Oregon State coach Cory Hall sounded a little like Gary Andersen last night while venting after a 49-28 loss at Arizona.

It was the Beavers' worst performance since Andersen walked out and Hall became interim coach a little more than a month ago.

The OSU offense made a bid to get back into the game in the second half. But the Beavers never could stop an Arizona team that was en route to a school-record 534 yards rushing.

Hall was quoted by The O's Danny Moran expressing frustration at the inability of his defense to keep the Wildcats from exploiting the weak side. He went out of his way to say it wasn't players' fault, and he would become more hands-on with the defense.

Andersen quit on Oct. 9, two days after the Beavers' 38-10 loss at USC. He had made some cryptic public comments indicating dissatisfaction with his assistants, but was much more direct and biting in a series of text messages sent to John Canzano, columnist for The Oregonian/OregonLive.

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I've liked the way Hall rallied the team in the aftermath of Andersen's departure. But he is now 0-4 as the interim.

While it's not impossible to see Hall replacing Andersen as full-time head coach, I think he needs to win a game, maybe two, to boost his credentials.

The Beavers only have two left, their home finale Saturday against Arizona State and the Nov. 25 Civil War at Autzen Stadium.

Canzano wrote last week Hall would be open to staying as part of another head coach's staff.

Given the right combination of circumstances, that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Hall's energy, enthusiasm and charisma are assets.

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But a new coach should be free to pick his own assistants. If you hire somebody to fix a problem, it's important to give him the freedom to do it his way with his own people. No head coach worth his salt would take on the job any other way.

Maybe the best solution is to blow this thing up and start over.

In any case, I don't think it will be a quick fix. And if you can't sell immediate success to your fans, you have to sell hope. The Beavers sold hope with Andersen and got disaster instead.

The next hire will be critical.

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Veteran head coaches Les Miles and June Jones both have been floated as possible head-coaching possibilities for OSU. Each has reasons to recommend him.

Miles won a national championship and has a 141-55 record. Jones is guru of a wide-open, pass-friendly offense. He has local ties, having played at Grant High School and for Mouse Davis at Portland State. Both are 64.

Nobody is asking me. If somebody did, I would suggest a young, energetic coach on the way up, or a current head coach at an FCS program who has proven he can overcome recruiting and logistical disadvantages.

OK, more links:

The Daily Star's Greg Hansen: Over-achieving Arizona is the best story in college football.

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Hall vents after the OSU defense crumbles.

Wisconsin AD Barry Avarez has some disparaging things to say about Andersen, who was at Wisconsin before coming to OSU.

Khalil Tate and Arizona's ground game shred the Beavers.

Revenge tour continues for the Wildcats, who paste OSU.

Former starting quarterback Brandon Dawkins gets some time in Arizona's victory over the Beavers.

The Wildcats rush for 534 yards against OSU, a school record.

Arizona attempts one pass in the second half.

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Next Saturday's UO-Arizona kickoff will be at 4 p.m. in Autzen Stadium.

Former UO offensive coordinator Scott Frost is expected to be popular with coach search committees in the upcoming weeks.

The Merc's Jon Wilner looks at who is to blame for the decision that pre-empted the first quarter of the Stanford-Washington game on FS1 for the conclusion of a truck race.

John Blanchette for the Spokesman-Review: It was Luke Falk's homecoming, but Hercules Mata'afa is the home-wrecker.

Vince Grippi for the Spokesman-Review: Washington State's defense dazzles, and the Cougs do just enough on offense.

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Stefanie Loh of the Seattle Times: Coug it? Not this team, and not this time.

Brad Rock of the Deseret News: If Utah is going to renovate the stadium, why not renovate the football program too?

Kurt Kragthorpe of the Salt Lake Tribune: Don't blame the defense for Utah's latest November disappointment.

Luke Falk throws three TD passes in Rice-Eccles Stadium as WSU beats Utah.

Defense keeps the Cougs in control of the Pac-12 North.

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WSU's defense bails out the offense in the victory at Utah.

Turnovers bury Utah against the Cougs.

Utah can't overcome a turnover-prone offense.

Falk breaks former USC quarterback Matt Barkley's Pac-12 record for career TD passes.

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Falk gets another Pac-12 passing record in front of friends and family.

Falk has an emotional, postgame reunion with his high school coach.

Utah's defense stands tall in a losing effort.

Dylan Hernandez of the Seattle Times: As Colorado can tell you, USC quarterback Sam Darnold is geting better all the time.

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Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post: Darnold looks like the answer to the Denver Broncos' prayers.

Trojans beat Colorado, clinch the Pac-12 South and spark renewed playoff hopes.

USC holds on in Boulder, will play in the conference title game.

Ronald Jones runs into the USC record book.

In one game, Jones climbs past LenDale White, Reggie Bush and Mike Garrett on the school's career rushing list.

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Mistakes doom Colorado as the Buffaloes lose their home finale.

After losing to USC, Colorado looks at a bowl-or-bust scenario in the regular-season finale against Utah.

UCLA Bruins show they can't be counted out at home by outscoring Arizona State.

Josh Rosen and Jordan Lasley return to boost the Bruins.

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The Bruins keep their bowl hopes alive by turning back ASU.

The Sun Devils get a strong start, but can't finish at the Rose Bowl.

Beneath airplanes trailing banners calling for coach Jim Mora's job, UCLA dumps the Sun Devils.

Stanford running back Bryce Love and linebacker Bobby Okereke share more than a number.

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A check list of what went wrong for Washington in the loss to Stanford.

The Huskies have some things to clean up.

Cal takes a holistic approach to the bye week and Big Game prep.

More from the Daily Star's Hansen: Pac-12 attendance is sagging badly in both football and men's basketball (last item).

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After getting pounded by Missouri, Tennessee fires coach Butch Jones.

Brady Hoke takes over as Tennessee's interim.

Tough season costs Jones his job.

Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald: Why wait? Nebraska coach Mike Riley should be shown the door now.

Portland State's winless Vikings save their worst performance this season for their home finale.

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Wildcats smash hapless Portland State.

Vikings get walloped, falling behind 49-3 at halftime.

Playing angry, Eastern Washington knocks off North Dakota.

The links from Beaver Sports Now.

The links from Duck Sports Now.

-- Ken Goe

kgoe@oregonian.com | @KenGoe

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