Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2002 | 9:44 a.m.
NEXT UP
What: UNLV at Oregon State
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Ore.
TV: TBS, Cox ch. 7
Radio: KBAD 920-AM
Line: Oregon State by 16
Oregon State tailback Steven Jackson has decided to switch his jersey number from 33 to 34 for his sophomore season.
"It's the number I had always worn since Pop Warner because it's the one Walter Payton wore," the former prep All-American from Eldorado High School said. "But when I got here it was already taken by James Allen."
Allen scored the winning touchdown for the New Orleans Saints with an interception in overtime against Tampa Bay on Sunday. Though Jackson picked the number because of his admiration for Payton, it is a couple of other NFL stars the powerful 6-foot-1, 226-pounder finds himself compared to these days.
"(Jackson) can get it done with quickness and power, reminding some observers of a young Eddie George," ESPN.com draftnik Mel Kiper Jr. wrote recently.
Others have compared the muscular Jackson and his dreadlocked hair to former Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams.
"It's humbling that people would think of me in that way," Jackson said following practice on Monday. "They're both power backs who do what I'd like to do one day ... play in the NFL."
Jackson has had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games for the Beavers this season, including a 25-carry, 117-yard outing in Oregon State's 35-3 victory at Temple last week. He'll try to make it three in a row on Saturday afternoon at Reser Stadium when the Beavers (2-0) host UNLV (1-1) in a nationally televised game.
Jackson, who strongly considered UNLV and Arizona State before picking the Beavers two years ago, said he will have about a dozen friends and relatives in from Las Vegas for the game.
"I circled that game two years ago when I committed to Oregon State," he admitted. "It's going to be really exciting for me and my friends and my family. I can't wait for Saturday to get here."
How close did Jackson come to playing for the Rebels?
"They made it really hard on me," Jackson said. "They told me I could come in and compete for the starting job as a true freshman. But I just kind of had a better feeling about Oregon State. When I made that decision, it was very hard to call and tell (UNLV)."
Still, Jackson has no regrets. He quickly moved into the Beavers' running back rotation as a true freshman last year, splitting time with preseason Heisman Trophy candidate Ken Simonton and senior Patrick McCall. He finished with 390 yards rushing and five touchdowns, including three TDs in Oregon State's 49-24 upset of eighth-ranked Washington.
Jackson also was named Oregon State's Player of the Game by ABC after he rushed for 119 yards on 16 carries in the Beavers' 16-13 overtime loss at USC and had a 63-yard touchdown run in OSU's loss to UCLA.
"He's a big, strong running back who is kind of in the mold of (Colorado State's) Cecil Sapp," UNLV defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson said. "He's got good speed and he can make you miss or just run over you. He's as good a back as we'll probably see."
Little wonder then that when a Corvallis reporter asked Beavers head coach Dennis Erickson this summer if he was worried about replacing all-time leading rusher Simonton at tailback, Erickson replied: "You saw Steven Jackson play. Would you be worried?"
Still, Erickson offered a challenge to his young star.
"We'll have to see what happens when he has to be the guy all the time," Erickson said. "It's easy to come in when a guy like Simonton kind of loosens up the defense for you."
Jackson said he added about 15 pounds of muscle in the weight room during the off-season.
"I spent the summer getting ready for the pounding," he said. "I know it's going to be a long season and in a conference like the Pac-10 you have to stay healthy and be ready to play in the big games down the stretch. And playing in a single-back offense like we run, you're not going to hide from any defenses."
After 46 carries totaling 258 yards in his first two games, Jackson says he is feeling good.
"Right now I'm very energetic and I'm kind of getting impatient," he said. "I just can't wait to get out there and play Saturday against UNLV."
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