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P/CLOUDY Temp: 77 °F Wind: N at 1 mph Wednesday, October 9, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 22, 2002 Commentary OSU has a little R&R �� revenge and redemption By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune CORVALLIS — Throw out the games against Eastern Kentucky, Temple and UNLV, because the Oregon State season realistically began Saturday against Fresno State. Although the Beavers were more than pleased to start the season 3-0, it was the fourth game of this year that had a big circle around it. As much as Oregon State coach Dennis Erickson tried to downplay it and his team bit its lip when asked about it, Saturday’s 59-19 spanking of Fresno State had words like "redemption" and "revenge" all over it. Remember last year’s 44-24 Beaver thrashing by the Bulldogs in the season-opener? Everyone in Corvallis sure does. "It’s been 382 days since we’ve played them last," said Erickson. "We counted every one of those days, and I’m sure they will be doing the same thing for us now, too." Although Erickson and crew attempted to backtrack on any talk of payback, it was evident what happened Saturday supported that notion. Consider Aric Williams’ personal foul penalty following Oregon State’s first punt of the day. Williams flew down the sidelines "trying to make a play," he said, and wound up sending the first message to the Bulldogs that 2001 is a thing of the past. His punishing hit — seemingly right through a helpless Adam Jennings — was eerily similar to the blast taken by Terrell Roberts during a punt return in last year’s game. "It wasn’t really intentional," Williams said, unconvincingly, in retrospect. "All week I had a sour taste in my mouth over last season." One person not riding the fence on Williams’ monstrous special teams hit was junior linebacker Richard Seigler. "It wasn’t planned or nothing, but I’m glad they did it," said the co-captain. "... We really felt like we had to come out and be more physical than (Fresno State). Coach showed us a highlight film of a few plays last year where they were more physical than us, and we really wanted to come out and send a message early." That message rang louder than Jennings’ ears four plays later when Seigler stepped back in zone coverage, intercepted a pass by Bulldogs quarterback Jeff Grady and raced 65 yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown. The rout was on from that point as Oregon State’s defense held firm, allowing only four field goals in the first half — two following offensive turnovers in their own side of the field. Fresno State’s lone touchdown came late in the third quarter with Oregon State’s reserves on the field. "We really wanted to put a spankin’ on that team," said Seigler. "They kinda embarrassed our program and our team last year. They didn’t hold anything back last year and their fans didn’t either — everyone on the team remembered that." Noah Happe added a 52-yard interception return for a TD with 4:59 to play in the third quarter, making the score 59-12, or 12-12 between the OSU defense and Fresno State offense. "I took it personally what they did to us last year," said Happe. "I have no regrets for killing them today." Most of the Beavers shared that sentiment, but there also was a hint of surprise they were able to steamroll the Bulldogs in such devastating fashion. Saturday’s margin of victory was the largest since Oregon State beat UCLA, 55-7, in 1999. "It’s a surprise because the coaches had us nervous with all our preparation and game planning and everything," said Seigler. "I knew it was going to be an emotional game, but I didn’t expect this." Maybe even more surprised was Fresno State coach Pat Hill, who entered the game 5-0 when coming off a bye week. His Bulldogs had played every team close heading into Saturday, including a ninth- ranked Oregon team that needed a last-minute TD to rally for a win two weeks ago. "We have not been beaten physically like that probably since I’ve been here," said Hill. And that’s just the way the Beavers had it planned all along. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S