KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman running back Mike Bell will need to jump-start the Arizona running game to take pressure off the Wildcat passing game on the road this weekend at OSU.

Johnson tries to lead Cats to first Pac-10 win on Saturday

If the Wildcats want to climb out of the Pacific 10 Conference cellar, they better start tomorrow in Corvallis, Ore., against the Beavers.

Currently, Arizona (3-5, 0-4) is the only winless team in the Pac-10 and the Beavers could be the Wildcats' best remaining chance to get that first win.

"This is a must-win game," senior quarterback Jason Johnson said. "What our team needs is that actual victory ÷ no more moral victories. We need to win on the scoreboard. Once a team gets a win like that, especially on the road, it can give them a lot of momentum."

However, if you are in Tucson and want to watch the game, tomorrow's contest will not be televised live in Arizona, but will be shown Sunday on Fox Sports Net Arizona at 1:30 p.m. on tape delay.

The Wildcats will be looking to avoid starting 0-5 in the Pac-10 for the second-straight season. Arizona didn't get its first conference win last year until its ninth game, when it beat California 38-24 in Berkeley.

"It's going to be a tale of two cities," head coach John Mackovic said. "They are a run-oriented team and we are a pass-oriented team. They have a little bit of an advantage in that regard."

The Wildcats might also be looking for a little revenge for the last time they played the Beavers.

Last season in Corvallis, Oregon State (5-3, 1-3) jumped out to an early 14-0 lead behind two UA turnovers and cruised to a 38-3 win.

"Last year's low point was Oregon State," Johnson said. "The way that they handled us physically was very disappointing."

Where and When . . . UA at Oregon State Where: Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore. When: Saturday 2 p.m. MST TV: Tape delay Sunday at 1.30 p.m. on Fox Sports Net Radio: KNST 790 live Players to watch: UA's Bobby Wade, OSU's Dennis Weathersby

If the Wildcats want to escape Reser Stadium with a different result from last season, they will have to put together a better offensive performance. Arizona had only 11 first downs, 46 rushing yards and 159 passing yards in the teams' previous meeting.

Another big key in the weekend match-up will be the rushing attacks of both teams.

Last week, Oregon State allowed Cal to run for only 16 yards while amassing 301 rushing yards of its own.

"I expect they will come hard at us with the run," Mackovic said. "Our run defense has to match that."

A big part of the Beavers' success has been in large part due to the performance of sophomore running back Steven Jackson. Jackson is currently second in the Pac-10 in rushing yards with 1,004, and is only nine yards behind conference leader Onterrio Smith from Oregon.

"I look forward to (trying to stop their rushing attack)," senior linebacker Lance Briggs said. "Our whole defense looks for that kind of challenge."

The Wildcats are on the exact opposite side of the tracks in the rushing department.

Arizona is dead last in rushing yards per game, averaging a paltry 60 yards per game.

"Without a solid run game, we are forced to pass on other people's terms," Johnson said. "We aren't going to get away from the run game, and hopefully we can get it going."

Both teams' defenses will play a huge role in Saturday's outcome.

Oregon State is ranked second in the Pac-10 in total defense, allowing only 315 yards per game, and is first in points allowed, giving up fewer than 18 points a game.

"They are a really strong defensive team," said Mackovic. "They are hard and physical up front and really tough."

Senior cornerback Dennis Weathersby has played a huge role in the Beavers' defensive success and will most likely draw the duties of trying to shut down Arizona senior receiver Bobby Wade.

Wade is the current leader in the Pac-10 in receptions per game, receiving yards and all-purpose yards. He is coming off a nine-catch performance against Washington State last week, which brought his career total up to 204 catches. That is good enough for fifth on the Pac-10's all-time list.

"We have to get the maximum effort defensively and be able to compete with them offensively," Mackovic said.