ANOTHER SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS : OREGON STATE SCORNED AFTER LOSS TO MONTANA.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

The eternal smile on school mascot Benny Beaver's face guarantees that Oregon State always has at least one happy supporter.

But you could find few others around Corvallis, Ore., this week as the Pacific-10 Conference's version of the 98-pound weakling appears to be drinking SlimFast.

How else to explain a stunning 35-14 loss at home to Montana, a Division I-AA team?

Even by Oregon State's modest standards, this is cause for some soul-searching and some pointed questions about the future of coach Jerry Pettibone.

``It's difficult for me to imagine what happened,'' Pettibone said of the opening loss. ``I really felt we were ready to play.''

By losing to Montana, which plays Cal State Northridge on Nov. 2, the Beavers are also drawing scrutiny about playing in the Pac-10, especially when they must face an opponent like USC on Saturday.

``Well that's insulting,'' Oregon State defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall said. ``Any time a program's not successful, there's a ton of questions that come up like that. It makes me mad when I hear that.''

Perhaps, but history has a way of demonstrating that Oregon State is in for a long season, and that was before it lost to Montana.

Since 1971, the Beavers are 30-153-5 against Pac-10 opponents - a span of five coaches, three athletic directors and three university presidents.

The current target of criticism is Pettibone. Originally, he appeared to be making progress, posting back-to-back 4-7 seasons in 1993-94. But the Beavers stumbled through a 1-10 season last year.

Pettibone, 11-43-1 in five-plus seasons, isn't facing the heat of Illinois coach Lou Tepper, who lost last week to USC, but some wonder if he could survive another one-win season.

``We've got some quality players who start for us and some good backups, but we don't have enough of them,'' Pettibone said.

In an attempt to improve recruiting, Oregon State is building a $5.5 million expansion to its football facilities, including upgraded locker rooms and a new weight room. This is viewed as a small but important step.

But until the Beavers actually start winning, the doubters control the debate.

And the players try to find ways to explain their disappointment.

One unique explanation of the Montana loss came from running back Akili King, a highly regarded transfer from Army.

``It was one of those days,'' King said. ``In the military, not every mission goes right. You lose a couple of men here and there, and that's what happened.''

Cornerback Marc Williams, one player considered good enough to start for almost any Pac-10 team, has heard all of the comments and tried to figure out a solution to the Beavers' misfortune.

``We know we'll get bashed by a lot by people around the nation when they see that score,'' Williams said. ``It hurts to hear that (we don't belong in the Pac-10).

``I came to Oregon State to help find an answer. In the past and still now, when we get down in a game, we let up. It's like `It happened before, we lost before. It's no big deal.' ''

Nothing figures to change much this weekend. No team has dominated the Beavers like USC, which hasn't lost to Oregon State since 1967, a span of 22 games.

As for Pettibone, athletic director Dutch Baughman has said he will quit before firing Pettibone. It makes sense, since Baughman showed unusual restraint before finally firing basketball coach Jim Anderson two years ago.

There is some speculation that a change would have to come from school president Paul Risser, an outsider hired in January from Miami of Ohio.

The Beavers have already had some shake-ups. Denny Schuler was hired as offensive coordinator and immediately scrapped Pettibone's wishbone offense for a more pass-oriented version of the option.

Schuler, a former assistant with Oregon and California, is the only assistant on the staff with a two-year contract.

He needs the time apparently, because scoring 14 points against Montana was a less-than-inspiring debut.

No matter how much the Beavers struggle, the reality is they will remain in the Pac-10. They would not be allowed to play football in one conference and every other sport in the Pac-10.

So the only alternative is to get better.

``I'm really frustrated,'' Williams said. ``Some people feel Oregon State football will never get back to where it used to be. . . . but a lot of these guys could have gone to Nebraska or Penn State or even USC.''

OUT OF THEIR LEAGUE?

Oregon State has struggled in the Pacific-10 Conference for years. A few facts since 1971:

Conference record: 30-153-5

Record vs. USC: 0-19

Overall record: 55-227-6

Coaches: 5

Athletic directors: 3

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