Washington State Cougars vs Oregon State Beavers Box Score on Oct 06, 2012

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 6, 2012

No. 17 Oregon State 19, Washington State 6: Senior cornerback Jordan Poyer intercepted three passes and the host Beavers improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2002 after surviving the Cougars in an unexpected defensive struggle.

The Beavers (4-0, 3-0 Pac-12 North), who had the worst pass defense in the Pac-12 entering the game, held the Cougars' Connor Halliday and Jeff Tuel to 20 of 37 passing for 207 yards and picked them off a combined four times. Defensive end Scott Crichton registered three sacks after entering the game with three for the season.

Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion came into the contest running the nation's No. 4 passing offense at 362.7 yards per game, but was held to 270 on 25 of 42 passing with a touchdown and three interceptions. Markus Wheaton finished with nine catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.

Tuel orchestrated an eight-play, 72-yard drive, aided by personal foul and pass interference penalties, which led to Andrew Furney's second field goal of the game to move the Cougars (2-4, 0-3) to within 13-6 with 9:33 to go. The Beavers' Tyler Anderson put the game away when his 1-yard touchdown run with 4:27 remaining capping a 12-play, 86-yard drive.

Tuel, a senior, replaced Halliday after the sophomore threw his third interception midway through the third quarter. The first half was marred by five turnovers, including two interceptions by each team, and all the points were scored on field goals as Oregon State took a 6-3 lead.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Oregon State has not allowed a point in the first quarter this season. ... The Cougars finished with 20 yards rushing. ... Washington State senior LB Travis Long, who entered the game third in the country with 6.5 sacks, had one Saturday.