Oregon State Can’t Run, and Cal Gets 42-0 Victory

California’s defense took away the running game, and that left Oregon State with nowhere to go.

The result was a 42-0 victory Saturday for Cal (3-1) in its Pacific 10 Conference opener against the Beavers (1-3-1).

“If they don’t have their running game, they don’t have a lot of offense,” Cal Coach Keith Gilbertson said.

Russell White had two of the Bears’ four rushing touchdowns, scoring on runs of seven and 17 yards. Both came after Oregon State turnovers. Dave Barr threw two touchdown passes to help Cal build a 28-0 halftime lead.

Cal’s defense, registering its first shutout since a 42-0 beating of Pacific on Sept. 5, 1987, continually disrupted the Beavers’ wishbone.

Oregon State, which had been averaging 280 rushing yards to rank fourth nationally, was shut out for the first time in 50 games.

“The philosophy of our offense is run, run, run. If we can’t execute that, day in, day out, we can’t play anyone well,” Oregon State quarterback Mark Olford said.

Unwilling to pass with any frequency, Oregon State rapidly fell behind and never really had a chance to catch up.

The Beavers were held to 140 yards rushing in 51 attempts and tried only seven passes, completing two for 24 yards.