Oregon State could have stayed at home in Corvallis and scored just as many points as they did in Colorado Springs in this 28-0 shut-out loss against Air Force. The Beavers entire offensive effort in this one can be summed up with four punts, three turn-overs on downs and one interception. Freshman QB Gabarri Johnson in his first college start in place of injured Ben Gulbranson was just 9-of-19 for 106 yards and 1 interception while also rushing 13 times for 22 yards. Johnson along with RB Anthony Hankerson and their other backup QB Gevani McCoy combined for 24 carries and 69 total yards.
The Air Force got the ball first in this one and proceeded downfield 75 yards in 11 plays to take the lead on a 4 yard TD run by their QB Quentin Hayes who would run another one in late in the 2nd Qtr. The Falcons had a chance to put even more points on the scoreboard but were unable to convert two field goals in the first half, one from 38 yards out and the other, from 52 yards, was blocked with time expiring and leaving the score 14-0 at the break.
Fumbling away their opportunity to score in the third quarter at the end of a 15 play 74 yard drive in the Oregon State Red Zone, the Falcons took advantage of their next two possessions with back-to-back touchdowns in the 4th Qtr to go up 28-0 where it would stay. The Air Force starting Sophomore QB Quintin Hayes would throw only five passes but connected every time for 110 yards as well as rushing 17 times for 84 yards and 2 TD’s with RB’s Dylan Carson and Owen Allen adding another TD each as well as collectively picking up 139 yards on 36 carries. All toll the Falcons rushed 65 times for 271 yards and all four TD’s.
The Air Force dominated in the stats leading in 1st Downs, 23-9; total yards, 410-175; a 24 minute advantage in time-of-possession; and a 65+% 3rd down conversion rate compared to just 20% for Oregon State. The Falcon defense recorded five sacks compared to just one for the Beavers as well as seven tackles for loss and an equal number of pass disruptions. This was about as poorly as I’ve seen Oregon State play in a long time and as OregonLive noted in their headline regarding the game; “Oregon State Fans Feel Hopeless . . . “ and went on to say that; “The worst thing that can happen for OSU football is to have its fan base check out. But can you blame them after the last five games?” As Nick Daschel continued to write, “OSU’s defense allowed an Air Force unit that ranked 129th nationally in scoring offense to own the game.” With a record of 4-6 and needing to win their last two games against No. 18 Washington State and No. 13 Boise State the immediate and short term prospects for what was a real up and coming program over the last few years are looking pretty bleak.