Beavers quarterback Moore has interception-free streak

EL PASO, Texas -- Last year, Matt Moore had almost twice as many interceptions as touchdown passes.

His streak of 161 consecutive passes without getting one picked off this season -- the longest active streak in the NCAA -- has been a key to No. 24 Oregon State's turnaround tale.

"If we were going to be the type of team that we wanted to be, I think a lot of it had to do with my play," Moore said Wednesday. "So, it was huge just to feel more comfortable, putting the ball where it needs to be and not throwing interceptions.

"I think obviously things changed from last year and that's why we're going for 10 wins."

Oregon State (9-4) has won seven of eight heading into the Sun Bowl on Friday against Missouri (8-4). The Beavers beat then-No. 24 Hawaii in their regular-season finale, and earlier in the surge they knocked off Southern California.

During that stretch Moore has completed 63 percent of his passes with 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

It's a huge change from last season, when the Beavers went 5-6 and Moore had only 11 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions.

"It's kind of the progression of quarterbacking in some regard," OSU coach Mike Riley said. "I think Matt was always a willing worker and tremendously productive, and he just needed to make a few different decisions."