Oregon State Head Coach Jonathan Smith knows a bit about his Boise State opponent in Week 1 having worked as Quarterback’s coach for two years there under Chris Petersen. In his Media Day comments Coach Smith pointed out that he has a lot of returning players on both sides of the ball including their long snapper, punter and kicker. He’s looking for DeShaun Fenwick and Trey Lowe to be his mainstays on the ground but is hoping to improve their downfield game led by third year returning QB Chance Nolan who threw for 2,677 yards and 19 TD’s. TE Luke Musgrave returns along with Tre’Shaun Harrison at WR. The OL has three starters back—a group that was fourth in the nation last year in fewest tackles for loss allowed and seventh for sacks. Their pass rush struggled last year as did the secondary but with plenty of talent and some outstanding returning players they expect to improve in both aspects of the defense.
Although the end of the year was a disappointment with a loss in their first trip to a bowl in many years, during the regular season the Beavers beat the Trojans, the Huskies, the Sun Devils and the eventual PAC-12 Conference Champion Utah. Oregon State has improved every year under Smith and are hoping to get back to another bowl this year and come out with a win.
If Saturday was any indication they’re off to a good start in that regard as they conrolled all the scoring in the first half against Boise State with three TD’s and a field going into the break up 24-0. The Beavers gave them their first opportunity to come back when they threw an interception in their first possession after the half, but Boise State could only muster a field goal with the opportunity and Oregon State came back after holding the Bronco’s to a three-and-out with a field goal of their own to go up 27-3. Two plays later Boise State QB Talen Green, who came in to replace starter Hank Bachmeier, took off for one of his 2 rushing TD’s of the day, this one for 74 yards. After holding Oregon State to a three-and-out on their next possession Green ran one in again at the end of a six play 67 yard drive bringing them within ten, 27-17, with all but just two minutes of the 4th Qtr gone. But it would be too little to late as on their next possession Oregon State’s Jack Colletto scampered 41 yards into the end zone out of the Wildcat formation to go up 34-17. Even though there was more than 10 minutes left, an interception thrown by Boise State and subsequent drives by both teams that resulted in missed field goals resulted in no more scoring.
In the air Oregon connected on 15-of-24 for 292 yards, 2 TD’s and 2 picks. On the other side of the ball Boise State’s starter, Hank Bachmeier, connected on 4-of-8 for just 30 yards and two interceptions before being replaced by Talen Green who was 19-of-28 for 155 yards in the air, 1 interception, in addition to rushing 11 times for 102 yards and 2 TD’s. In spite of Green, the Beavers still rushed for more total yards and matched the points on the board. Without the turnovers the game could have been a lot closer as Boise State lost two fumbles and threw three interceptions. The teams were matched evenly in first downs at 17 a piece but the Beavers came out ahead in total yardage 470 to 311 in addition to having the fooball for eleven more minutes than their opponents.
Certainly areas to clean up, but Jonathan Smith had to be happy to get a win on the first week against a team that has proved to be quire formidable over the years. After the game he had this to say: “Defensively, really pleased with the effort, physicality on both sides of the ball, and tackling and running and playing with energy.” Regarding areas of concern the AP recap for ESPN put it this way; “The Beavers’ defense was superb in the first half, forcing four turnovers that were instrumental in building a big lead. Nolan, a returning starter at quarterback, displayed his big-play capability in the passing game, but he also was intercepted twice. Avoiding turnovers will be a priority for Nolan moving forward.” Another area Smith might want to look at before their next game is penalties as they were flagged 10 times for 100 yards. Oregon State hits the road next Saturday to take on an always scrappy Fresno State.