5 Players to Watch
Jonathan Smith, 6th season (32-33) 6-2, 3-2
Pac-12
Lost at Arizona, 27-24
No. 16 (AP); No. 19(Coaches); No. 16(College Football Playoff)
Leads the Beavers with 37 catches for 522yards and four touchdowns. He’s averaging 14.1 yards per catch. He’s also OSU’S punt and kickoff returner and has one punt return for touchdown.
Has a team-high 74tackles, along with three tackles for loss and two interceptions. He has 64tackles in the last six games.
Arguably the top running back in the Pac-12, he’s rushed for 763 yards and three touchdowns, while averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
Named preseason first-team Allpac-12, he’s posted 46 tackles, two tackles for loss, five pass breakups and one sack this season. He had 80tackles last year, earning all-conference honorable mention.
The Clemson transfer is having a nice year for the Beavers, throwing for 1,791 yards, 17 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He’s also rushed for 134 yards and five touchdowns.
Oregon State offense
At 36.4 points per game, the Beavers are enjoying one of the most prolific seasons in their history on offense. It starts with the run game, with Damien Martinez and Deshaun Fenwick forming a talented one-two punch. They’ve combined for 1,060 yards and seven touchdowns. QB DJ Uiagalelei has upgraded the passing attack for the Beavers, with three main targets: receivers Silas Bolden and Anthony Gould and tight end Jack Velling. OSU’S 6.9 yards per play is on pace to shatter the program record of 6.4 (2021).
Oregon State defense
Last year, the Beavers led the Pac-12in scoring defense and despite several new players, they haven’t taken much of a step back. They rank sixth in allowing 21.1 points per game, but that’s only 1.1 more per game than last year. There aren’t many stars on defense but they work well together. The Beavers rank in the top half the Pac-12 in most major statistically categories, including fourth against the pass.
Oregon State special teams
Atticus Sappington has had a great year for the Beavers to this point, making 9-of10field goal attempts, with a long of 48. He’s also 36-of-36on extra points. Punter Josh Green has been solid, averaging 40.9 yards and putting nearly half of his 23 punts inside the 20. Bolden handles the return duties and he’s a threat to break one at any time.
How Oregon State can win
One of the most physical teams in the Pac-12, if the Beavers flex their muscle and out-physical the Buffs, they’ll win. The OSU run game can be dangerous and when it gets going, the Beavers are difficult to beat. Win the trenches and avoid big mistakes, such as turnovers, and the Beavers should be in good shape.
Beavers notables
• In the last three seasons, the Beavers are 14-9 in Pac-12 play, but they have been much better at home. They are 10-1 at home and 4-8in Pac-12road games since the start of 2021.
• Tight end Jack Velling has already set a singleseason OSU record for touchdown receptions by a tight end, with eight. He has racked up eight scores on only 21catches.
•Through eight games, Oregon State’s defense has produced 26quarterback sacks, which is already six more than all of last year.
• The Beavers are bowl eligible for the third consecutive season. That’s the longest stretch for the program since a four-year run of bowls from 2006-09.
• For the first time in program history, OSU has been ranked among the Top 25for each of the first 10 Associated Press Top 25 polls of the season.