in 1935 at the Coliseum. It would be the last such win for the Beavers until 1960. The 1936 team ended Oregon's four-game Civil War winning streak. Perhaps, no season typified the five-year stretch like the 3-3-3 record Oregon State turned in in 1937. The final game was perhaps the worst loss in Beaver history, a 7-0 loss to 2-3-3 Washington State. Oregon State could only eke out one first down. 1939 breathed new life into the program. Oregon State's opener was a 12-0 victory over Stanford. Their next three games were decided by a combined 10 points, all Beaver victories. The 4-0 record earned the Beavers an AP #15 ranking. It was their first appearance in the relatively new poll. At the end of October, Oregon State beat Washington State 13-0, the Beavers' most lopsided win of the young year. It earned them a #11 ranking, which would be their highest until 1956. The next week, the #7 Trojans en route to a national championship came to Portland and beat the Beavers 19-7. It was the most points the Beavers would allow all year and took them out of the Rose Bowl race. Oregon State beat Oregon and California (the Beavers first win over California outside of Berkeley) a combined 40-14 but could only manage a 13-13 tie against #13 UCLA in the Coliseum. However, the 7-1-1 record was good enough for an invitation to play in the 1940 Pineapple

Bowl against Hawaii, which the Beavers accepted. Much like in 1923, the Bowl was actually a two-game series in Hawaii. The first was against the Heanlani town team on Christmas Day, which Oregon State won 28-0. On New Years Day, the Beavers hopped out to a 19-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in a 39-6 rout. The nine Beaver victories in the 1939 were the most ever, and the 9-1-1 record would stand as Oregon State's best record in between the 1926 and 2000 seasons. Despite the defense allowing only 80 points in the nine game slate and posting five shutouts (the most since 1933), the 1940 season proved dissappointing. Oregon State jumped out of the gates 2-0-1, including a tie against the Trojans in the Coliseum but lost to #16 Washington in Seattle. The 19 Husky points were the first of the year. Two more wins over California and UCLA in California and a win over Washington State brought Oregon State's record to 5-1-1. Through the first seven games they allowed only 32 points and had five shutouts. However, the Beavers' record would get no better with losses in their fourth trip to California against the #4 Stanford Indians and the Civil War. The Oregon win would be the Ducks sole Civil War win between 1935 and 1947. The 1941 season was a peculiar one. For the first time ever, Oregon State was scheduled to play each and every Pacific Coast Conference team. They were the only team to do so in 1941. With the memories of the 1940 Pineapple Bowl victory fading, the Beavers were picked to finish near the bottom of the conference. The season began in the Coliseum against the Trojans. As was often the case, the game ended with a 13-7 Trojan victory. The Beavers responded by beating Washington in Portland, 9-6. After Washington, defending Pacific Coast champion Stanford came to Corvallis with their 13-game winning streak and #2 ranking, having demolished UCLA the previous week 33-0. Oregon State held them scoreless, winning 10-0. Oregon State had two weeks to prepare for Washington State, but it was not enough as the Cougars shut out the Beavers 7-0. Over the next four weekends, Oregon State was a perfect 4-0, shutting out each opponent, and outscoring them a combined 85-0. In the meantime, Stanford, who had clawed up to #6, lost a shocker to Washington State in California, putting Oregon State back in control of its own Rose Bowl destiny with only one week left in the Pacific Coast Conference season. A Beaver victory would secure a probable Rose Bowl berth. A loss would have muddled things. Theoretically, a five-way tie could develop if Stanford somehow lost to California and Washington was able to beat the Trojans. In such a situation, the league would vote on the representative. Although Oregon State had the most conference victories, Oregon State and Stanford would be tied in conference losses. The Indians could have been elected by the three other California schools to go. However, the scenario seemed far-fetched at the time. On the final weekend in November, the unthinkable happened. California shocked Stanford, Washington knocked off the Trojans, and the Ducks hopped out to a 7-6 fourth quarter lead against the Beavers. Fullback Joe Day eliminated the debate with a 29-yard scamper to secure the Pacific Conference championship and Rose Bowl birth. The final AP poll ranked Oregon State #12. At the time, the Pacific Conference champion selected their opponent in the Rose Bowl. #1 Minnesota was ineligible to play in a Bowl game due to Big Nine rules forbidding postseason games. Duke would have been a logical second choice, but Coach Wallace Wade had rubbed a lot of Californians the wrong way due to his antics following his 7-3 loss in the 1939 Rose Bowl. The Southern California

media championed Missouri or Fordham. Oregon State responded by inviting Fordham, with whom they had a history, but Fordham turned down the invite to play against Missouri in the Sugar Bowl. Unable to invite their three first choices, the Beavers settled on number two ranked and undefeated Duke Blue Devils, much to the chagrin of Southern California. On December 7, 1941, the world changed. The United States was forced into World War II because of the suprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. On December 14, the Rose Bowl and the Rose Bowl Parade was cancelled, by order of the Army. Many places offered to stage the event, including Norman, Oklahoma, and Atlanta, Georgia. Soldier Field similarly extended invitations to both teams. Instead, Duke invited the Beavers to make their own cross country trip to Durham, North Carolina. Duke Stadium only sat 35,000, but an additional 20,000 seats were brought in for the game from North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest. 56,000 people ultimately crammed in to watch. Rarely getting a chance to see the Rose Bowl in its natrual setting, scores of eastern and southern media also showed up. Lon Stiner was new to the Rose Bowl, having never coached in one. His only experience in a bowl was the 1940 Pineapple Bowl. Duke was coached by Wallace Wade, for whom Duke Stadium was later renamed. He had already coached in four Rose Bowls, posting a 2-1-1 record. Both teams had impressive defenses. Each had five shutouts, and no team had scored more than 14 points against either team. However, the Blue Devils had the impressive offense, featuring quarterback James Thompson Prothro and were undefeated. Only two teams had stayed within 14 points. They outscored their opponents 311-41, an average of 35-5. Oregon State, on the other hand, had only outscored their opponents 123-33, an average victory of only 14-4. The Beavers took the field as 3-1 underdogs. Some Duke players insist that they played the game in a deluge; the Beaver players insist that it was merely misty. Whatever the conditions, it was wet, favoring the Beavers. The opening kickoff was mishandled by the Blue Devils and recovered by the Beavers, but Oregon State could not convert. Later in the period, Oregon State's star, Don Durdan, would break the 0-0 tie with a 15-yard scamper. Duke answered in the second quarter with a 3-yard run by Duke's star, Steve Lach. The first half ended with the score knotted at seven. In the second half, the offenses shined for a brief moment. Partway through the third quarter, Oregon State retook the lead when George Zellick scored on a 31-yard pass from Robert Dethman. Duke immediately answered taking the kickoff and driving for a score to knot the game 14-all. The Beavers quickly answered, when reserve halfback, Gene Gray, hauled in Robert Dethman's 40-yard bomb and outraced two Duke defenders the last 28-yards for the score. Oregon State failed on the conversion though, leaving the door open for a Blue Devil comeback. In the fourth quarter, the Beavers defense would bend but not break. The 14 points represented the most points scored so far in the season on the Beaver defense, and they did not want to let down the offense which appeared content with 20. Three times, Duke crossed into Beaver territory and three times they came up with no points. The only points scored the rest of the game was by the Duke defense, a safety, when Don Durdan was tackled behind his own goal line. The 20-16 upset victory sent shockwaves throughout the country. Sid Feder of the Associated Press labeled it the biggest upset in the Rose Bowl's history. Most

