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Ducks Rout Osu, Wait For Bowl Bid

Associated Press

Four weeks ago, in the frustrating aftermath of his team’s fifth consecutive loss, Oregon coach Mike Bellotti guaranteed his team would win its last three games.

Mission accomplished.

The Ducks blew out Oregon State 49-13 Saturday, turning up the heat on the Beavers’ embattled coach Jerry Pettibone, in one of the most one-sided contests in the 100 games of the Civil War rivalry.

Bellotti said the Ducks, who won their last three games 49-31, 40-23 and 49-13, deserve to be in a bowl game.

“I think we’re one of the best teams in the Pac-10 right now,” he said.

Oregon’s offense, led by a senior-dominated line, pushed the Beavers around throughout the cold, gray afternoon, and the Ducks’ defense stifled Oregon State’s option attack, limiting it to just 70 yards on the ground.

Saladin McCullough rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns and Tony Graziani passed for three scores as the Ducks (6-5, 3-5 Pac-10) stayed in contention for an Aloha Bowl bid or, perhaps, a Copper Bowl invitation.

The blowout loss added to speculation that Pettibone won’t return as head coach. The Beavers (2-9, 1-7) are 13-52-1 in Pettibone’s six seasons at the school. Athletic director Dutch Baughman and university President Paul Risser were to meet Saturday night to discuss Pettibone’s status.

“I don’t have any idea,” Pettibone said when asked if he’d be back next year.

Oregon 49, Oregon St. 13

Oregon 14 14 14 7 - 49 Oregon St. 0 10 3 0 - 13

ORE-McCullough 4 run (Smith kick)

ORE-Parker 11 pass from Graziani (Smith kick)

OSU-FG Stuckey 44

ORE-McCullough 2 run (Smith kick)

ORE-Winn 6 pass from Graziani (Smith kick)

OSU-Tompkins 37 pass from Alexander (Stuckey kick)

OSU-FG Stuckey 33

ORE-Hodge 9 pass from Graziani (Smith kick)

ORE-McCullough 2 run (Smith kick)

ORE-Latimer 1 run (Smith kick)

A-35,822.

Ore OSU First downs 26 14 Rushes-yards 57-240 39-70 Passing 238 124 Comp-Att-Int 16-28-0 6-18-1 Return Yards 21 10 Punts-Avg. 3-30.7 5-36.0 Fumbles-Lost 3-1 4-3 Penalties-Yards 11-122 3-35 Time of Possession 37:50 22:10

Individual statistics

RUSHING-Oregon, McCullough 28-146, Latimer 12-51, Parker 5-22, Winn 2-17, Malepeai 3-10, Brown 1-10, Jelks 1-(minus 1), Perry-Smith 1-(minus 2), Maas 1-(minus 6), Graziani 3-(minus 7). Oregon St., King 14-39, Alexander 10-12, Kirkman 6-9, Williams 6-5, Muhammad 3-5.

PASSING-Oregon, Graziani 13-20-0-167, Perry-Smith 3-7-0-71, Maas 0-1-0-0. Oregon St., Alexander 4-13-0-58, Muhammad 2-5-1-66.

RECEIVING-Oregon, Griffin 4-54, Hodge 3-46, Parker 3-39, Winn 2-19, Ricketts 1-36, Spence 1-25, Wilcox 1-10, Jelks 1-9. Oregon St., Harris 2-44, Tompkins 1-37, Reynolds 1-34, Williams 1-6, Kirkman 1-3.