The Oregon State football program no longer exists in the considerable shadow once cast by the 28-season streak of losing seasons it finally snapped in 1999.

As senior linebacker James Allen declared during last year's 23-13 thumping of Oregon at Reser Stadium, life has changed dramatically in Corvallis in the two years since legendary coach Dennis Erickson was hired to finish the rebuilding job begun by predecessors Jerry Pettibone and Mike Riley.

"That's how we do it over here in Corvallis," Allen said. "That's how we do it, world. We're coming. We're coming."

Minutes later, Beaver fans -- once demoralized by three decades of failure -- were celebrating their first Pacific-10 Conference championship, sharing it with Washington and Oregon.

Five weeks later, the more than 35,000 Beaver boosters who helped jam Sun Devil Stadium to capacity were celebrating OSU's ascension to the big time following its shockingly easy Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame.

Suffice it to say, the Beaver jokes have stopped in the wake of an 11-1 season, the 41-9 domination of Notre Dame and a No. 4 ranking in the final Associated Press poll. But the goal coming off a Fiesta Bowl triumph is the same as it was two years ago after the Beavers concluded their 28th consecutive losing season:

Sweep their non-conference games, and then compete for the Pac-10 championship.

No more of this "hope to get a winning record for the first time since any of the players were born." These Beavers have a two-year bowl streak going.

Setting up permanent residence in the penthouse will certainly be more difficult than the speedy elevator ride to the top. Ten full-time starters must be replaced, including the top four receivers, and a terrific pair of defensive ends.

Yet, Erickson's stable is far from depleted. He redshirted his entire 2000 high school recruiting class, he has numerous experienced backups who have played significant minutes the past two seasons, and he signed eight junior college players who should step right in as starters or key reserves.

Oregon State is set up the middle with center Chris Gibson, quarterback Jonathan Smith and tailbacks Ken Simonton and Patrick McCall. They're the cornerstones of an offense that racked up a school-record 400 points and scored 30 or more points in eight of its last nine games.

Simonton burnished his reputation as the Pac-10's marquee tailback in 2000 by gaining a career-best 1,559 yards and laying the groundwork for a possible dash to the Heisman Trophy this fall. Despite his diminutive 5-9, 181-pound frame, Simonton is incredibly resilient (802 career rushes) and has not missed a game in three seasons.

He again will benefit tremendously from the presence of McCall, who in 2000 gained 658 yards as Simonton's understudy in his first year at OSU since transferring from Michigan.

Smith is one of the conference's most efficient quarterbacks despite being just 5-foot-11. He's 19-8 as a starter, led the Beavers to bowl games in 1999 and 2000 and has thrown for 7,253 yards and 41 touchdowns with a meager 19 interceptions in 944 passes.

The wide receiver and tight end positions must be completely overhauled. JC transfer Andre Cyrus could provide an instant big-play dimension if he qualifies academically. Holdovers James Newson, Shawn Kintner and Seth Trimmer must progress.

On the offensive line, Oregon State had hoped to have senior right guard Keith DiDomenico, who planned to return after redshirting a season for personal reasons. But he came out academically short over the summer, ending his career. DiDomenico, an honorable mention all-league player in 1999, would have been a major addition to a unit that lost three starters.

Gibson was a third-team All-American in 2000, his first season as a full-time starter. Senior Vincent Sandoval, at left tackle this year following three seasons on the right side, is dependable.

Junior kicker Ryan Cesca, a first-team Pac-10 all-star is back to try to improve on his 14-for-17 showing on field goals.

Defensively, the Beavers must replace "The Presidents," tenacious, quick two-year starting ends DeLawrence Grant and LaDairis Jackson. Senior three-year letterman Kyle Rosselle and touted JC transfer Alvin Steen are the probable successors.

Junior Eric Manning is a mainstay at left defensive tackle and sophomore Dwan Edwards shone in a reserve role last fall. Linebacking is solid with sophomore standout Richard Seigler in the middle and senior standout James Allen a on the weak side.

Junior Nick Barnett is a two-year spot player who should succeed the departed Darnell Robinson on the strong side.

The secondary will be formidable, led by junior corner Dennis Weathersby (one of the best cover men in the country) and senior safety Calvin Carlyle, who is so effective in coverage that he played some corner in the spring.

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