people south of the Mason-Dixon had expected an easy Duke victory. The player of the game was probably Duke's Steve Lach, who rushed for 129 yards and averaged 47 yards a punt, but the honor went to Dan Durdan. His 54 yards rushing and 44 yards per punt coupled with the Beaver's 20-16 victory carried the day. The game was the first, last, and only Rose Bowl victory for Oregon State and it is the first, last, and only time the Rose Bowl has not been played in Southern California; it was also the last time Duke and Oregon State played each other on the gridiron. Reality quickly set in. Most of the players for both Duke and Oregon State served in World War II. Duke and Oregon State each lost a halfback later in 1942 as Duke's Walter Griffith Oregon State's Everett Smith made the ultimate sacrifice in the Pacific Theater. The 1942 season proved disappointing; the Beavers could only muster a 4-5-1 season. However, it ended with an unexpected tie with Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan. Oregon State did not field a team in 1943 and 1944. In 1945, the four Pacific Northwest teams played each other twice. The Beavers went 3-3 in the six games, including a sweep of the Ducks, en route to a 4-4-1 record. The Beavers started off poorly in 1946 with a 50-7 loss to UCLA in the Coliseum. UCLA would go on to win the Pacific Coast championship. Oregon State would not lose another game, finishing 7-1-1, including a 6-0 win over Southern California, the Beaver's only victory over the Trojans between 1935 and 1957. In 1947 and 1948, Oregon State posted a 10-9-3 record. In 1947, Oregon State lost to Oregon, whose quarterback was one Norman Van Brocklin, but toppled Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska, 27-6. In 1948, Oregon State jumped out to a 2-1-1 record before losing 42-0 to eventual Pacific Coast Champion California. The loss snapped a five game winning streak for the Beavers. It was Oregon State's third consecutive season with a six touchdown loss (albeit each loss was to the eventual Pacific Coast champion). Oregon State had only experienced two more lopsided losses in their history. After losing to California, the Beavers shutout UCLA in the Coliseum 28-0. Following the victory, Oregon State went 0-2-2 with losses Michigan State and Oregon and ties against Washington State and Utah. They closed out the season by beating Nebraska for a second consecutive year, 28-12. The loss to Oregon was particularly damaging. Oregon had not won consecutive Civil Wars since they won four from 1932-1935, and their win earned them a Cotton Bowl invitation. Oregon State, on the other hand, packed for Hawaii and the Pineapple Bowl. In the Pineapple Bowl, against the Hawaii Rainbows, Bob Krell recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass early in the game, which the Beavers turned into two quick scores: a one-yard run by Any Knuden and a short pass from halfback Ken Carpenter to Dick Twenge. There was plenty of scoring but Oregon State prevailed 47-27. The pass from Carpenter to Twenge would be one of five completed passes for the Beavers, albeit those five completions went for 112 yards. The Beavers outrushed the Rainbows 287-256, but the Rainbows had more passing yards, total yards, and first downs. Following the bowl game, Lon Stiner was replaced at head coach by LeVerne H. "Kip" Taylor. Many fans thought that Lon Stiner's offense had grown antequated since World War II and that the Beavers needed a change. [edit] 1949-1954: Kip Taylor Years Oregon State began the 1949 season 5-3. A notable win was the 63-14 victory over Montana. This was the last Beaver victory over conference rival Montana. Oregon State never lost to Montana in Montana's 26 seasons of Pacific Coast Conference football, although there were two ties. Game nine for the Beavers was against the #8 Michigan State Spartans in Portland. Michigan State's two losses were to #1 Notre Dame and #5 Michigan. The Spartans were three touchdown favorites and jumped out to a 13-0 lead. Oregon State cut the defecit to six early in the second quarter

