Oregon State's trail hits roadblock Back to the riverbed for the Beavers

CORVALLIS, ORE. — The day was crisp and clear with a kickoff temperature of 62 degrees. Sunset left a stunning pink hue that clung to the hills that surround Reser Stadium.

It almost felt like Pasadena on Jan. 1

What a backdrop.

What a tease.

What a Beaver bummer.

Roses being housed in an adjacent building, guarded by a SWAT officer, were never threatened or presented.

There wasn't much to say up here after Oregon crushed Oregon State in the 112th Civil War, 65-38.

Beavers tried to make their mouths move.

"To be so close and lose that way, it hurts," Oregon State safety Greg Laybourn said.

It was just one of those humiliating, forgettable, embarrassing nights.

Oregon players, who had lost two straight to their Corvallis rivals, could have danced all the way back to Eugene.

"It feels good to finally get a win against Oregon State," cornerback Walter Thurmond III said. "The fans are so hostile, and it's a great atmosphere to play in."

It didn't help that Oregon (9-3) put a basketball number on the scoreboard and amassed a school-record 694 yards while scoring in dizzying displays and flamboyant fashion.

There was an 83-yard touchdown run, a 76-yard pass play and interception returns of 40 and 70 yards.

There was enough parading around to remind you of -- well, sorry, Beavers fans, we didn't mean to go there.

Oregon State played without star tailback Jacquizz Rodgers, sidelined because of a shoulder injury, but it might have mattered only if Rodgers could have played defense and tackled someone.

It didn't help that the Oregon mascot, a malicious mocker, waddled around Reser near the end of a game with a rose in his beak.

Incredible as it sounds, though, even as a devastating loss dropped the team's record to 8-4, Oregon State will still go its first Rose Bowl in 44 years if UCLA upsets USC next week.

Laybourn, pulled aside after a news conference in which he said "to come so close to a bowl like that and play like that is disappointing," barely raised an eyebrow when told all hope was not lost yet.

"I guess I'm a UCLA fan right now," he said. "But USC is a great team."

Oregon State Coach Mike Riley had similar thoughts about having to rely on 4-7 UCLA to do something extraordinary.

"You know I'm not going to lose any sleep over that one," Riley said.

So what now?

The Beavers go back to their riverbed and hope for a miracle.