Pac-10 contenders,
■ Everything is on the line for
Oregon State and Arizona in
this crucial game
By Robbie McCallum
Oregon Daily Emerald
Oregon’s in-state rival has deliv
ered, and now only one thing
stands in the way of a much-antic
ipated Civil War battle that could
decide the Pacif
ic-10 Conference
champion — the
Arizona Wildcats.
Oregon State
travels to Tucson,
Ariz., for a key
game with fourth
place Arizona.
The Beavers have emerged from
mediocrity this season to find
themselves in one of the tightest
conference races in Pac-10 history.
It has been a record-breaking year
for head coach Dennis Erickson
and his Beavers.
Oregon State is in the Associat
ed Press top-10 for the first time
since 1964 at No. 10. Junior tail
back Ken Simonton has rushed
his way into the school and Pac
10 record books as the nation’s
No. 6 rusher.
Arizona would like to spoil the
Beavers’ plans by upsetting them
on its home turf. At 5-4 overall
and 3-3 in the conference, the
Wildcats are hurting as far as a
bowl game is concerned.
But history favors Arizona in
this battle, as Oregon State has
never won in Tucson. The Wild
cats lead the overall series by a
dominating 19-3-1 record.
This season, the Wildcats have
struggled offensively and in the
red zone.
“If you look at the conference
standings, we have scored as many
poihts as Oregon and a few more
than Washington,” Arizona coach
Dick Tomey said. “But we need to
get better results. We need to believe
in ourselves and not doubt in what
we are doing. Finding a way to win
is the bottom line in athletics.”
Still, Erickson is weary of the
upset-minded Wildcats.
“I look at them play and, again, it's
like I seem to say every week—any
body can beat anybody,” Erickson
said. “They're as good as anybody.”
A loss would all but eliminate
Oregon State’s Rose Bowl hopes
while a win would potentially set
up a Pac-10 showdown next week
end with Oregon.
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■Much will be decided this ■
weekend as Pao10 teams
look to sort out the standings
By Robbie McCallum
Oregon Daily Emerald , ...
The cream of the Pacific-10 Con
ference has risen to the top, leav
ing the rest of the' pack to duke it
out for third place.
While either Oregon, Oregon
State or Washington will advance
to the Rose Bowl, two other Pac-10
teams Could finish as high as third,
and.,two others are still in the hunt
for a spot in the top half.
UCLA (6-3 overall, 3-3 Pac-10)
at No. 7 Washington (8-1,5-1)
The Huskies’. Rojje Bowl hopes
are still alive, thanks to a perfect
non-conference Tecord and a five
game winning streak. But Wash-:,
ington must take care of business
at home this weekend against for
mer Pac-10 contender UCLA.
The Bruins have endured five
close games since falling to Oregon
Sept. 23. UCLA defeated Arizona,
Stanford and Arizona State by a to
tal of 12 points, while falling to Cal
and Oregon State by a touchdown
each.
Even though momentum may
be on the Huskies’ side, history
favors UCLA. The Bruins have
won,.the last three matchups, in
cluding a 36-24 victory in Seattle
in 1998, one of Washington’s few
home losses in the past three
years.
Washington relies on senior
quarterback Marques Tuiasosopo
to power its offense. Tuiasosopo is
a finalist for the Johnny Unitas
Golden Arm Award.
Countering for the Bruins are the
conference’s top receiver, Freddie
Mitchell, and fourth-ranked rusher
DeShaun Foster, who returned to
action after recovering from a bro
ken hand.
A Husky loss would essentially
end their Rose Bowl hopes; a
UCLA loss would be less damag
ing to the Bruins.
Arizona State (5-4,2-4) at
Stanford (3-6,2-4) 4
Two teams in a tailspin. face off
this weekend in a battle that will
dictate where each team will finish
in the standings. Both the Cardinal
and Bun Devils come into the
matchup with two-game losing
streaks.
Stanford is assured of a losing
season despite upsets against Texas
and Southern California. Arizona
State, however, remains in the bowl
hunt with 5-4 record but needs an
other win to become bowl eligible.
Freshman quarterback Jeff Krohn
has put up amazing numbers for
the Sun Devils in two double-over
time losses, as has tailback Tom
Pace and tight end Todd Heap.
Stanford’s DeRonnie Pitts leads
the conference in receptions per
game, and should do well against
the worst defense in the Pae-10.
The winner of the game could
find itself in a tie for fourth place if
either UCLA or Arizona loses.
Washington State (3-6,1-5) at
Southern California (4-5,1-5)
Two disappointing teams will
fight to get out of the Pac-10 cellar.
The Trojans halted a five-game
losing streak with an overtime vic
tory against Arizona State. Wash
ington State has lost three overtime
games this season by a total of 12
points.
The Cougar offense took a major
hit with the loss of quarterback Ja
son Gesser. The sophomore sensa
tion was knocked out of Saturday’s
game against Oregon with a broken
leg and is doubtful for the remain
der of the season. Redshirt fresh
man Matt Kegel will make his first
collegiate start for the Cougars.
“ [Gesser]'s going around in
crutches,” Cougar head coach Mike
Price said. “He will help Matt as
much as possible.”
Although unlikely, USC could
finish the season with a winning
record. The Trojans would have to
upset UCLA and Notre Dame to fin
ish the season above the .500 mark.
Tucker becomes a father
i ne Associated Kress
Oregon wide receiver Marshaun
Tucker has a lot more on his mind
than this Saturday’s game against
California. He’s a new daddy.
Tucker’s wife, Daijavon, gave
birth Tuesday morning to their first
child, a son — also named Mar
shaun. The baby, born at McKen
zie-Willamette Hospital in Spring
field, weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces.
Tucker, a 21-year-old senior, was
back at practice Wednesday.
“I do have some concern about
him getting some sleep in the next
couple days,” Oregon coach Mike
Beiiotti said.
Despite his new responsibilities,
Tucker’s presence will be required
Saturday at Autzen Stadium. The
No. 6 Ducks are in control of the
Pac-10 race and are trying to get to
the Rose Bowl for the first time
since 1995. Tucker is Oregon’s
leading receiver with 40 catches
for 660 yards and six touchdowns.
Tucker has plenty of family men
around him. Beiiotti and his 10 as
sistant coaches have 21 children
between them.
“They may offer him some bit of
advice, as I will,” Beiiotti said.
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