on a short run by Kenny Carpenter. The half ended with the score 13-7 in favor of the visitors. Oregon State got the ball first in the second half and scored on their first possession on another Kenny Carpenter run. Lineman and kicker Stan McGuire's extra point attempt was no good. He would make up for it. His 40-yard field goal would be good. After the ensuing Michigan State drive stalled, Stan Mcguire rushed through the Michigan State blockers and blocked the punt, which resulted in a safety and an 18-13 lead for the Beavers. Michigan State would hold and respond with a drive ending in a touchdown and a 20-18 lead. Oregon State would score once more. Stan McGuire's extra point would cap the scoring for the game, a 25-20 Beaver victory. Stan McGuire was named lineman of the week for his play. His seven points single-handedly turned a Beaver loss into a Beaver victory. The following weekend, Oregon State beat Oregon in Eugene to finish 7-3. The year, however, would end in great sadness when Stan McGuire died in car accident. He was named captain of the 1950 season. 1950 started off in East Lansing, a 38-13 Michigan State victory, the magic was gone. From 1950-1954, Oregon State went 13-33. Excluding the identical 4-1 records Kip Taylor put up against conference doormats Idaho and Oregon, the Beavers went 5-31 in the five-year stretch. Two wins were over Utah. One win was a 20-0 victory over Independent Montana in 1950. It would be the last Beaver game against Montana for more than three decades. In 1951, Oregon State parlayed a close loss against Michigan State and win over Utah into a #15 national ranking. After a win over Idaho, the #14 Trojans came to Portland to battle the Beavers; the Men of Troy left 28-6 victors. In 1952, a dejected 8000 watched Idaho manhandle Oregon State 27-6 in what proved to be Bell Field's final game. It was Idaho's first win over Oregon State since 1938 and their biggest since 1924. In 1953, Oregon State failed to score a point until a 19-0 late October victory over Idaho in game number six. The next game was in East Lansing against #6 Michigan State, their first year in the Big Ten. The Spartans won 34-6. This was the final year in the six-year feud between the two teams. Michigan State went 5-1, but two of their victories came by a combined nine points. The teams have only played one game against each other since. Two weeks later, 13,500 showed up to watch Oregon State beat Washington State in the very first game at Parker Stadium. (Each home games since the Idaho loss had been played in Portland.) The Beavers won again the following weekend against the Ducks. In 1954, Oregon State won their first game against Idaho, running their winning streak to three games. It was their longest winning streak since the final four games in 1949. They would not win another in 1954, losing eight straight, including a 33-14 loss against Oregon, snapping a five game winning streak against the Ducks. Kip Taylor was fired and replaced by James Thompson "Tommy" Prothro, the assistant coach at UCLA. [edit] 1955-1964: The Tommy Prothro Decade Oregon State responded to the coaching change by beating Brigham Young University and Stanford a combined 43-0. The Beavers limped through a two-game trip to California, losing to the defending Pacific Coast Champion, UCLA, in the Coliseum, 38-0, and Pacific, 13-7. Oregon State welcomed the return to the Northwest, sweeping three games against Idaho and the Washington schools. The Beavers then traveled back to California, stealing one from California 16-14, Oregon State's first win in Berkeley since 1946. The win earned the Beavers a #19 AP ranking. The following Saturday, Oregon ended Oregon State's four-game winning streak 28-0. Starting in

January, slush funds were uncovered at Washington, UCLA, Southern California, and California. The slush funds were used to pay recruits, players, and ringers. Some of the funds had been in operation since the 1920s, making Oregon State's accomplishments from the 1920s to the 1950s all the more amazing. Southern California, UCLA, and Washington were all put on multi-year probation. It is widely believed that Red Sanders had imported the idea that collegiate players were really semipro athletes from Vanderbilt, when UCLA hired him as their head coach in 1949. He quickly turned a struggling UCLA team into a juggernaut, compiling a 66-19-1 record. Many of the other schools were forced to engage in the same type of gross rules violations merely to stay competitive. When Oregon went on probation in 1951 for getting caught paying recruits and players, they invited the Pacific Coast Conference to investigate UCLA. Oregon State faced a daunting schedule in 1956; their first three games were on the road against Missouri, Southern California, and Iowa. Since the Rose Bowl in 1942, Oregon State had only posted one win east of Mountain Time Zone. The trip to Missouri, however, ended well, a 19-13 Beaver victory. Oregon State then traveled southwest to the Coliseum against the #6 Trojans. Southern California left the victors with a 21-13 win. The final game in the three-game swing was against #20 Iowa. Iowa would nip Oregon State, 14-13. Oregon State would rebound in Corvallis, beating California 21-13. The Beavers continued winning, beating UCLA and the Washington schools. On November 10, they travelled to California to play Stanford. The winner would control its own Rose Bowl destiny. 65,000 turned out in what would be the most attended Oregon State victory up until that point, as the Beavers prevailed 20-9. The game would remain the most attended Oregon State’s victory for more than four decades. The Beavers would end up run the winning streak to six, which was Oregon State's longest since 1942. By virtue of their sixth victory, 14-10 over Idaho, Oregon State clinched a Rose Bowl berth, since no team off of probation could catch them. As a result, the Civil War was largely superfluous, and it showed when the Beavers and Ducks ended the game knotted at 14. However, a Southern California upset against UCLA ensured there would be no co-champion. Oregon State's Rose Bowl opponent was #3 Iowa. Iowa's only loss was to Michigan, who wound up #7 in the country. Following the loss, Iowa defeated #6 and undefeated Minnesota, #6 Ohio State, and Notre Dame in consecutive weekends a combined 61-8. The Rose Bowl featured the first matchup of two teams that had played each other earlier in the same season. It was Oregon State's first trip to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It would not prove as enjoyable as the Durham, North Carolina, version. Iowa went into the locker rooms up 21-6 at halftime. In the third quarter, they tacked on another touchdown, which put the game out of reach. Oregon State made a game rally, but Iowa held on for a 35-19 victory. Oregon State's three fumbles and poor tackling are generally cited as keys to the loss. In the offseason, the membership of each of the three teams on probation was put to a vote. Southern California and Washington each received nine votes in favor of membership. UCLA's vote was much closer. On one side were the four slush fund teams--California, Southern California, UCLA, and Washington--each campaigning for UCLA's membership. On the other side were Oregon and Washington State, who were each pushing for UCLA to be expelled from the conference, due to their failing to make any worthwhile changes. Idaho and Stanford lined up behind Oregon and Washington State, making Oregon State the deciding vote. Whether Tommy Prothro helped sway Oregon State on the positives of his

