Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003 | 9:45 a.m.
Much of the focus heading into tonight's Las Vegas Bowl matchup between Oregon State and New Mexico has centered around the team's two star running backs, Steven Jackson and DonTrell Moore.
It's easy to see why. Jackson, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound Eldorado High graduate who had led the Pac-10 in rushing for two consecutive seasons, is considered a potential first-round NFL pick if he decides to bypass his senior year. Moore, a talented sophomore who led the Mountain West Conference in rushing, all-purpose yards and scoring, could very well have that same decision to make in another year.
But it may be the play of the starting quarterbacks, Oregon State junior Derek Anderson and New Mexico senior Casey Kelly, that could have a bigger role in deciding the winner of tonight's contest at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Both teams have defenses that have excelled in stopping the run. And both teams have been vulnerable to strong passing attacks during the season.
Enter 6-foot-6 Anderson, who has an NFL-caliber arm but has been erratic much of his career, and 6-foot-3 Kelly, a Portland, Ore., native and former walk-on known more for his running and leadership abilities.
"Yeah, it just might come down to that," Oregon State coach Mike Riley said Tuesday. "That's the way it has been for us. We've seen a lot of stacked boxes with Steven Jackson. New Mexico will do that anyway with the defense they play. We've had to throw the ball effectively to win."
And when the Beavers have beaten such teams as Boise State, California and Arizona State this year, they have thrown the ball effectively.
In Oregon State's seven victories, Anderson has completed 134 of 238 passes for 2,075 yards, 16 touchdowns and just seven interceptions while getting sacked eight times. But in the Beavers' five losses, Anderson has completed just 106 of 239 attempts for 1,661 yards and six touchdowns while throwing 16 interceptions and getting sacked 23 times.
"It's been a very, very big point each game to be balanced offensively," Riley said. "If we don't have the other part of the game, then opponents can stack the box against the run and we can be in trouble."
Anderson is coming off a school-record performance against No. 1-ranked USC at the Coliseum. He threw for 485 yards and two touchdowns in the 52-28 loss, but also was intercepted four times.
"They're certainly not one-dimensional," New Mexico coach Rocky Long said. "That makes them very, very difficult to contain them.
"They had more than 500 yards (543) against a USC defense that is one of the best in the country. Anderson is huge and he throws it very well. And he has some guys who can go and catch it, too."
Kelly, like Anderson, had his best passing game of the year in a loss.
Kelly completed 23 of 38 passes for 408 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-35 home loss to UNLV. The 408 yards were the most by a Lobos quarterback in nine years and sixth all-time in school history. But he also was intercepted three times, including one that was returned 62 yards for a touchdown by Jamaal Brimmer.
Kelly adds some balance to the New Mexico attack with his running, especially on the option, which has caught the eye of the Beavers. He rushed 100 times for 258 yards and one touchdown this season and has nine rushing touchdowns in his career.
"I think there's a strong possibility (that quarterback play will decide the outcome)," Long said.
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