By The Associated Press

Published: Saturday, November 10, 2012, 9:12 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, November 10, 2012

STANFORD, Calif. — Stanford coach David Shaw fought back tears. Running back Stepfan Taylor's voice trembled. Linebacker Alex Debniak's eye black smeared all over his face.

In the home locker room at Stanford Stadium late Saturday afternoon, these were the emotions from surviving Senior Day and the possibility to host one more game this season.

Redshirt freshman Kevin Hogan threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns in his first collegiate start, and No. 16 Stanford overcame four turnovers to rally past No. 13 Oregon State, 27-23, on Saturday and stay in control of its Pac-12 title hopes.

“They came back and made some plays to help us win the game,” Shaw said. “Almost Shakespearean, to a certain degree.”

Oregon State quarterback Cody Vaz fumbled late in the fourth quarter to give the Cardinal (8-2, 6-1) the ball at the Beavers 29. The only Oregon State (7-2, 5-2) turnover turned out to be the difference.

Hogan audibled out of a run and called the play “Special,” which Stanford also ran to convert a fourth-and-9 in an overtime win against Arizona earlier this season, and hit tight end Zach Ertz for a 13-yard touchdown to make it 27-23 with 5:07 left.

Now the Cardinal will head to No. 2 Oregon next in what could be a North Division final.

The Beavers, who haven't played in the Rose Bowl since 1965, had their BCS and Pac-12 title hopes severely damaged.

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