former employer is unknown, but Oregon State was the only team to break rank and vote with the slush fund teams to keep UCLA a member of the Pacific Coast Conference. In 1957, for the second consecutive year, Oregon State played its first three games outside of Corvallis, Oregon. The first game pitted the #13 Beavers and the #19 Trojans in Portland, Oregon. Oregon State prevailed 20-0. It was the Beavers first win over the Trojans in 11 years. Games in Lawrence, Kansas and Evanston, Illinois both ended in Beaver victories by a combined 56-19 margin. The wins propelled Oregon State to a #7 ranking. The Beavers would beat Idaho 20-0, which ran their unbeaten regular season streak to 11, Oregon State’s longest such streak since 1915. The Beavers concluded October by travelling to the Coliseum and Seattle, Washington, each game ending in a loss. After the consecutive losses to UCLA and Washington, Oregon State won against Washington State, California, and Stanford. At the time, there was a no-repeat rule in the Pacific Coast Conference, which precluded Oregon State from playing in the game. As such, the Beavers win over Stanford and the Duck’s win over the Trojans clinched a Rose Bowl berth for Oregon. Knowing that, the Beavers still came out firing against the #15 Ducks, winning 10-7. Oregon would go on to lose to the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes by an identical 10-7 score. In the offseason California, Southern California, and UCLA convinced Washington to leave the Pacific Coast Conference with them. This put Stanford in an awkward situation. They could remain in a conference featuring Idaho, Oregon, Oregon State, and Washington State with an expiring Rose Bowl contract, or they could join the slush fund schools in a new conference and, in all probability keep the Rose Bowl contract. In 1958, Oregon State started off the season ranked #12, their highest ranking to start a season in 16 years. The Trojans quickly pushed them out of the polls with a 21-0 victory in the Coliseum. The following day, team co-captain, Buzz Randall, died of leukemia. The Beavers went 6-3 the rest of 1958, including a 14-8 victory over California, the eventual Pacific Coast champion. In the offseason, Stanford joined the slush fund teams in a vote to dissolve the Pacific Coast Conference. The five created a new conference known as the Athletic Association of Western Universities, or the Big Five. In 1959, the newly independent Oregon State Beavers went 3-7. The highlight of the season was a 15-7 win over the #15 Oregon Ducks. In early 1960, Tommy Prothro convinced basketball standout, Terry Baker, to join the football team. Oregon State started the 1960 season by travelling to the Coliseum to play the #6 Trojans. The Trojans were the defending Big Five champion and the Beavers had not beaten the Trojans in the Coliseum since 1935; Southern California had outscored Oregon State 302-72 during that span. Despite recent history, the Beavers shocked the Trojans 14-0. The win propelled Oregon State to a #10 ranking. The following weekend in Iowa City, Iowa, the Beavers fell to #19 Iowa 22-12, knocking Oregon State out of the polls. Oregon State went 5-2-1 the rest of the way, including a 20-6 win over Indiana in Bloomington, Indiana, and a 14-14 tie in Corvallis against the #19 Ducks. The Beavers went 2-2 against the Big Five, losing against California and Washington by a combined nine points. The 6-3-1 record earned Oregon State a Gotham Bowl invite, which was to be held in Yankee Stadium. They were slated to play Holy Cross. Upon receiving Oregon State’s acceptance, Holy Cross was uninvited. Despite attempting to invite Colorado, Syracuse, Tennessee, and Holy Cross a second time, no opponent was ever found. Oregon State did not make the trip and the game was never played. The Gotham Bowl lasted two seasons before folding. Terry Baker accounted for 1473 yards in 1960 as a single wing halfback, a Beaver record. In 1961, in order to maximize Terry Baker’s talent, Tommy Prothro scrapped the single wing offense in favor of the T formation and installed Terry Baker as quarterback. Oregon State College also

became Oregon State University. The first game pitted #10 Syracuse and #17 Oregon State in Portland, Oregon. The game featured two future Heisman winners. Ernie Davis and Terry Baker accounted for 18 of the 27 points scored, a 19-8 Syracuse victory. The Beavers went 5-4 the rest of the way, including a 24-23 loss in Tempe, Arizona, in the first game against the Sun Devils. Oregon State split with the Big Five. In the offseason, Washington State joined the Big Five, creating the Big Six. The first four games of 1962 were away from Corvallis. The first featured Iowa State in Portland, Oregon, a 39-35 Oregon State victory. The following weekend, the Beavers fell to Iowa 28-8 in Iowa City, Iowa. In the first weekend in October, Oregon State travelled south to Stanford to take on the #12 Indians. The Beavers left 27-0 winners. The following weekend, #7 Washington came to Portland, Oregon, and left 14-13 winners. The narrow defeat would be the Beavers’ last in 1962. At the end of October, #19 West Virginia came to Portland, Oregon. The Beavers pummeled the Mountaineers 51-22. Following two wins on the Palouse, against Idaho and Washington State, and a win in Corvallis against Colorado State, Oregon State climbed to #18. At the end of November, Oregon came to Corvallis. The Ducks were 6-2-1. Their two losses were in Columbus, Ohio, and Austin, Texas, against the Buckeyes and the undefeated Southwest Conference Champion Longhorns. The winner would clinch the best record in the state. Oregon jumped out to a 17-3 lead. The Beavers kicked a field goal before halftime to cut the lead 17-6. Late in the third quarter, Oregon State scored to cut the lead to four. In the waning seconds, Terry Baker threw a 13-yard pass to Danny Espalin to win the game for the Beavers, 20-17. At the game’s end, he had amassed 4,980 yards in total offense, the second most in college football history. His 2276 total yards in 1962 were the second most ever and the most that year by more than three football fields. November 27, 1962 was an auspicious day for Oregon State. The Beavers accepted a bid to play in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania against the Villanova Wildcats in the Liberty Bowl. Terry Baker also was informed that he had won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first player west of the Pecos River to win the award. On his trip to New York City, he met John F. Kennedy in Philadelphia at the Army-Navy game. The award was presented in New York City by Robert F. Kennedy. Ten days later, Oregon State took the field against Villanova. The Beavers, with Terry Baker, were the clear favorites, but the Wildcats were no pushover. Oregon State and Villanova shared identical 7-2 records. The Wildcats out-sized Oregon State at most positions, and they also had more bowl experience. They were the defending Sun Bowl champions. In an era of only 11 bowl games, winning a bowl game was quite an achievement. Finally, the game was played in Villanova’s backyard, 30 minutes to the southeast in Philadelphia Municipal Stadium. The temperature was 17 degrees at kickoff, keeping all but 17,048 from showing up in the 105,000 seat stadium. However, 27 million watched on television. If the game were held in 2008, it would have been the fourth most watched bowl game. Villanova got the first break of the game in the first quarter when William Sherlock’s 52-yard punt was downed nine inches from the Oregon State end zone by Larry Glueck. The Wildcats stacked the box with eight men, expecting something up the middle; however, Terry Baker took it around the left end. He shook off two Villanova defenders in the end zone and broke away. At the seven, he paid back Glueck with a punishing stiff arm at the seven. From there, he turned on the afterburners and outran the Wildcats down the field for a touchdown. Baker’s two-point pass was broken up, keeping the score 6-0. The 99-yard run remains the longest play from scrimmage in bowl and Oregon State history. The Wildcats responded by marching into the Beaver red zone, but the Beaver

