Oregon State
5-5 , 3-4
Northrn Arizona
8-3 , 5-2
Simonton, Beavers Break N. Arizona, 45-10
November 17, 2001 | Football
Nov 17, 2001
By LANDON HALL
AP Sports Writer
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Jonathan Smith broke the Oregon State career passing yardage record, throwing for 281 yards and three touchdowns as the Beavers routed Division I-AA Northern Arizona 45-10 Saturday.
Smith, a senior who walked on in 1997 and helped transform a perennial loser into a Fiesta Bowl champion, needs 110 yards to move past John Elway into third place on the Pac-10 career list.
Ken Simonton added 151 yards rushing for the Beavers (5-5), who have recovered from a 1-3 start. They still must win at No. 7 Oregon in the Civil War on Dec. 1 to become eligible for a third straight bowl, and to avoid giving Dennis Erickson his second losing season in 16 years as a college head coach.
Northern Arizona (8-3) was badly overmatched, but the Lumberjacks might beat Oregon State to the postseason. They're 5-2 in the Big Sky, and likely will earn an at-large berth in the 16-team I-AA playoffs when the pairings are announced next Sunday.
Smith needed 247 yards to break the school passing mark, set by Erik Wilhelm between 1985-88. Smith surpassed it on a 31-yard pass to James Newson in the third quarter that made the score 38-0.
Smith also eclipsed Wilhelm's school record of 51 career touchdown passes. Smith has 54, to go along with 8,961 yards.
Wilhelm greeted Smith with a high-five as he came off the field, and the sellout crowd gave Smith an ovation that didn't begin to cover all that the 5-foot-11 overachiever has accomplished for the program.
The Beavers were 3-8 the year Smith redshirted, but they're 24-13 with him as the starter. Last year he helped the team win a school-record 11 games and defeat Notre Dame 41-9 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Simonton reached his own milestone Saturday. With the 6-yard gain on his first carry, he moved past Marcus Allen into second place on the all-time Pac-10 list. He has 4,960 yards, record-holder Charles White is far out of reach at 6,245 yards.
Simonton needs 113 yards to become the first Pac-10 player - and fifth in NCAA history - to gain 1,000 yards four times.
It took Oregon State just 1:21 to take a 7-0 lead. Smith lobbed a strike over the middle to Seth Trimmer for a 56-yard score.
Simonton ran for a 17-yard touchdown, and backup tailback Steven Jackson scored from 6 yards out. Smith and Newson then connected on a 42-yard touchdown, with Newson diving full-out for the pass.
Newson, who had seven catches for a career-high 190 yards, made another spectacular play on Smith's last touchdown. With two defenders nearby, Newson kept his feet in at the back of the end zone and hauled in the high-arcing throw.
The Lumberjacks' only touchdown came in the third quarter, when Roy Holmes returned a fumble 8 yards. But Jackson took the kickoff back 89 yards for the score and a 45-7 lead.
Team Stats
NAU 0, OSU 7
OSU - TRIMMER, Seth 56 yd pass from SMITH, Jonathan (CESCA, Ryan kick) plays, yards, TOP
NAU 0, OSU 14
OSU - SIMONTON, Ken 17 yd run (YLINIEMI, Kirk kick), plays, yards, TOP
NAU 0, OSU 21
OSU - JACKSON, Steven 6 yd run (YLINIEMI, Kirk kick), plays, yards, TOP
NAU 0, OSU 28
OSU - NEWSON, James 42 yd pass from SMITH, Jonathan (YLINIEMI, Kirk kick) plays, yards, TOP
NAU 0, OSU 31
OSU - YLINIEMI, Kirk 21 yd field goal plays, yards, TOP
NAU 0, OSU 38
OSU - NEWSON, James 31 yd pass from SMITH, Jonathan (YLINIEMI, Kirk kick) plays, yards, TOP
NAU 7, OSU 38
NAU - Roy Holmes 8 yd fumble recovery (Ty Dondelinger kick)
NAU 7, OSU 45
OSU - JACKSON, Steven 89 yd kickoff return (YLINIEMI, Kirk kick)
NAU 10, OSU 45
NAU - Ty Dondelinger 44 yd field goal plays, yards, TOP
