Beavers keep control of their destiny

TUCSON -- Justin Kahut hit a 24-yard field goal as time expired, and No. 21 Oregon State rallied to defeat Arizona, 19-17, on Saturday night and move to within a victory of its first Rose Bowl trip since 1965.

Kahut nailed the winner just minutes after missing a potential tying extra-point attempt.

“I think that’s how our season has been going,” Oregon State Coach Mike Riley said. “The main thing is that we would not be denied.”

The Beavers (8-3, 7-1), who started the season 2-3, can clinch a trip to Pasadena with a victory over No. 24 Oregon in the Civil War next Saturday.

Kahut, a sophomore from Portland, said he prayed for a shot at redemption after hooking the extra-point attempt to the left to leave the Beavers in a 17-16 hole with 3:58 remaining.

“I didn’t feel like that was supposed to be the way that our season was going to go down,” he said. “I didn’t want it to be where I lost the game for the team. They worked so hard, and we deserved that win.”

Trailing, 17-16, with 1:19 to play, the Beavers took over at their 20 with no timeouts left.

On the third play of the drive, backup quarterback Sean Canfield, who started in place of injured Lyle Moevao, found Sammie Stroughter alone behind the Wildcats secondary for a 47-yard gain to the Arizona seven.

Four plays later, Kahut came on and calmly nailed a 24-yard field goal to seal the Beavers’ comeback.

Keola Antolin rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown for the Wildcats (6-5, 4-4).

The Beavers lost freshman running back Jacquizz Rodgers to a shoulder injury on their second possession. Rodgers took a heavy hit from Arizona cornerback Devin Ross.

Rodgers’ production was replaced by his brother, receiver James Rodgers, who ran for 102 yards and a touchdown, all on reverses out of his receiver slot.

Oregon State’s victory also put a damper on the BCS hopes of USC, which would have controlled the Rose Bowl race had Arizona won.

“I don’t think we made Pete Carroll’s night tonight,” Arizona Coach Mike Stoops said.