defense forced a turnover to end the threat. Villanova spent most of the game marching between the twenties. At some point in each Villanova drive, Oregon State’s defense would eventually stiffen and stop the threat. The Wildcats last threat began when they broke into the Beavers’ red zone with a couple minutes left. They made their way down to the 11 before the Beavers finally forced a fumble to finally extinguish the Wildcats’ chances. Villanova wound up outgaining Oregon State 309-299 with 20 first downs to the Beavers’ 11. The Beavers defense forced six Wildcat turnovers. Baker wound up rushing for 137 yards and passing for 123 yards. The 260 yards accounted for 87% of Oregon State’s offense. In January, Terry Baker was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, becoming the only Heisman Trophy winner to win the award. Other winners in the 1960s include Arnold Palmer, Sandy Koufax, Carl Yastrzemski, and Bill Russell. Sonny Liston was also under strong consideration for the award. Later in 1963, Terry Baker was the starting point guard on the Oregon State basketball team, which made it to the Final Four. The last Liberty Bowl held in Philadelphia was in 1963. In 1964, organizers moved the game indoors in Atlantic City, NJ. In 1965, the game was moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where it has been played ever since. 1963 started well for Oregon State, with the Beavers outscoring Colorado and Utah by a combined 70-20. The quick start propelled Oregon State to a #22 ranking. #14 Baylor came to Portland, Oregon, in early October to play the undefeated Beavers. Oregon State won 22-15 to stretch their winning streak to 10, the Beavers’ longest-ever streak. Baylor

would go on to win the Bluebonnet Bowl. The following weekend, Oregon State travelled to Seattle, Washington, to play Washington. The Huskies won 34-7. The win helped propel Washington to a Big Six championship and Rose Bowl berth. Oregon State meanwhile lost four of their final six games to finish 5-5. The Beavers split in its games with the Big Six. On April 1, 1964, Oregon and Oregon State were unanimously invited to join the Athletic Association of Western Universities. The first four games of 1964 were away from Corvallis. The first was in Evanston, Illinois, which ended in a 7-3 Northwestern victory. However, the Beavers found more success in Boulder, Colorado, and Waco, Texas, against Colorado and Baylor with two seven point victories. In the conference opener against Washington in Portland, Oregon, Oregon State paid Washington back with a 9-7 victory. In the first game in Corvallis, Oregon State defeated Idaho 10-7. The 4-1 start earned the Beavers a #17 ranking. Oregon State defeated #8 Syracuse 31-13 in Portland, Oregon, paying back the Orangemen for a 31-8 victory the year before in New York. The following two weeks, Oregon State beat Washington State and Indiana by double digits. The wins propelled the Beavers to #8, but, that Saturday, Stanford beat Oregon State in California, 16-7. The final scheduled game was the Civil War. #10 Oregon was 7-1-1, a win away from their best season in more than three decades. Oregon State, on the other hand, was a win away from a conference championship. With a win and a Bruin-Trojan tie, the Beavers would be headed to the Rose Bowl. The 1964 Civil War featured the two best Oregon teams in more than three decades. It was the most attended game ever in Corvallis, Oregon. Oregon jumped out to a 6-0 lead. With 54 seconds left, Oregon State’s Booker Washington scored from one-yard out. Steve Clark added the extra point for a 7-6 Beaver win. However, the Trojans defeated the Bruins, which knotted the Beavers and Trojans atop the conference. Nevertheless, the conference voted Oregon State champions over Southern California. The Beavers had a better record, a better record against the Big Ten (by virtue of the 24-14 over Indiana in Corvallis), and Southern California had gone two years prior. Oregon State’s opponent was #4 Michigan. Michigan had beaten two top 10 teams throughout the year, and their only loss was by a single point to Purdue. Oregon State started the game as 11-point underdogs. Oregon State’s second January trip to Southern California would not be as enjoyable as the first. Winning the conference by vote over the Trojans was very unpopular in Pasadena, California. The reception was much less warm for the players and fans. Partway through the game, play was suspended because one of the upset Trojans set off a smoke bomb on the field. The game started off well for Oregon State. The scoreless tie was broken in the second quarter when Oregon State’s Doug McDougal hauled in a five-yard pass from Paul Brothers. However, the score merely seemed to wake Michigan from their slumber. They scored twice on 40+ yard runs to take a 12-7 lead at halftime. Michigan tacked on two more touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 27-7 lead and put the game out of reach. They tacked on a fifth touchdown in the fourth quarter, making the final score 34-7. Shortly after the game ended, Tommy Prothro accepted the head coaching job at UCLA, leaving Oregon State without a coach. [edit] 1965-1966: Sands of Iwo Jima Oregon State hired the head coach of Idaho as their new head coach, Demosthenes Konstandies Andrecopoulos, better

