Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2004
The 1964 season marked Oregon State's return to a conference schedule after spending five seasons as an independent. the Beavers went 8-3 overall and 3-1 in the Athletic Association of Western Universities, earning the nod over co-champion Southern California for the conference's berth in the Rose Bowl. In Pasadena, OSU fell 34-7 to fourth-ranked Michigan on Jan. 1, 1965.
The Beavers lost their season-opener at Northwestern before capturing seven straight victories over Colorado, Baylor, Washington, Idaho, Syracuse, Washington State and Indiana to climb to No. 16 in the national rankings. The first four of those wins were all by a touchdown or less, including victories of 9-7 over Washington in Portland and 10-7 over Idaho in Corvallis. The win streak ended with a 16-7 loss at Stanford.
Oregon State then greeted Oregon for the Civil War; the Ducks were ranked 17th in the nation and had Rose Bowl hopes of their own. Booker Washington's touchdown - the first of his career - and Steve Jones' extra point with 54 seconds remaining enabled OSU to defeat the Ducks 7-6. Al East's block of an Oregon extra point attempt in the second quarter proved to be the difference.
Washington and Dick Ruhl served as the team captains. Linebacker Jack O'Billovich earned All-Coast honors and defensive back Dan Espalin and offensive tackle Rich Koeper were all-conference selections. Espalin was also selected the team's Most Valuable Player. O'Billovich went on to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl.
Halfback Cliff Watkins earned the team's Most Improved Player award, guard Al Funston was the Attitude and Scholarship award recipient and quarterback Paul Brothers was the Rookie of the Year.
