Beavers Lose Another Rodgers

By WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

Saturday’s Civil War loss to Oregon was bad enough for Oregon State, as it will keep the Beavers out of the Rose Bowl. OSU already was playing without injured RB Jacquizz Rodgers, and the club lost his brother, sophomore flanker James Rodgers, on 27-yard gain on a sweep in the fourth quarter of the Ducks’ 65-38 victory.

Wherever the Beavers end their season, James Rodgers won’t be there, as he suffered a broken collarbone on the play and is finished for 2008.

“It’s too bad,” Oregon State coach Mike Riley said of Rodgers, who rushed for 56 yards on seven carries and returned seven kickoffs for a 22.7-yard average against the Ducks. “James has had a great year. He made a ton of plays for us, and I hate for him to have to miss the bowl game. He has a lot of football left for us, though. He’ll have plenty of time to heal and will be fine for next season.”

James Rodgers is the team’s No. 2 rusher and No. 2 pass-catcher. Riley suspected there was something wrong when Rodgers lay on the turf for a few seconds, then got up slowly.

“We knew it wasn’t good because he didn’t get back in,” Riley said. “I know he wanted to. They had to take his helmet away from him. He didn’t have any strength in his arm, but he wanted to play.”



OSU seems likely to play in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 in El Paso, Texas. The Beavers’ potential opponent is No. 23 Pittsburgh of the Big East.

The prognosis is better for Jacquizz Rodgers, who missed the Civil War with a left shoulder sprain. The Pacific-10 Conference’s leading rusher is expected to start at tailback in whatever bowl game the Beavers play.

“Let’s don’t say that yet but we’re heading that way,” Riley said. “My guess is he’ll feel better every day.”

If it’s Pitt, that could mean a very nice duel with Panthers star RB LeSean McCoy.

Bet on Oregon State