known as Dee Andros. Dee Andros was a rather large fellow and lead the team onto the field, often wearing a bright orange jacket. He quickly earned the nickname, "The Great Pumpkin." Andros was a Marine war hero, having earned a Bronze Star for spending more than a month under fire on Iwo Jima. Although he was strict, Andros relaxed many of Tommy Prothro's rules, including Prothro's rule about entering a plane properly. The biggest win for Dee Andros in 1965 was recruiting Steve Prece. Preece had great speed (10.0 in the 100 yard dash), and a good arm, a great fit for the option offense. Linebackers Coach Ed Knecht, who had connections in Southwestern Idaho, received a phone call warning him that a rival school was attempting to steal Preece away from the Beavers, so Knecht promptly called new head coach Dee Andros with the news. Andros responded, "Get the $@%! over there. And if you don't get him, don't bother to come back." In 1965, Oregon State faced a daunting schedule, seven away games. They went 5-5, including wins on the road against Illinois and Syracuse, their easternmost victory between their two victories in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 1966 season began in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a 41-0 loss to Michigan. The following weekend, in Iowa City, Iowa, Oregon State finally beat Iowa 17-3. The game of the year was on the first day of October, when the #5 Trojans came to Portland, Oregon, and left with a 21-0 victory. After a loss to Northwestern, Oregon State posted six consecutive victories, including wins over Arizona in Corvallis, Oregon, and Arizona State in Tempe, Arizona. It was the first victories over the future conference rivals. Despite the winning streak, the loss to the Trojans kept the Beavers out of the Rose Bowl. Oregon State finished second. [edit] Rivalries Oregon State fans prepare to rush the field in a historic upset of #3 USC in 2006 [edit] University of Oregon Oregon State's primary rival is the University of Oregon. The Oregon Ducks are the Beavers main rival primarily due to the close proximity of the two campuses. The University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon, about 40 miles south of Corvallis. The teams first matched up on the gridiron in 1894 and have been playing each other almost every year since. The rivalry game between the two schools is called the "Civil War" and is played the last game of each season. They have played each other 111 times which makes it the seventh-oldest college football rivalry game. [edit] Washington and Washington State The two other Pacific Northwest Pac-10 schools could also be considered rivals. The Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars are within driving distance of Corvallis which causes sold out stadiums on the road or at home when these teams square off with the road teams always bringing a bunch of fans. The Beavers have been playing the Huskies since 1897 and the Cougars since 1903. It is notable that the Oregon State-Washington rivalry predates the first Apple Cup and Oregon-Washington games in 1900. [edit] Season Records Year Team Coach Win Loss Ties Win % Cnf Place PF PA Bowl Game Final Poll 1893 State Agricultural College Bill Bloss 4 1 .800 n/a 144 48 1894 State Agricultural College Guy Kennedy 2 1 .667 n/a 52 28 1895 State Agricultural College Paul Downing 0 2 1 .167 n/a 6 80 1896 State Agricultural College Tommy Cade 1 2 .333 n/a 26 14

1897 Oregon Agricultural College Bill Bloss 2 0 1.000 n/a 42 8 1898 Oregon Agricultural College No Coach 1 2 1 .375 n/a 36 78 1899 Oregon Agricultural College Highland Stickney 3 2 .600 n/a 75 60 1900 No Team* No Coach 1901 No Team* No Coach 1902 Oregon Agricultural College Frank Herbold 4 1 1 .750 n/a 157 16 1903 Oregon Agricultural College McFadden 2 4 1 .357 n/a 21 32 1904 Oregon Agricultural College Allen Steckle 4 2 .667 n/a 119 22 1905 Oregon Agricultural College Allen Steckle 6 3 .667 n/a 166 28 1906 Oregon Agricultural College F. S. Norcross 4 1 2 .714 n/a 77 4 1907 Oregon Agricultural College F. S. Norcross 6 0 1.000 n/a 137 0 1908 Oregon Agricultural College F. S. Norcross 4 3 1 .563 n/a 83 51 1909 Oregon Agricultural College Sol Metzger 4 2 1 .643 n/a 54 41 1910 Oregon Agricultural College George Schildmiller 3 2 1 .583 n/a 27 43 1911 Oregon Agricultural College Sam Dolan 5 2 .714 n/a 119 49 1912 Oregon Agricultural College Sam Dolan 3 4 .429 n/a 57 40 1913 Oregon Agricultural College E.J. Stewart 3 2 3 .563 n/a 59 75 1914 Oregon Agricultural College E.J. Stewart 7 0 2 .889 n/a 172 15 1915 Oregon Agricultural College E.J. Stewart 5 3 .625 n/a 166 173 1916 Oregon Agricultural College Joseph Pipal 4 5 .444 3rd 92 112 1917 Oregon Agricultural College Joseph Pipal 4 2 1 .643 3rd 83 33 1918 Oregon Agricultural College H. W. "Bill" Hargiss 2 4 .333 5th 33 46 1919 Oregon Agricultural College H. W. "Bill" Hargiss 4 4 1 .500 6th 143 64 1920 Oregon Agricultural College R. B. Rutherford 2 2 2 .500 5th 20 52 1921 Oregon Agricultural College R. B. Rutherford 4 3 2 .556 4th 231 42 1922 Oregon Agricultural College R. B. Rutherford 3 4 .429 5th-T 44 42 1923 Oregon Agricultural College R. B. Rutherford 4 5 2 .455 6th-T 55 71 1924 Oregon Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 3 5 .375 7th 71 85 1925 Oregon Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 7 2 .778 3rd-T 268 81 1926 Oregon Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 7 1 .875 3rd-T 221 30 1927 Oregon State Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 3 3 1 .500 5th-T 98 78 1928 Oregon State Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 6 3 .667 6th-T 206 53 1929 Oregon State Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 5 4 .556 7th 182 106 1930 Oregon State Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 7 3 .700 6th 208 60 1931 Oregon State Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 6 3 1 .650 7th 198 62 1932 Oregon State Agricultural College Paul J. Schissler 4 6 .400 8th-T 130 109 1933 Oregon State Agricultural College Lon Stiner 6 2 2 .700 4th 88 48 1934 Oregon State Agricultural College Lon Stiner 3 6 2 .364 9th 104 131 1935 Oregon State Agricultural College Lon Stiner 6 4 1 .591 7th 175 100 1936 Oregon State Agricultural College Lon Stiner 4 6 .400 7th 113 151 1937 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 3 3 3 .500 6th 71 60 1938 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 5 3 1 .611 4th 72 51 1939 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 9 1 1 .864 2nd 186 77 Pineapple Bowl 1940 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 5 3 1 .611 3rd 128 80 1941 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 8 2 .800 1st 143 49 Rose Bowl #12 1942 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 4 5 1 .450 6th 157

