THE BRUT SUN BOWL
THE PITTSBURGH PANTHERS VS. THE OREGON STATE BEAVERS
DECEMBER 31, 2008 EL PASO, TEXAS
2:00 PM ET, 12:00 NOON MST
Oregon State (8-4), representing the PAC-10, is designated as the home team for the Sun Bowl. Pittsburgh (9-3) comes to El Paso as the Big East representative. The Panthers are rated #18 in the AP Poll while the Beavers are #24. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the classic bowl game. The teams arrive statistically in a near dead heat. PIT has scored an average of 29+ points while yielding 23. OSU has scored 32+ and allowed 25. The last meeting between the schools was December 26, 2002 in the Insight Bowl. The Panthers prevailed in that game by 25 points, 38-13. It’s safe to say the Beavers seek retribution.
PITTSBURGH: UP: Known as a come-back team, the Panthers have overcome deficits in the 4th quarter five times this season. A win in the Sun Bowl will seal a 10 win season for the first time since 1981. The team utilizes Coach Dave Wannstedt’s ball control offense, pounding mercilessly on defensive lines. RB LeSean McCoy has rushed 1,403 yards and led the nation in scoring. MLB Scott McKillop led the nation in tackles a year ago and is near the top again. Pass rushing is one of their trademarks, keeping quarterbacks out of their rhythm. The team is 100% healthy for the Sun Bowl. DOWN: The Panther’s three losses were punctuated with dreadful pass defense. Rutgers passed for 361 yards and six touchdowns. In dashing all PIT hopes for a BCS bowl game, Cincinnati punctured the defensive backfield for 302 yards and three TDs. They also held the Panthers to 35 yards rushing and sacked QB Bill Stull seven times.
OREGON STATE: UP: The Beavers have won four straight bowl games since that loss to PIT in 2002. WR Sammie Stroughter is their leading receiver and his role is expanding to include the running game. Early in the season OSU upset top-ranked USC with the Rodgers brothers in top form. Quizz Rodgers rushed for 186 yards and two TDs while James Rodgers caught two TD passes from QB Lyle Moevao. In the final game of the season against Oregon Moevao passed for 374 yards and tied a school record with five TD passes in the game. DOWN: The Beavers lost that Oregon game, ending the season on a down note. The Rodgers brothers return to their home state of Texas with injuries. James suffered a broken collarbone vs. Oregon and is doubtful. Quizz still suffers from a Nov. 22 shoulder injury vs. Arizona. His status is probable. He’s the team’s #1 rusher while James is #2. The loss to Oregon cost OSU the Rose Bowl invitation as they gave up 694 yards and 65 points, both school records for futility.
KEYS TO THE GAME: In this battle between former NFL coaches defense will be key. Wannstedt was defensive coordinator for the Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys prior to his head coaching duties at the Miami Dolphins. OSU Coach Mike Riley formerly piloted the San Diego Chargers. Look for the Panthers to put heavy pressure on freshman kicker Johnny Hekker, whose release has been slow at times. They will also key on Moevao who will be short his key receiver if James Rodgers can’t play. The Beavers front line will need to stop McCoy and force Stull into a passing game, which is not his specialty.
BY THE NUMBERS: The line has OSU the favorite by 3 points. For the season the Beavers are 8-4 ATS and 7-5 O/U. The Panthers are 6-6 ATS and 5-7 O/U. As an underdog PIT is 4-1 both SU and ATS while OSU is 6-2 SU and 5-3 ATS as a favorite. Pittsburgh comes to El Paso after an impressive victory while Oregon State limps in after a crushing and embarrassing defeat. The match-up of NFL-like teams should be a good one.