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CORVALLIS, Oregon (Ticker) -- Ken Simonton almost single-handedly helped Oregon State avoid a major upset. Simonton rushed for 200 yards and all three touchdowns on the way to becoming the school's all-time rushing leader as the Beavers held on for a 21-19 victory over Division I-AA Eastern Washington in the season opener for both teams. The junior tailback, who carried 40 times, raised his career total to 2,714 yards, eclipsing Dave Schilling's previous mark of 2,552. He also set a Oregon State record with his 14th 100-yard rushing game. Coming off its first winning season since 1970, the Beavers found themselves in an unexpectedly tight game, nursing a 14-12 lead entering the final period. Simonton provided some breathing room with a 14-yard touchdown with 4:26 remaining, allowing Oregon State to withstand Fred Salanoa's eight-yard TD run just 50 seconds later. Salanoa completed 13-of-30 passes for 139 yards. The Beavers managed only a 7-3 halftime lead on Simonton's three-yard TD run with 4:23 remaining in the second period before going up 14-6 on Simonton's 14-yard scamper with 5:40 to play in the third quarter. Jesse Chatman's two-yard burst brought Eastern Washington within two just under two minutes later, but a crucial two-point conversion run failed, keeping the Beavers ahead. Jonathan Smith completed 13-of-29 for 132 yards for the Beavers, whose other three ballcarriers combined for minus-six yards on nine attempts. Eastern Washington faced its first Pac-10 conference opponent since 1908.
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