Offensive Explosions Fuel Beaver History
When your program has been filled with so many great players, how do you not expect standout performances?
The Oregon St. Beavers have had some great individual performances of the years; a fact that is evident even more so in the last 20—in which they’ve featured some of the most high powered offenses in college football.
Don’t get me wrong, they’ve had some amazing defensive players; but, at the end of the day it’s the offensive achievements that really stand out.
5. Ken Simonton (11/21/1998 vs. Oregon)
Looking to put Oregon State back on the map, Mike Riley and his Beavers faced off against Oregon looking to improve to 5-6 on the season—their best mark in 26 years.
The weight of the season fell on tailback Ken Simonton. Through double overtime, Simonton would carry the ball 28 times for 157 yards. He would score 4 touchdowns, including 2 in overtime to seal OSU’s big win, 44-41.
Statistically it wasn’t the best game we’ve seen from an OSU tailback, but it was the start of a great turnaround for the program.
4. Sammie Stroughter (10/14/2006 at Washington)
Sammie Stroughter had some amazing games for OSU, and surprisingly enough his best didn’t involve the return game.
Playing against a hostile crowd, and looking to end a two-game losing streak, Sammie Stroughter emerged as the star player for the day. Stroughter would make 7 catches for a monstrous 223 yards—averaging 31.9 yards per reception.
Jacquizz Rodgers (center) turned in one of the best performances in Beaver history
Sammie would score just 1 TD, but it was all the Beavers needed on their way to a 27-17 win.
3. Jacquizz Rodgers (10/10/2009 vs. Stanford)
Jacquizz Rodgers had a lot of great games as a Beaver, but this was by far his best.
‘Quizz had a “do everything” kind of day, rushing for 189 yards while tacking on an extra 82 yards on 5 receptions. He finished the day averaging 5.7 yards per carry and 16.4 yards per catch.
Did I mention he punched in 4 touchdowns?
2. Steven Jackson (10/26/2002 vs. California)
‘Quizz was good, but Steven Jackson was that much better.
October 26, 2002 the 4-3 Beavers were looking to end their three-game losing streak with a win over the 5-3 Golden Bears. Jackson heard the call of duty and rushed for 239 yards on 35 carries. He would rush for three touchdowns on the day.
The streak would end at three, as the Beavers rode their running back to a 24-13 win.
1. Derek Anderson (09/14/2002 vs. Nevada-Las Vegas)
Derek Anderson might be the best quarterback to ever play for the Beavers, and it’s because of games like this.
In just his third start, the sophomore was facing down UNLV. Anderson dominated the game, completing 77% of his passes for 356 yards.
Five of his passes were for touchdowns, and just for good measure he rushed one in as well.
The Beavers would go on to rout the Rebels 47-17, in what was just the start of a storied college career.