Beavers want that win on the road

At the midway point of the season, Oregon State has a list of accomplishments. But one shortcoming is glaring.

Coach Mike Riley's Beavers have beaten the nation's No.1 team, identified a new star running back in Jacquizz Rodgers, seen maturity and poise in starting QB Lyle Moevao, and managed to grow each week while playing a schedule that has included three ranked opponents.

One thing that has eluded the Beavers (3-3, 2-1 Pacific-10 Conference) so far is a win on the road. That could come this weekend against struggling Washington (0-5, 0-3).

"The next step, this week, will tell a lot in where we are going," Riley said in a Tuesday news conference. "It will be very important to us in that regard. I do appreciate this team, and I like them for how they have worked and the enthusiasm with which they play."

There are good reasons to think the Beavers can get that road win this week. The wheels could be falling off at Washington, where there is open talk that coach Tyrone Willingham is all but gone. Quarterback Jake Locker has a broken thumb that could sideline him for the rest of the season. Redshirt freshman Ronnie Fouch will make his first career start against Oregon State.

"He's a young, talented guy," Riley said. "They have some good young receivers. They play a number of backs. It looks like, with their new quarterback, they are into a little bit different offense than what they ran with Jake Locker. This guy appears to be talented and able to make plays."

Maybe most important for the Beavers, they are feeling comfortable with the development of the team over the first half of the season. Moevao is completing 61 percent of his passes and has provided steady, easy leadership at quarterback. Rodgers is leading the conference in rushing at 119 yards per game. Wideouts Sammie Stroughter and James Rodgers have shown game-breaking ability, and senior receiver Shane Morales has been the offense's most pleasant surprise.

On defense, the all-new starting front seven has grown up quickly and a veteran secondary has made up for injuries through depth.

"We have rhythm now," says defensive end Victor Butler. "We've developed chemistry together and we've jelled now. We can trust the guys behind us and we can depend on each other."

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HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT:@ One unknown variable in the Oregon State-Washington matchup Saturday could be lingering bad feelings from Oregon State's 29-23 win last year in Corvallis.

That game turned chippy after Beaver safety Al Afalava's shoulder-to-helmet hit on Washington QB Jake Locker sent Locker to the hospital. Locker returned to the sideline before the end of the game, but feelings boiled over between the teams, leading to personal fouls and shoving.

Oregon State's Yvenson Bernard appeared to get punched in the face after losing his helmet on one play.

Afalava said this week that his family is worried he will see retaliation in the game.

Washington coach Tyrone Willingham doesn't expect this game to get out of hand.

"We will try to get our guys to focus on the game and hopefully play it with great emotion but never cross that line," Willingham told reporters Monday.

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EXTRA POINTS:@ Oregon State has won the last four matchups with Washington, including three in a row in Seattle. Mike Riley would tie Dee Andros as Oregon State's third all-time winningest coach with a win Saturday. Andros won 51 games between 1965-75.

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