Oct. 2, 1999

Game Stats

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
Associated Press Writer

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) - Steve Birnbaum threw for two touchdowns and ran for one as Washington State beat California 31-7, breaking a school-record 12-game losing streak.

Washington State (1-4 overall, 1-2 Pac-10) scored 17 consecutive points in a second-quarter eruption and won for the first time since beating Idaho last September. Washington State's last Pac-10 victory was over Washington in 1997.

California (2-2, 1-1) managed only 174 yards in the game, and the Bears' only touchdown was scored by the defense on a fumble return. California hasn't won at Pullman since 1979, nine consecutive losses.

Freshman quarterback Kyle Boller, making his second start for California, completed 13 of 33 passes for 116 yards.

Birnbaum completed 23 of 38 passes for 227 yards as Washington State had its highest scoring output of the season.

After a scoreless first quarter, Washington State erupted for 17 consecutive points within 3 1/2 minutes of the second quarter.

Freshman Collin Henderson took a pass behind the line of scrimmage from Birnbaum and sprinted 18 yards for a 7-0 lead with 9:45 left in the first half.

Rian Lindell's short kickoff was fielded and fumbled by Cal's Fa'avae Fa'avae and Washington State's Jeremy Thielbahr recovered at the Cal 30. That set up Lindell's 40-yard field goal.

Nick Harris' punt was blocked by Washington State's Mory Banks and freshman Wendell Smith recovered at the Cal 11. Three plays later, Birnbaum scored from the 1 for a 17-0 lead with 6:15 left in the half.

California was held to minus-7 yards in the second quarter.

On the third play of the second half, Cal defensive tackle Jacob Waasdorp caused Birnbaum's fumble at the 25, then returned it for a TD to cut Washington State's lead to 17-7.

Birnbaum hit Marcus Williams on a 10-yard touchdown pass with 9:32 left in the game, capping a 96-yard drive that consumed the first 5 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter.

Deon Burnett, who gained 104 yards rushing, added a 24-yard scoring run.