Beavers fight off Bruins

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Relying too much on Justin Kahut’s kicking leg got Oregon State in trouble. James Rodgers’ running legs rescued the Beavers.

Rodgers, the Beavers’ speedy wide receiver, took a handoff on an end-around play and ran for a 17-yard touchdown with 1:17 left for the winning score, and the Beavers beat UCLA 26-19 for their first win over the Bruins at home since 1999.

Rodgers had seven catches for 106 yards and his brother, Jacquizz Rodgers, had 112 yards rushing, 96 yards receiving and a touchdown pass for the Beavers (5-3, 3-2 Pac-10).

With the Rodgers brothers carrying most of the load, Oregon State had 463 yards of total offense but had comparatively little to show for it, settling for four field goals by Kahut.

Kahut’s fourth field goal of the game put Oregon State up 19-3 in the fourth quarter. But Kevin Prince made it uncomfortable for the Beavers, throwing a 58-yard touchdown to Rosario Nelson. He connected again with Nelson for the two-point conversion.

After a defensive stop, the Bruins (3-4, 0-5) were forced to punt, but got another chance when the Beavers were called for having 12 men on the field during the return. Given new life, Prince connected with Nelson again for a 45-yard reception that set up a 7-yard strike to Taylor Embree. The Bruins’ two-point conversion tied the score with 2:06 left.

That gave the Beavers one final drive, but Oregon State quarterback Sean Canfield nearly gave the game away by throwing a ball right to UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner, who dropped it. Canfield then completed four consecutive passes before James Rodgers scored the winning touchdown.