CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Oregon State football team used a backward approach to its game with Hawai'i yesterday.

The Beavers usually like to establish the running game before opening up its passing offense.

To beat Hawai'i, 45-7, they passed first, and ran the ball later.

"We were able to get behind their linebackers," Oregon State quarterback Lyle Moevao said of the initial plan. "The running game (itself) did a great job of establishing the run later on. It wasn't hard for me to go play-action and throw behind them, and then our running game had a big effect on them later on."

Moevao completed 20 of 34 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Seven receivers caught passes.

Moevao found Shane Morales for an 8-yard score to open the second quarter, and then ended the half with a 15-yard touchdown toss to Sammie Stroughter.

The big blow came in the third quarter with a 56-yard touchdown pass to James Rodgers. It was a short toss, but Rodgers juked one defender and broke another tackle on the way to the end zone.

"We had a lot of good plays out there, even though there were a few we missed," Moevao said. "Our offense did a really good job. That defense is very disruptive. The offensive line, running backs and receivers were able to handle that, and it makes my job a lot easier."

Once the passing game was in rhythm, the Beavers handed the ball to true freshman Jacquizz Rodgers. He pounded out 110 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries in three quarters.

"All the credit goes to all the guys up front," Rodgers said. "And the passing game started up early, so they had to respect the passing game, which opened the run game."

Between backup ball carriers and receivers running reverses and fly sweeps, the Beavers gained 217 yards rushing.

It reached the point where Oregon State could do whatever it wanted. The Beavers amassed 485 yards with an average of 5.6 yards a play.

"Hawai'i has a good defense, and I know they can get after a football team," OSU coach Mike Riley said. "It was about how we matched up with that."

The turning point for the OSU offense came in the first quarter. Hawai'i had scored on its first possession, while the Beavers had missed two field-goal attempts and were on the verge of a breakdown.

Oregon State received a short field that started on Hawai'i's 31-yard line thanks to a 43-yard punt return by Stroughter. Rodgers capped the short scoring drive with a 3-yard run.

"When they scored early, it was crucial we responded right away," Riley said. "They were fired up and we were on our heels. Our response was really good."