Fri Dec 28 13:59:06 2007

Comment | Email | Print

Terps and Beavers square off in Emerald Bowl

---

San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - The Oregon State Beavers are in the postseason for the seventh time in the last nine seasons, as they take on the Maryland Terrapins in the Emerald Bowl.

The Beavers experienced peaks and valleys this year in and out of the Pac-10. Mike Riley's team knocked off a pair of nationally-ranked teams in 2007 and closed out the regular season with three straight wins, finishing with an 8-4 overall record, including a 6-3 conference mark. OSU is making its 11th postseason appearance, going 6-4 all- time. The team has won three straight bowls games, including a thrilling 39-38 victory over Missouri in last year's Sun Bowl.

Ralph Friedgen's Terrapins needed two wins in the last three games to finish 6-6. The team really struggled in ACC play, finishing a disappointing 3-5, but did play perhaps its best game of the year in the regular-season finale, earning postseason eligibility with a 37-0 shutout of NC State. This is the 22nd bowl appearance for Maryland (9-10-2) which has won three straight bowl games, including a 24-7 win over Purdue in last year's Champs Sports Bowl. This marks the first- ever meeting between these two teams on the gridiron. Formerly the San Francisco Bowl (2002-03), this postseason event took on the Emerald Bowl name in 2004.

The injury bug ran rampant on the offensive side of the ball for Maryland this year. Only three players started all 12 games in 2007. The team averaged 350.6 yards of total offense per game overall, but over the final three games, the unit boosted that number up to 424.3 yards.

The ground attack, which generates 136.7 yards per game, is spearheaded by the rushing duo of Keon Lattimore and Lance Ball. The two tailbacks have combined for 378 carries in the regular season, amassing over 1,500 yards and a whopping 25 TDs. Sophomore QB Chris Turner played in 10 games this year and will be the starter in this bowl game. On the season, Turner has completed just over 64 percent of his passes, for 1,753 yards, with five TDs.

The passing game didn't find the end zone much in 2007, with just seven scores. Darrius Heyward-Bey has clearly been the top WR for the Terps, leading the team in receptions (48) and receiving yards (687), with two TDs.

The Maryland defense for the most part, has done a good job this season, limiting foes to just 21.6 ppg, on 355.9 yards of offense. The linebacking corps is the strength of this unit, led by the play of juniors Erin Henderson and Dave Philistin. Both players rank among the nation's top tacklers. Henderson finished the regular season as the top tackler on the team, with an impressive 122 total stops. He also led the team in TFLs (11), with one sack, one INT and four fumble recoveries. Philistin was right behind with 121 tackles, adding six TFLs and one INT.

The pass rush lacked consistency week-in and week-out. The top player in that area has been senior DT Dre Moore. The 6-4, 311-pounder gets great push up the middle, collecting 59 total tackles, with 8.5 TFLs and six sacks on the year. Junior end Jeremy Navarre (35 tackles, 5.0 TFLs, 4.5 sacks) also can get after opposing QBs.

Oregon State has relied heavily on its ground game this year. The rushing attack has delivered for the most part, churning out a healthy 166.6 yards per game, on 4.1 yards per carry. Senior tailback Yvenson Bernard missed two games this season, but has returned to the lineup and has really stabilized the ground game. He is averaging 103.7 yards per game in 2007, having amassed 1,037 yards and 12 TDs. Sophomore QB Sean Canfield (1,593 yards passing, with eight TDs and 14 INTs) has struggled under center, making way for fellow sophomore Lyle Moevao to get the nod in this game. However, Moevao hasn't really produced either, throwing for 836 yards in eight games, with two TDs and six picks. With inconsistency at the quarterback position, it is no wonder that no receiver has stood up and put up great numbers. Anthony Brown comes into this game as the top pass catcher, having grabbed just 39 balls, for 550 yards and one TD.

The Beavers had one of the top defenses in the Pac-10 this year. The team yielded 23.3 ppg in 2007, on just 313.0 yards of total offense (second in the Pac-10). OSU was particularly stingy in handling opposing rushing attacks, ranking second nationally in rush defense, allowing a mere 74.9 ypg, on just 2.1 ypc. Other areas that Oregon State's defense excelled in 2007 were getting after opposing QBs and forcing turnovers. The team recorded a whopping 42 sacks in 12 games and forced 32 turnovers, including 20 interceptions.

There are playmakers throughout this defense, starting in the linebacking corps. Senior LB Derrick Doggett has had a phenomenal campaign, leading the team in tackles (85), TFLs (13) and INTs (4). He also had two sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to his credit. Junior ends Victor Butler (24 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks) and Slade Norris (16 tackles, 10 TFLs, 9.0 sacks) and senior end Dorian Smith (37 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks) have done a lot of damage in opposing backfields. Cornerbacks Brandon Hughes (55 tackles, two INTs), Gerard Lawson (21 tackles, two INTs) and Keenan Lewis (15 tackles, three INTs) are always around the ball, with safety Al Afalava (61 tackles, two fumble recoveries) supporting both the run and the pass.

The Oregon State defense likes to get up-field and make plays. If the team can continue to force turnovers and shorten the field against Maryland, the Beavers should be able to win this game, behind the steady running of Benson.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oregon State 27, Maryland 20