Oregon State Hosts Washington For Senior Day

Washington (4-6, 2-5) at Oregon St. (2-8, 0-7) / Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR / 3:00 PM PST / Pac-12 / KEJO 1240 AM / KEX 1190 AM

Game Notes / Washington Game Notes

Oregon State concludes their home slate for the season, hosting longtime Northwest rival Washington on Senior Day.

It's the 100th meeting between in the series that dates to back to 1897. Oregon State won that one 16-0, in what was only Washington's second ever game against a major college opponent.

The Huskies have dominated the series, and especially recently. Last year's 37-13 rout in Seattle extended Washington's current win streak in the series to 3 games, and the Huskies have won 19 of the last 27 meetings, and 29 of the last 38, dating back to 1975.

Their last trip to Reser saw Washington run for more yards than any opponent ever has, on their way to a 69-27 demolition of the Beavers that was one of the worst beat downs in Oregon State history. The Huskies had 3 players run for over 140 yards each (no team had ever had 3 run for even 100 yards before, and haven't since), on their way to 531 total yards on the ground, also the worst night Oregon State has ever had defensively on the ground. The 69 points is also an all-time record for points against the OSU defense.

Last week's 54-24 road loss to California was another record setter of the wrong kind for Oregon State, as the Bears rolled up 760 total yards, the most the Beavers have ever allowed in any game ever.

Fortunately for Oregon State, this year's Washington offense is barely more productive than their own, and its why the Huskies have to win both this week on the road and next week in the Apple Cup to become bowl eligible. Offensive shorcomings have led to 3 1 score losses, and 2 more by less than 2 touchdowns.

This with what's the unfortunate news for the Beavers' offense; the Husky defense, despite sending 4 players to the NFL off last year's defense, is even better, and overall, is the best defense in the Pac-12. Welcome back Purple Reign.

Last week, Washington opened a 17-0 lead in Tempe, only to surrender 27 unanswered points to Arizona State, and the Sun Devils beat the Huskies 27-17.

The cause of the Huskies' offensive inconsistency is one that will sound familiar to Beaver Nation. Much has been written about the fact that Oregon State is the least experienced team in the Pac-12, and one of the least experienced in the country, but the Washington offense is the least experienced offense in the conference, and they too have a freshman, Jake Browning, at quarterback.

Oregon State will have Nick Mitchell at quarterback. His availability was uncertain early in the week, after suffering a concussion at California, but he was able to practice all week. His absence would or will leave the Beavers with only 1 quarterback, Macrus McMaryion, so former quarterback turned Tight End Brent Vander Veen again worked at QB this week, in case of emergency.

Washington has overall been healthier than Oregon State, though, and its the biggest reason the Huskies are riding a 2 game losing streak, whereas the Beavers have dropped 7 in a row. And why Washington is a 15 point favorite on the road.

Building The Dam will be at the game, and back afterwards with complete coverage and analysis.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com