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Sunday, December 15, 2002

By Shelly Anderson, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Steven Jackson has some interesting life stories for someone 19 years old.

He grew up in Las Vegas, with both parents working in casinos, and soaked up the fast life. He chose Oregon State for college and has learned about life at a much more leisurely pace. He aspires to be an architect, keeps a notebook of ideas and knows exactly what his dream house would -- or will -- look like.

For the immediate future, Jackson has designs on Pitt. Specifically, the Pacific-10 Conference rushing champion for 2002 wants to bull his way through another defense when Oregon State (8-4) plays the Panthers (8-4) in the Insight Bowl Dec. 26 at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix.

The Beavers use a spread offense long employed by Coach Dennis Erickson. With a standard look of three or four receivers and no fullback, defenses can key almost solely on Jackson when Oregon State runs the ball.

"I'm usually the only one in the backfield, so there's no surprise who's going to run the ball," Jackson said.

That hasn't held him back. Jackson, a 6-foot-2, 224-pound sophomore, has gained 1,656 yards on 300 attempts this season, an average of 5.5 yards per carry, with 15 touchdowns. His average of 138 yards rushing per game ranks fifth in Division I. He also has 15 catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns.

He leads the Beavers in scoring with 102 points and set school season records in rushing and all-purpose yardage. He has rushed for at least 100 yards in a game nine times -- including the past five -- and has topped 200 yards three times.

"I believe I'm a well-rounded back," Jackson said. "I can come out of the backfield and catch the ball. I can also make you miss."

Jackson inherited the starting tailback job from Ken Simonton and broke Simonton's season rushing and all-purpose records.

"I learned a lot from him about what I'm doing this year -- let the game come to me, deal with the crowd on the road," Jackson said.

Jackson did well in football and in the classroom at Eldorado High School in Las Vegas, so it's no surprise he has continued to do well in both areas at Oregon State. There are a lot fewer distractions now.

"Vegas is just something where you get spoiled," Jackson said. "I'm used to everything being open 24 hours. That's the way of life out there. Everything's on the go, and everything's about money.

"Here, it's a different pace of life. That's a pretty popular question -- the way of life and how am I adjusting to it."

The adjustment to life in quiet Corvallis, Ore., wasn't as difficult as it might seem, Jackson said, because his parents always encouraged him to stay away from casinos and gambling even though they worked in the industry.

Steve Jackson is a casino pit manager. Brenda Jackson was a blackjack dealer before a recent switch to real estate.

Jackson seems on pace to have a pro football career, but he still wants to pursue architecture and is a pre-housing major. He is interested in residential housing, so it was suggested he and his mother could work together -- him building houses and her selling them.

"Jackson and Jackson," he said approvingly.

Jackson studies houses, whether it's what he sees in passing or on television, including celebrity digs on "MTV Cribs." He logs things he likes in his notebook.

"I really have a passion for it," he said. "I want to build my own house."

And what would that look like?

"A three-story house equipped with a movie theater, a nice game room and a nice big kitchen so I can have a big family," Jackson said.

Someday, maybe, but for now he's busy in the destruction field -- razing opposing defenses.