California @ Oregon State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2009 ) Oregon State 31, California 14

The California Golden Bears have been dominant at home this season, but are still looking for their first road win.

They’ll try again Saturday at Oregon State, which is coming off a heartbreaking double-overtime loss. Cal sits at 4-3 overall, 2-2 in the Pac-10. The Beavers are 3-3, 2-1.

Cal quarterback Kevin Riley leads one of the nation’s most potent offensive units. The Bears average 34.7 points a game. Most of that damage, however, has been done in the friendly confines of Berkeley, Calif.

Cal scores an average of 47 points a game at home, just 18 on the road.

Riley, who has thrown for 1,345 yards and 13 touchdowns, will have a chance to excel Saturday against a defensive unit that ranks 93rd in points allowed.

Riley and the Bears rebounded from a disappointing performance against USC to beat Arizona State 50-17 last week. Riley threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns and Shane Vereen rushed for 91 yards. For his career, Vereen has run for more than 2,300 yards and 26 touchdowns.

California has reported no serious injuries.

The Beavers are coming off a 35-34 double-overtime loss at Washington. The Huskies’ Jake Locker threw a career-high five touchdown passes, including two in overtime to Jermaine Kearse.

When Oregon State scored a touchdown in the second overtime, cutting the deficit to one, coach Mike Riley opted to go for the win. Ryan Katz’s pass to Joe Halahuni fell incomplete on the two-point try.

Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 140 yards on 32 carries and three touchdowns in the loss. He also caught four passes for 49 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown. The Beavers were playing their first game since Rodgers’ brother, James, suffered a season-ending knee injury.

The loss snapped Oregon State’s two-game win streak, which included a victory at No. 16 Arizona.

Jacquizz Rodgers has been electric all season. He’s run for 621 yards and 10 touchdowns and figures to be featured more in the passing game now that his brother is out.

In addition to James Rodgers, Oregon State’s injury list includes tight end Brady Clark, who is battling a back problem and may not return this season.

Oregon State has won 9 of the last 11 meetings over Cal. The Bears' last win in the series came in 2006 when Cal won 41-13 on the road.