Nov 8, 2014; Corvallis, OR, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver Robert Lewis (15) runs past Oregon State Beavers safety Justin Strong (39) at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Oregon State’s conference woes continued Saturday, after allowing Washington State to rack up over 500 yards of offense in Luke Falk’s first career start under center en route to a 39-32 victory over The Beavers. The loss marks Oregon State’s record to 1-10 as of late against Pac-12 opponents.
The Beavers jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter after Sean Mannion lead the Beavers 75 yards in four plays and Garrett Owens knocked in a 24-yard field goal. With 1:19 left in the quarter, Washington State would answer with Nick Falk’s first of five passing touchdowns on the day.
Two Nick Falk touchdowns and two more Garrett Owens field goals later, the Beavers trailed 21-16 going into the half. Owens’ last kick off the half (from 44 yards out) came after Oregon State botched a red zone opportunity due to poor clock management by Sean Mannion and Head Coach Mike Riley.
Washington State notched their first field goal on the day to stretch their lead to 24-16 mid way through the third quarter. Terron Ward punched it in from a yard out to put the Beavers back in striking distance at 24-22. Oregon State opted to attempt a 2-point conversion in lieu of taking the gimmie extra point. In a five-wide setup, Mannion threw a dart to Malik Gilmore, but it was batted away by the Cougar secondary.
Owens converter on a 46 yard attempt to open the fourth quarter and give the Beavers their first lead since the opening quarter of play at 25-24.
But as Oregon State’s offense stalled, Washington State successfully drove the field twice behind two more Falk passing touchdowns and a 2 point conversion, pushing the Cougars back on top at 39-25 with 5:57 left in regulation.
The Beavers mounted their last scoring effort of the game as Terron Ward plowed into the pay dirt from one yard out once again to edge Oregon State within a score, 39-32.
Washington State wouldn’t give the Beavers an opportunity to tie, squelching out the remaining time of play and sealing off the 39-32 victory.
Mired in the dredges of what is now reality in Corvallis, Oregon State now faces Arizona State, fresh off a 55-31 drubbing of Notre Dame. The Beavers will then travel to new Husky Stadium before returning home to Reser for the Civil War. If the Beavers hope to make the bowl season, they’ll need to win two of their next three contests.