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--> --> Beavers look ahead to next season EUGENE (AP) - Too much was expected of Oregon State. That much is certain. Yet when the season ended Saturday, with a 17-14 loss to Oregon in the Civil War, the Beavers could take pride in pushing the Ducks to the limit, and for coming back from a 1-3 start to get within a victory of a third straight bowl game. "The guys played their rear ends off," coach Dennis Erickson said. "I can't ask for anything more from them." As it turned out, Oregon State (5-6, 3-5 Pac-10) wasn't nearly as good as the No. 10 ranking that had been bestowed on it before its season-opening loss at Fresno State. An inexperienced offensive line and the loss of their two standout defensive ends from last year made the Beavers vulnerable. Ugly, unexpected losses to Arizona State and Southern California kept OSU from having a chance at a winning record and building on the incredible accomplishments of last year's 11-1 season. "The very first game, the opener, set the tempo for the rest of the season, it seems like," said linebacker Richard Seigler. "Nothing's really gone our way this season. It was definitely a learning year." Jonathan Smith and Ken Simonton, who have contributed more to the program than possibly any other duo to ever play in Corvallis, won't be back. But look at all the talent that will return for Erickson's fourth season: Quarterback Derek Anderson, tailback Steven Jackson and flanker James Newson on offense, and several standouts on defense, including linemen Eric Manning and Noah Happe, linebackers Seigler and Nick Barnett and defensive backs Calvin Carlyle, Mitch Meeuwsen, Terrell Roberts and Dennis Weathersby. Few gave the Beavers much of a chance Saturday, but the lousy weather, inspired defensive performance by Oregon State, and energetic running from Simonton nearly resulted in a colossal upset. Oregon State led 6-3 at halftime on two field goals by Kirk Yliniemi, and kept the lead until Keenan Howry returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown with 14:36 to play. The heavens seem to open for the Ducks at Autzen Stadium, letting loose a torrent of rain on Oregon State for its next possession. After a punt, Oregon drove 80 yards in 12 plays, taking up 7:45. Maurice Morris bulled his way into the end zone for an 8-yard score with 4:36 left. The Beavers responded with an 11-play, 69-yard drive, and Smith fired a 24-yard touchdown pass to Josh Hawkins. A two-point pass from Smith to Shawn Kintner brought OSU within 17-14, and then Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington fumbled on a rollout with 1:38 to play. Jake Cookus, who tormented Harrington with three interceptions in last year's 23-13 win by the Beavers, recovered at the Oregon 33. It would have been a 50-yard field goal from there, in the wind in the rain, but any chance of Yliniemi redeeming his earlier 32-yard miss evaporated when Cole Clasen was stopped for a 3-yard loss after catching a pass, and Jonathan Smith fell on his own fumbled snap. On third-and-17 from the Oregon 40, Smith was intercepted by Rashad Bauman, and the Ducks ran out the clock. "I thought it was a really well-played game," Smith said. "It was a great game to be a part of." Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing