Oregon State running back doubtful for Civil War
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) -Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers is doubtful for Saturday's Civil War game against Oregon because of a shoulder injury.
A Rose Bowl bid is on the line for the No. 17 Beavers (8-3, 7-1 Pac-10) in the annual rivalry game against the Ducks (8-3, 6-2), but Rodgers, the Pac-10's leading rusher, could be watching from the sidelines.
''We're not going to put him at risk in this game,'' coach Mike Riley said during a conference call with reporters.
Rodgers, a freshman, injured his shoulder on Oregon State's second possession last Saturday against Arizona. The Beavers went on to win 19-17 on a field goal in the final seconds.
Riley characterized the injury as a second-degree sprain and said Rodgers was ''very doubtful'' for the Civil War, although a final decision about his status would come later this week after talking to him and the team's doctors.
''We'll be very conservative with that,'' Riley said.
Rodgers averages 123.3 rushing yards a game, which ranks 12th in the nation. He has rushed for 11 touchdowns and has already set a Pac-10 freshman rushing record.
Oregon State and No. 5 USC lead the Pac-10 with one conference loss each. However, because the Beavers defeated the Trojans 27-21 on Sept. 25, they hold the tiebreaker for the Rose Bowl berth. They are 3-point home favorites Saturday. An Oregon State victory over the Ducks on Saturday would set up a New Year's Day game against No. 6 Penn State in Pasadena. The Nittany Lions defeated the Beavers 45-14 earlier this season.