With spring football drills underway, season ticket sales over 22,000, and fever beginning to build for the fall, it might be a good time to recall one of the great Beaver football upsets of the past 50 years, in a tribute to a game played in Portland that doesn't often get a lot of attention.

The year was 1949, the opponent Michigan State. This was one of their best teams ever, ranked No. 8 in the country, and favored by a whopping three touchdowns over a scrappy 5-3 Oregon State College eleven led by coach Kip Taylor.

In the beginning, it looked as if all the experts had called it right by making the Spartans such heavy favorites. Two quick touchdowns and Taylor's boys were down 13-0. It was a "stomp" in the making.

Above: Coach Kip Taylor's team was a three touchdown underdog to the Michigan State Spartans in 1949. Top right: Quarterback Gene Morrow's late pass to Dick Gray (bottom right) was good enough for the winning score. Photos from The Beaver, 1950.

But early in the second quarter, OSC's Kenny Carpenter began to take over, scampering the last few yards for a touchdown to cap an impressive 59-yard drive. Score, 13-7.

The Beavers received the kickoff to start the second half and again it was Carpenter thrilling the crowd with big plays and a touchdown to give the Orange a chance for a 14-13 lead.

But the extra point was missed and the points stayed an even 13. Still, Taylor felt his team had a chance to pull a surprise. Spartan ball.

Playing inspired defense, Oregon State stopped MSU cold. A Stan McGuire 40-yard field goal gave OSC a 16-13 lead. But MSU could do nothing with its turn on offense and McGuire blocked their punt attempt to give OSC a safety and an 18-13 lead.

It was time for Len Chandoise, the All-American running back for the Spartans, to show his stuff. And he did, scoring a TD to push his team in front 20-18. Yet, OSC refused to cave in.

Quarterback Gene Morrow's passes sparked a drive and the one he tossed to Dick Gray was good enough for a score. A Stan McGuire boot gave OSC a 25-20 lead (final) and the victory. It was one of the big upsets of the '49 season.

However, for coach Tayor, his team, and Beaver fans everywhere, the year would end with great sadness, and would involve, of all people, one of the heroes of the Spartan upset...Stan McGuire.

One of the heroes of the Spartan upset, Stan McGuire, lost his life in a car accident in 1950.

Named Lineman of the Week for his outstanding play against MSU, McGuire lost his life in a car accident later that winter. Honoring his memory, the team elected him permanent captain of the 1950 squad.

-- By George Edmonston Jr. and Chuck Boice