142 1943 No Team* No Coach 1944 No Team* No Coach 1945 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 4 4 1 .500 4th 100 131 1946 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 7 1 1 .833 2nd 157 81 1947 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 5 5 .500 6th 171 136 1948 Oregon State College Lon Stiner 5 4 3 .542 5th 249 236 1949 Oregon State College Kip Taylor 7 3 .700 5th 232 188 Pineapple Bowl 1950 Oregon State College Kip Taylor 3 6 .333 8th 107 183 1951 Oregon State College Kip Taylor 4 6 .400 6th 204 180 1952 Oregon State College Kip Taylor 2 7 .222 9th 123 267 1953 Oregon State College Kip Taylor 3 6 .333 6th 39 187 1954 Oregon State College Kip Taylor 1 8 .111 9th 60 296 1955 Oregon State College Tommy Prothro 6 3 .667 2nd 126 120 1956 Oregon State College Tommy Prothro 7 3 .700 1st 171 156 1957 Oregon State College Tommy Prothro 8 2 .800 1st-T 203 129 Rose Bowl #19 1958 Oregon State College Tommy Prothro 6 4 .600 4th 98 118 1959 Oregon State College Tommy Prothro 3 7 .300 Ind. 166 178 1960 Oregon State College Tommy Prothro 6 3 1 .650 Ind. 197 145 Gotham Bowl[7] 1961 Oregon State University Tommy Prothro 5 5 .500 Ind. 165 137 1962 Oregon State University Tommy Prothro 9 2 .818 Ind. 278 148 Liberty Bowl #17 1963 Oregon State University Tommy Prothro 5 5 .500 Ind. 198 192 1964 Oregon State University Tommy Prothro 8 3 .727 1st-T 149 124 Rose Bowl #8 1965 Oregon State University Dee Andros 5 5 .500 7th 162 124 1966 Oregon State University Dee Andros 7 3 .700 2nd-T 171 156 1967 Oregon State University Dee Andros 7 2 1 .750 2nd-T 187 137 #7 1968 Oregon State University Dee Andros 7 3 .700 2nd 285 179 #14 1969 Oregon State University Dee Andros 6 4 .600 4th 175 148 1970 Oregon State University Dee Andros 6 5 .545 6th-T 211 239 1971 Oregon State University Dee Andros 5 6 .455 5th 271 317 1972 Oregon State University Dee Andros 2 9 .182 8th 131 295 1973 Oregon State University Dee Andros 2 9 .182 5th-T 166 293 1974 Oregon State University Dee Andros 3 8 .273 5th-T 285 293 1975 Oregon State University Dee Andros 1 10 .091 7th 103 264 1976 Oregon State University Craig Fertig 2 10 .167 7th-T 179 325 1977 Oregon State University Craig Fertig 2 9 .182 8th 173 303 1978 Oregon State University Craig Fertig 3 7 .300 9th 128 266 1979 Oregon State

University Craig Fertig 1 10 .091 10th 147 396 1980 Oregon State University Joe Avezzano 0 11 .000 10th 108 386 Mirage Bowl[8] 1981 Oregon State University Joe Avezzano 1 10 .091 10th 145 469 1982 Oregon State University Joe Avezzano 1 9 1 .136 10th 132 306 1983 Oregon State University Joe Avezzano 2 8 1 .227 9th 171 266 1984 Oregon State University Joe Avezzano 2 9 .182 9th 158 396 1985 Oregon State University Dave Kragthorpe 3 8 .273 9th 160 362 1986 Oregon State University Dave Kragthorpe 3 8 .273 10th 143 270 1987 Oregon State University Dave Kragthorpe 2 9 .182 10th 189 433 1988 Oregon State University Dave Kragthorpe 4 6 1 .409 8th 246 280 1989 Oregon State University Dave Kragthorpe 4 7 1 .375 6th 207 357 1990 Oregon State University Dave Kragthorpe 1 10 .091 10th 152 371 1991 Oregon State University Jerry Pettibone 1 10 .091 9th-T 125 365 1992 Oregon State University Jerry Pettibone 1 9 1 .136 10th 163 363 1993 Oregon State University Jerry Pettibone 4 7 .364 8th-T 224 294 1994 Oregon State University Jerry Pettibone 4 7 .364 8th-T 223 239 1995 Oregon State University Jerry Pettibone 1 10 .091 10th 136 237 1996 Oregon State University Jerry Pettibone 2 9 .182 10th 216 388 1997 Oregon State University Mike Riley 3 8 .273 10th 195 285 1998 Oregon State University Mike Riley 5 6 .455 8th-T 286 291 1999 Oregon State University Dennis Erickson 7 5 .583 5th 347 277 Oahu Bowl 2000 Oregon State University Dennis Erickson 11 1 .917 1st-T 400 212 Fiesta Bowl #4 2001 Oregon State University Dennis Erickson 5 6 .455 7th 287 259 2002 Oregon State University Dennis Erickson 8 5 .615 4th 414 267 Insight Bowl 2003 Oregon State University Mike Riley 8 5 .615 6th-T 433 301 Las Vegas Bowl 2004 Oregon State University Mike Riley 7 5 .583 4th 320 294 Insight Bowl 2005 Oregon State University Mike Riley 5 6 .455 7th 293 365 2006 Oregon State University Mike Riley 10 4 .714 3rd 389 311 Sun Bowl #21 2007 Oregon State University Mike Riley 9 4 .692 3rd 362 294 Emerald Bowl #25 The Beavers did not field a team in 1900, 1901, 1943, or 1944. [edit] Bowl history Main article: Oregon State Beavers bowl game history Oregon State has played in 13 postseason bowl games.[9] They have also played in the Mirage Bowl, a regular season bowl game, for a total of 14 bowl game appearances.[10] This does not include an invitation to play in the Gotham Bowl in 1960, when no opponent was able to be found for them. The Beavers are 9-5 in bowl game appearances. [edit] Bowl game appearances and results Year and bowl Winning team Losing team Result 1940 Pineapple Bowl Oregon State 39 Hawaii 6 Won 1942 Rose Bowl Oregon State 20 Duke 16 Won 1949 Pineapple Bowl Oregon State 47 Hawaii 27 Won 1957 Rose Bowl Iowa 35 Oregon State 19 Lost 1962 Liberty Bowl Oregon State 6 Villanova 0 Won 1965 Rose Bowl Michigan 34 Oregon State 7 Lost 1980 Mirage Bowl[11] UCLA 34 Oregon State 3 Lost 1999 Oahu Bowl Hawaii 23 Oregon State 17 Lost 2001 Fiesta Bowl Oregon State 41 Notre Dame 9 Won 2002 Insight Bowl Pittsburgh 38 Oregon State 13 Lost 2003 Las Vegas Bowl Oregon State 55 New Mexico 14 Won 2004 Insight Bowl Oregon State 38 Notre Dame 21 Won 2006 Sun Bowl Oregon State 39 Missouri 38 Won 2007 Emerald Bowl Oregon State 21 Maryland 14 Won [edit] Notable players For a full list, see List of Oregon State University alumni#Football (American) [edit] All-Americans Oregon State has had 42 All-Americans in

