Record Watch: Nall Paces Beavers Against Buffaloes

The Beavers might have lost another one, but to anyone paying attention this one felt different.

In a week that began with Gary Andersen shockingly stepping down from his position as head coach, Oregon State found a way to deliver their most impressive performance of the season in a 36-33 loss against Colorado. The Beavers had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds but Jordan Choukair's 52-yard field goal attempt fell two yards short—his only miss in an otherwise wonderful day of kicking.

In fact, the Beavers as a whole played pretty well. They amassed 569 yards of total offense, controlled the time of possession by utilizing their ground attack, and came up with a number of chain-moving catches in key moments. In a game that was decided by a field goal, Oregon State gave up a touchdown on a trick pass back to their quarterback and another touchdown on a 74-yard run. They might have lost the game, but this Beavers team showed heart at the end of an emotional week.

Another encouraging sign is the return of Ryan Nall as a workhorse back. After sitting out last week's game against USC, Nall carried the football 24 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns. Those three scores give Nall 23 rushing touchdowns in his career, vaulting him past Terron Ward and into a tie with Sam Baker at #7 in the all-time Oregon State record books. Nall is also knocking on the door of the rushing yardage record book, as his 172 yard effort puts him at 1,919 career yards—less than 30 yards outside of the top ten in career rushing yards at Oregon State.

Jordan Villamin also had a decent day as he hauled in three balls for 57 yards, including a toss from Darell Garretson on a bit of trickery by the Beavs:

Villamin, a senior, now sits outside the Oregon State all-time record books by thin margins in each receiving category. To break into the top ten he needs only: 29 receptions, 101 yards, and/or one touchdown catch.

Against Colorado:

Ryan Nall, RB - 24 carries, 172 yards, three touchdowns.

Jordan Villamin, WR - Three receptions, 57 yards, no touchdowns.

2017 Record Tracker (career totals) - 7 games played, 5 to go

• Ryan Nall - 1,919 rushing yards (#10 Sam Baker - 1,947 rushing yards)
• Ryan Nall - 23 rushing touchdowns - tied at #7 with Sam Baker (#5 Bill Enyart & Storm Woods - 25 rushing touchdowns)
• Jordan Villamin - 120 receptions (#10 Reggie Bynum - 149 receptions)
• Jordan Villamin - 1,744 receiving yards (#10 Roddy Tompkins - 1,845 receiving yards)
• Jordan Villamin - 13 receiving touchdowns (#10 Sammy Stroughter - 14 receiving touchdowns)

Author's Note: Each week in 2017, I'm going to look at the players that are within reach of the all-time ranks in Beaver history, as well as any surprise efforts that might land among the single-game or single-season records. Stay tuned as 2017 progresses, and we'll track where Nall and Villamin—as well as any other Beaver athletes that emerge as record-setters—end up by season's end.