Oregon State Sacks Stanford, Bags First Win in 16 Games

Small wonder that Oregon State students and players celebrated as if they’d just clinched a trip to the Rose Bowl. For the first time since their 1995 opener, the Beavers were winners.

With a blitzing defense, a power running game and a freshman quarterback, Oregon State beat Stanford, 26-12, Saturday, ending the longest active losing streak in major college football at 15.

Oregon State students flooded onto the field after the homecoming victory, surrounding the team in celebration, singing the school fight song, then tearing down one of the goal-post uprights and carrying it out of Parker Stadium.

Freshman David Moran ran for a touchdown and passed for another and the Beavers, 1-5 overall and 1-3 in the Pacific 10, sacked Stanford’s Chad Hutchinson 11 times, an Oregon State record. “I think it was the finest defensive effort I’ve seen around here in six years,” said Oregon State Coach Jerry Pettibone.

Hutchinson threw two interceptions and fumbled the ball away twice in the first half as Oregon State took a 19-12 lead.

The Beavers hadn’t won since a season-opening 14-7 victory over Idaho a year ago. The win snapped a 12-game Pac-10 losing streak and was Oregon State’s first over Stanford (1-2, 2-4) in its last seven tries.