Beavers overcome Arizona

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Cody Vaz recovered from a shaky start to throw for 267 yards and three touchdowns and lead No. 13 Oregon State to a 36-26 victory over Arizona State on Saturday night.

Terron Ward rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown for the Beavers (7-1, 5-1), taking on extra work when starting running back Storm Woods left early in the game with a sore left knee.

Arizona State (5-4, 3-3) scored on the return after Vaz fumbled on Oregon State’s opening drive, but the Beavers pulled away after a 19-all tie at the half to keep the Sun Devils from bowl eligibility.

Vaz, a junior quarterback, was awarded the start after Sean Mannion struggled the week before with four interceptions in a loss to Washington.

Vaz had started two games for the Beavers and won them both while Mannion recovered from left knee surgery. Mannion, a sophomore, started the Beavers’ first four games and averaged 339 yards passing, but was off when he returned in the 20-17 loss to the Huskies.

Vaz’s night started disastrously when he lost the ball on OSU’s 1 on the opening drive and defensive end Junior Onyeali returned it for the touchdown to give the Sun Devils the early lead.