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http:// --> Ashland, Oregon HOME Valley & State Sports Nation & World Opinion/Editorial Classifieds Business Columnists Obituaries Weather Archive Hot Topics Forum Photo Gallery Past Readers Polls Revels Etcetera Backpage O-Zone Special Sections Real Estate Guide Menu Guide Shakespeare Subscribe Contact Us Rate Card Place an Ad Online Games Movie Preview October 21, 2006 Beavers eye second straight Pac-10 road win TUCSON, Ariz. — Oregon State, its season rejuvenated by a victory at Washington, will try to make it two Pac-10 road wins in a row Saturday against the depleted Arizona Wildcats. The Beavers (3-3, 1-2) will face an Arizona team that snapped a three-game skid with a victory at winless Stanford last week but lost backup quarterback Adam Austin with torn ligaments in his left knee. With starter Willie Tuitama already out after two concussions, the Wildcats (2-3, 1-3) will go with third-string quarterback Kris Heavner. Arizona coach Mike Stoops knows that Oregon State will try to rattle the quarterback. "They will put a lot of pressure on us, but we have to have ways to counter it," Stoops said. "We will have to have something up our sleeve." Unfortunately for the Wildcats, bringing pressure is an Oregon State strength. The Beavers are averaging 3.8 sacks per game, with 11 coming in the last two games. In those two games, Oregon State has 25 tackles for loss. The math gets even worse. Arizona has allowed 20 sacks this season. Expect the Wildcats to come with a conservative game plan. Heavner threw only four passes after Austin was hurt late in the first half last Saturday. "We have to make sure we are solid around (Heavner) and our ability to run the football is key," Stoops said. "We have to try to get some big plays. We have to make sure we have a plan if they are cheating the line of scrimmage." Arizona's trio of running backs — Chris Jennings, Chris Henry and Xavier Smith — combined for 236 yards against Stanford. The Wildcats' had negative yards rushing their three previous games. The Beavers, meanwhile, are coming off a strong offensive performance. Matt Moore threw for 436 yards, fourth-best in school history, in the victory at Washington. Sammie Stroughter was named conference offensive player of the week after 223 yards receiving against the Huskies, also fourth-best in school history. Stroughter returned punts for touchdowns earlier this season against Eastern Washington and Boise State. Oregon State can move the ball on the ground, too. Yvenson Bernard is second in the Pac-10 at 106.5 yards per game. The Beavers are 3-0 when Bernard tops 100 yards. Oregon State's weakness on offense has been turnovers. Arizona intercepted Moore six times in last season's 29-27 Wildcats' victory in Corvallis. The Wildcats will need a strong effort from their defense to have a chance. "They kind of keep their safeties back, which is safer," Oregon State coach Mike Riley said. "They like to keep everything in front of them. I'm sure the big play opportunities will be there, but from watching films they will be a little tougher to get the 80-yarder that's in our play book." Arizona's defense has been steady most of the season, giving up 306 yards per game, fourth-best in the Pac-10. The Beavers rank third at 302 per contest. "Their defense presents a ton of challenges," Riley said. "They do a lot of things, and they do it physically." A victory would pull Oregon State above .500 heading into next week's home game against No. 2 USC. Leave a Comment: Advertisement: Advertisement: Paid Advertising Inkjet Printers Student Loans Water Filter Helzberg Diamonds Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Advertisement: Copyright © 2006 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.