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CLEAR Temp: 55 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Thursday, November 21, 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 23, 2002 Beaver Notes Anderson has stood tall for the Beavers this season By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune CORVALLIS — The more you’re around Oregon State sophomore quarterback Derek Anderson, the more you realize he’s: 1, Extremely talented, and 2, just as lucky. Anderson may have had his worst game Saturday during his team’s 59-19 win over Fresno State, but all of that is relative considering his excellent start to the season. The former Scappoose High standout completed just 9-of-20 passes for 214 yards, while also throwing his first interception of the season in 110 passes. Three of those completions, however, went for touchdowns, raising Anderson’s season total to 15 — five shy of the school single-season record of 20 set by Jonathan Smith in 2000. His first touchdown against the Bulldogs showed his toughness and field knowledge. Anticipating a corner blitz, Anderson clued his teammates into the same thing, then stood firm as the Bulldogs brought the house. "I told Kenny (Farley) that if they come, just keep going up the field and we’ll hit it," recounted Anderson. They did. He did. And he got pounded doing it. But Anderson never flinched, and even had a few words for the Bulldogs as he bounced up from the field. Like any first-year starter, though, moments of composure also come with moments of frantic unpredictability. His second touchdown Saturday completed that cycle. On second-and-11 from the Fresno State 32, Anderson quickly found himself the prime target of Bulldog standout Nick Burley. This time, however, luck took over more than talent. Anderson slipped under the grasp of Burley, then sailed a pass through double coverage to receiver Shawn Kintner, who made an outstanding finger-tip catch. It may have looked straight out of the playbook, but it wasn’t. "I lost my first progression," said Anderson, "then skipped the next two and just threw it out there and he made a great catch." When asked his description of the play, OSU head coach Dennis Erickson initially said the question should be directed to Anderson, still in the interview room. When informed of the quarterback’s description on his play progressions, Erickson dead-panned: "Skipped the next two ... I think he skipped them all." With all due respect to Oregon’s Onterrio Smith, OSU sophomore Steven Jackson may be the best running back in the Pacific-10 Conference. While Smith may be shifty and possess more open-field speed, Jackson is more powerful and not exactly a plodder himself. In four games, Jackson has 536 yards and four touchdowns — numbers strikingly similar to his more ballyhooed counterpart. Jackson’s career-high 227 yards on 25 carries Saturday were more effortless than any yardage gained thus far by Smith, and it was done against a Bulldog team known for its defense. More importantly, Jackson’s big day came when the Beavers — and Anderson — needed it most. "I was (nervous) today," said Anderson. "I just needed something to get me going, and Steven’s running did that." Over-hyped last year, the Beavers are at odds over what the national perception is of their 2002 version. "We’re in stealth mode," said linebacker Richard Seigler. "We’re creeping up on people this year. So far we’re flying under the radar." Although a perfect tandem on the field, Seigler and fellow linebacker Nick Barnett couldn’t be more out of sync off the field. "I don’t think we’re flying under the radar," said Barnett. "I think we’re just flying on the field." Either way, the Beavers don’t seem too concerned with national rankings this time around. "We’re 4-0 right now and we want 5," said Seigler. "That’s the only number we care about." 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