Junior quarterback Lyle Moevao sets up behind sophomore center Alex Linnenkohl in Oregon State's 45-7 win over Hawaii.

OSU prepared for No. 15 Utes

USC now in the past the Beavers are set to take on Utah in Salt Lake City tonight

By: Matt Wilhelmsen

Posted: 10/2/08

For the second week in a row the Oregon State football team looks to dethrone a top-ranked opponent on a national stage Thursday night.

A week after knocking off college football's then-number-one seed USC, the Beavers (2-2, 1-1) will travel to Salt Lake City to face a red-hot No. 15 Utah (5-0).

"We are looking forward to a very tough, tough game against Utah," head coach Mike Riley said. "We got a pretty good picture of what that team is about. They have an experienced, talented quarterback and a very aggressive defense."

Although it's a non-conference match up, the Utes and Beavers have quite the history. OSU leads the series, 9-4-1, claiming the most recent victory at Reser Stadium last season 24-7 in what was both teams' season opener.

In last year's contest, the Beavers' defense literally destroyed Utah's offense, holding them to 18 yards rushing and 178 in the air, much due to the absence of both their starting quarterback and running back.

Quarterback Brian Johnson and running back Matt Asiata were both sidelined in the season opener after early injuries. Johnson left the game due a hurt throwing arm as Asiata saw hopes of breakthrough season go out the window after a freak play resulted in a broken leg.

The 5-0 Utes have an explosive, high scoring offense averaging 38.4 points a game, almost 20 more than each of their first five opponents. Averaging four yards per carry on the year, Utah's backfield is comprised of a two-headed monster: Asiata and Darrell Mack.

"It's a trap ... I have told our men that this is really going to tell us who we are, do we truly understand about getting better and what that means and about living in the moment," Riley said. "I have a sense and I have faith in the fact that this team is grounded. You have to appreciate what you have done. There is nothing wrong with enjoying it, it's a very good thing."

Mack, a 6-foot, 220-pound senior out of Spring Valley, Calif., was a member of the Second-team all-Mountain West Conference in 2007 and finished the year with 1,204 yards, 3rd most in Utah history, and all of which while capitalizing on the misfortunes of teammate Asiata.

Beginning right where he left off last season, Mack currently is averaging 4.9 yards per carry on 64 attempts, including three touchdowns on the season.

Not to be out-done by last year's replacement, the redshirt freshman from West Valley City, Utah, he has proven his injury to hold no restraints. Equally sharing time with Mack, Asiata is leading the Utes with six touchdowns including a season-long 79-yard run.

The two combine for over 600 yards rushing, Mack with 65 attempts for 319 and Asiata with 64 for 320.

"They're a great team. They have a great group of athletes, they're well coached and their offensive line is going to be one of the best we see all year."

A healthy and rejuvenated Utah offense looks to continue its early success against an Oregon State squad coming off what could quite possibly be its programs biggest victory.

Looking to carry their recent momentum in to Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Beavers will have to be play as flawless as the week prior in order to come out victorious.

"We have to remain mentally tough and everybody has to know the offense," senior defensive end Victor Butler said. "We need a great week of practice, execution and more than anything we need to prepare well"

The Beavers have seemingly been on the exact same page as one another in the past two games as they defeated both Hawaii and then No.1 USC.

Leading the Oregon State offense has been freshman tailback Jacquizz Rodgers who currently is tops in the Pac-10 in rushing yards with 99 carries for 449 yards, first across the nation among true freshman.

Quarterback Lyle Moevao is also stirring up credit around the nation as he is currently No. 2 in the Pac-10 for total offense with 1,041 yards.

"You want to have confidence, that's very important to improvement," head coach Mike Riley said. "What you can't do is cross that line over into complacency ... that's where you begin showing up expecting to win games. Our team is a grounded team. I think that they understand that every game is unique and that every opportunity is unique."

The Beavers and the No. 15 Utes kick off at 6 p.m. at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The game will be aired on Versus.

Matt Wilhelmsen, sports writer

sports@dailybarometer.com