Beavers win! 48-31

BEAVERS WIN BEAVERS WIN!! What a game! Oregon State started off hot and finished strong to get their first FBS win of the season. UCLA put up an admirable fight with backup QB Austin Burton and a strong rushing attack, but it wasn’t enough to top a Beaver team that was firing on all cylinders offensively. Jake Luton accounted for 6 touchdowns (5 passing, 1 rushing). Here’s how it happened.

FIRST HALF

Oregon State started with the ball and marched down the field thanks to a big play from Kolby Taylor. Isaiah Hodgins capped off the drive with a TD catch to take the lead (for good). On UCLA’s first possession they decided to go for it on 4th down in their own territory and the Beaver defense stuffed the run play. Oregon State took over and Artavis Pierce punched it in to take a 14-0 lead. Pierce got the start as Jermar Jefferson (active) played a limited role as he still doesn’t look 100%. On the kickoff Oregon State went with an unconventional drop kick, on-side kick which they recovered! Moments later Luton found a wide-open Teagan Quitoriano and the Beavers were up 21-0 just six minutes into the game! I proceeded to jinx Jordan Choukair who missed an extra point on the Beavers next touchdown. A few poor defensive miscues later and Oregon State took just a 27-10 lead into the half.

SECOND HALF

UCLA scored on their first possession in the second half to trim the lead to 10. But it never got into single-digits as the Oregon State offense continued to move the ball against UCLA’s secondary. Jake Luton’s 5 touchdown passes tied an Oregon State record. Artavis Pierce had an excellent night (119 yards & TD) as the Beavers lead running back. Isaiah Hodgins continued to dominate (10 receptions, 123 yards, 3 TDs). The Beavers punted just three times tonight and despite the jinx Jordan Choukair was 6/7 on extra points. 7 touchdowns for the Oregon State offense, whoa!

Oregon State’s defense wasn’t perfect tonight. UCLA actually had more yards, plays ran, first downs, time of possession etc. But they did not make life easy for backup QB Austin Burton. Oregon State got plenty of pressure into the Bruin backfield and came up with several big plays to keep the momentum in the Beavers favor. UCLA running back Demetric Felton had a big game including a 75-yard run; but all things considered it was a very good performance for the defense. And an outstanding win for Oregon State. With the win Jonathan Smith has officially done better at OSU than Chip Kelly has at UCLA. Go Beavs!