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Oregon State Preview: Arizona

As the Oregon State Beavers begin another journey through the Pac-10 Conference, they better get ready to scratch and claw.

Sure, Mike Riley's roster will be tackling some Wildcats from the Desert Southwest, but OSU will need to get its teeth into this tilt at the very beginning, because coach Mike Stoops's students love nothing more than a good street fight.

You could call Arizona the "Alley Cats," because the toughs from Tucson very nearly ruined Oregon State's Rose Bowl dreams last season, a week before Oregon eventually did the deed. Stout defense, plus the big-play passing of quarterback Willie Tuitama, gave the Wildcats a 17-16 lead into the game's final minutes. The evening at Arizona Stadium had all the security of a trap door heading into the proceedings, and when 'Zona maintained a late advantage thanks to a missed extra point by Beaver kicker Justin Kahut with 3:58 left, it seemed that destiny would not cuddle up with the kids from Corvallis.

Oregon State insisted on writing a different story.

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The Beavers' defense made a gallant stand, and then an offense captained by Sean Canfield--the backup for most of least season, but the starter in Tucson due to an injury to starter Lyle Moevao--managed to march downfield without a timeout in the game's final 80 seconds. A 47-yard pass from Canfield to receiver Sammie Stroughter set up Kahut for a 24-yard field goal at the gun. Yes, that's how hard it was for OSU to knock off Arizona in 2008. True, the Wildcats will be without their superb tight end, Rob Gronkowski--lost for the year with a back injury--when they come to Reser Stadium for the latest edition of this conference clash, but the memory of last year's nail-biter in the desert should have OSU on guard this weekend.

Because of Arizona's offensive limitations, the key to this game rests with Oregon State's offense. The Beavers should be able to hold down the Wildcats, so the visitors' best chance of pulling an upset in Corvallis is for OSU to implode in much the same way that USC did against Washington in week three. Mike Riley knows that his offense, while having several very capable performers, lacks blindingly spectacular talent. The Beaver braintrust is aware that while most Pac-10 games won't be won with offense, they can definitely be lost on offense if turnovers flow freely from the mitts of setbacks, and from Canfield's left arm. As long as the Beavers display the airtight brand of ball that's become their calling card under Riley, they should be in good position against a zealous Zona squad that--despite being shorthanded--will make them earn every inch of Reser Stadium real estate.

By Matt Zemek
DFN Sports Staff Writer