It wasn’t 400+ yards, nor did it put him on the list of the Top 10 QB’s in the nation where 4 other PAC-12 signal callers found themselves after Week-1, but Oregon State’s new starting QB Junior DJ Uiagalelei’s performance was plenty enough to lead the Beavers to a dominate 42-17 win on the road against San Jose State. Connecting on 80% of his passes Uiagalelei threw for 239 yards, 3 TD’s, no interceptions, and added two more scores while rushing six times in a stellar opening act from the former 5-star Clemson recruit and portal transfer. On the ground the Beavers rushed 35 times for 197 yards and 3 TD’s in all with Deshaun Fenwick picking up the other trip to the end zone.
Oregon State led all the way and held San Jose State to just three points through three quarters, by then having forged a 28-3 lead. The Spartans finally got it going a little in the 4th Qtr with 2 TD’s but the Beavers matched them point-for-point, even getting some help from a fumble that led to a 42-10 lead at the time. The Spartan’s signal caller who scored 3 TD’s against the Trojans in Week-0 connected on 18-of-32 for 143 yards but never found the end zone in this one. They did finally score in the air on a pass by Sophomore backup QB Jay Butterfield who was 7-of-9 for 80 yards and a 19 yard TD pass to Brandon Alvarez with time running out at the end of the game.
The Beavers stout run defense held the Spartans to just 56 yards on 22 attempts, although they did make it into the end zone early in the 4th Qtr. Oregon State out-paced San Jose State in 1st Downs, 27-20; total yards of offense, 473-279; were successful 2 of the 3 times they went for it on 4th down; and held about a four minute edge in time-of-possession. They had no interceptions or fumbles but did have too many unnecessary penalties at 9 for 85 yards.
The Spartan head coach Brent Brennan had this to say about Oregon State afterwards; “They have a fantastic football team. They’re sound in all three phases, extremely sound. They play a unique brand of football. They’re incredibly physical. In the days when everyone is spreading you out and throwing it 60 times a game, they’re kind of the opposite of that.” Up next for the Beavers is their home opener and according to the Sport’s Business Journal; “The latest iteration of Reser Stadium will make its debut on Saturday for Oregon State’s game against UC Davis, as the west side’s $161M remodel is complete and ready for business. A project that physically began with a January 2022 implosion, the new west side features premium seats, unparalleled views, a full stadium concourse without barricades and significant upgrades to concessions and dining experiences. Fans can now walk the entire perimeter of Reser Stadium, stop and get something to eat while watching the game. A capacity crowd of 35,548 is expected for Saturday’s game, an increase of 9,000 over a year ago.”