Oct. 30, 1999

Final Stats

PULLMAN, Wash. - Sore-ribbed Ken Simonton came off the bench to score two second-half touchdowns and help make Dennis Erickson's return to Pullman a success as Oregon State beat Washington State 27-13 on Saturday.

Oregon State (5-3, 2-3 in the Pacific 10) had not won in Pullman since 1978. Erickson - who coached Washington State in 1987-88 and was making his first visit here as an opposing coach - has the Beavers one win away from their first winning season since 1970.

Washington State (2-6, 1-4) managed to contain the second-ranked offense in the nation in the first half with Simonton on the bench.

Simonton, leading rusher in the Pac-10, did not play until the third quarter as Erickson tried to give his bruised ribs time to heal. But with OSU's offense stalling, Simonton became a key part of two long drives that buried the Cougars.

Oregon State scored on its first possession on Antonio Battle's 1-yard burst up the middle. The score was set up by Imani Percoats' 59-yard reception from Jonathan Smith.

Deon Burnett fumbled on WSU's next possesion, with Darnell Robinson recovering on the Cougars' 27. But the Beavers had to settle for Ryan Cesca's 22-yard field goal.

Washington State marched down the field on the next series, but the drive stalled and Rian Lindell kicked a 32-yard field to make the score 10-3.

Cesca's 25-yard field goal early in the second quarter gave OSU a 13-3 lead. The Cougars then stopped OSU twice and got the ball around midfield both times. But all they got was Lindell's 50-yard field goal to cut the Beavers' lead to 13-6 at halftime.

Oregon State was held to just 47 yards in the second quarter.

Simonton entered on OSU's second possession of the second half, carrying four times in the 80-yard drive. The last was a 2-yard touchdown run that lifted Oregon State to a 20-6 lead with 2:48 left in the third.

Smith's 25-yard pass to Martin Maurer was erased when Maurer fumbled on the tackle by Curtis Holden early in the fourth. Grady Emmerson recovered on the Cougars' 40 as the third ended. But the Cougars were forced to punt.

Simonton's 1-yard leap into the end zone capped a 71-yard drive with 7:30 left in the game, for a 27-6 Oregon State lead. The touchdown gave Simonton, only a sophomore, 168 career points, tied for first on OSU's all-time scoring list with Troy Bussanich.

Burnett added a late touchdown for the Cougars.

By NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS
Associated Press Writer