the history of the program as of the end of the 2006-07 season.[12] 1916 Herman Abraham - HB 1921 George "Gap" Powell - FB 1928 Howard Maple - QB 1933 Red Franklin - HB Ade Schwammel - T 1939 Eberle Schultz - OG 1940 Vic Sears - T 1941 Quentin Greenough - C 1946 Bill Gray - C 1955 John Witte - T 1956 John Witte - T 1958 Ted Bates - OT 1962 Terry Baker - QB 1963 Vern Burke - SE 1964 Jack O’Billovich - LB Rich Koeper - OT 1967 Jess Lewis - DT Jon Sandstrom - G John Didion - C 1968 John Didion - C Bill Enyart - FB 1970 Craig Hanneman - DT 1972 Steve Brown - LB 1979 Steve Coury - SE 1992 Fletcher Keister - OG 1998 Inoke Breckterfield - DE 2000 Ken Simonton - TB DeLawrence Grant - DE Chris Gibson - C Richard Seigler - LB 2001 Dennis Weathersby - CB Mitch Meeuwsen - S 2002 Dennis Weathersby - CB Steven Jackson - TB 2003 Steven Jackson - TB Brandon Browner - CB 2004 Mitch Meeuwsen - FS Mike Hass - WR 2005 Mike Hass - WR Alexis Serna - PK Jeremy Perry - OT 2006 Sammie Stroughter - PR [edit] Beavers in the NFL Derek Anderson, QB - Cleveland Browns Nick Barnett, MLB - Green Bay Packers Kyle Devan, C - New York Jets Dwan Edwards, DT - Baltimore Ravens Keith Ellison, OLB - Buffalo Bills Tim Euhus, TE - Arizona Cardinals Mike Hass, WR - Chicago Bears - 2005 Fred Biletnikoff Award winner T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR - Cincinnati Bengals Steven Jackson, RB - St. Louis Rams Adam Koets, T - New York Giants Joey Laroque, LB - Chicago Bears Gerard Lawson, DB - Cleveland Browns Matt Moore, QB - Carolina Panthers Joe Newton, TE - Seattle Seahawks Chad Ocho Cinco, WR - Cincinnati Bengals Sam Paulescu, P - Dallas Cowboys Sabby Piscitelli, DB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Roy Schuening, G - St. Louis Rams [edit] Notable Former Players James Allen, former linebacker for the New Orleans Saints Sam Baker, NFL player in 1953, 1956–1969 Terry Baker, 1962 Heisman Trophy winner, Maxwell Award winner, Sportsman of the Year, and NFL quarterback from 1963-1965 Kelly Chapman, TE - Ottawa Rough Riders 1994-1996 José Cortéz, NFL placekicker from 1999–2006 Bill Enyart, NFL player from 1969-1971 Joe Francis, NFL QB from 1958-1959 DeLawrence Grant, former linebacker for the Oakland Raiders Bob Grim, NFL player from 1967–1977 and one-time Pro Bowler Bob Horn, NFL linebacker from 1976–1983 Paul Lowe, AFL running back from 1960–1969, two-time AFL All-Star, 1965 AFL MVP, & member of the AFL All-Time Team Pellom McDaniels, NFL defensive lineman from 1993–1999 Bill McKalip, NFL player from 1932–1932, 1934, 1936 Joe Phillips, NFL defensive lineman from 1986–1999 Steve Preece, NFL defensive back from 1969–1977 Rocky Rasley, NFL guard from 1969–1970, 1972–1976 Ade Schwammel, NFL player from 1934–1936, 1943–1944 Vic Sears, NFL player from 1941–1943, 1945–1953 and member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team Ken Simonton, former running back for the Buffalo Bills George Svendsen, NFL center from 1935–1937, 1940–1941 and member of the NFL 1930s All-Decade Team Aaron

Thomas, NFL player from 1961–1970 Robb Thomas, NFL wide receiver from 1989–1998 Reggie Tongue, NFL defensive back from 1996–2005 Esera Tuaolo, NFL defensive tackle from 1991–1999 F. Wayne Valley, Founder and principal owner of the Oakland Raiders & former President of the American Football League Len Younce, NFL guard in 1941, 1943–1944, 1946–1948 & member of the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team [edit] Media Radio flagship: KEJO 1240-AM in Corvallis Broadcasters: Mike Parker (play-by-play), Steve Preece (analyst) and Todd Mansfield (sideline reporter). [edit] References ^ a b c "The Birth of OSU Football" (in English). alumni.oregonstate.edu. Retrieved on 2008-01-02. ^ "The Stick that Stirred the Drink" (in English). alumni.oregonstate.edu. Retrieved on 2008-01-02. ^ a b Welsch, Jeff. "Tales from Oregon State Sports" p. 16-20. Sports Publishing. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. ^ "1905 Michigan football team". Retrieved on 2008-01-09. ^ a b "The Wall ". Retrieved on 2008-01-09. ^ "Oregon State Football Media Guide". Retrieved on 2008-01-09. ^ game canceled ^ The Mirage Bowl is not a postseason bowl game, and is generally discounted from bowl records ^ "Oregon State University Football Media Guide: Bowl Game History". Retrieved on 2007-02-09. ^ "Oregon State Bowl History". Retrieved on 2007-02-09. ^ The Mirage Bowl is not a postseason bowl game, and is generally discounted from bowl records ^ "2006 Football Media Guide - All-Americans" (PDF) (in English) 4. OSUBeavers.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-19. [edit] See also Oregon State Beavers [hide]v • d • eOregon State University Academics College of Engineering · College of Science · Wave Research Laboratory Athletics Baseball team · Benny Beaver · Civil War (football game) · Oregon State Beavers · Football team · Current football season · Bowl game history · Wrestling team Buildings and Facilities Cascades Campus · Gill Coliseum · Goss Stadium at Coleman Field · Radiation Center · Oregon State University Press · Peavy Arboretum · Reser Stadium · The LaSells Stewart Center · The Valley Library · Linus Pauling Institute Culture Students & alumni · Faculty & staff · Civil War (general rivalry) · Hail to Old OSU · KBVR (FM) · The Daily Barometer · Open Source Lab · History Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_State_Beavers_football" Categories: Oregon State Beavers football