Oregon State got exactly the kind of start it wanted in Fort Collins, and Cornell Hatcher said the Beavers felt it in real time.
After Saturday’s win over Colorado State, the Oregon State halfback described the conference opener as “everything we hoped for.” The atmosphere matched the moment, too. Hatcher said the Beavers were fired up for a sellout crowd and a tough road setting, and he added, “there's no place we would've rather started the Pac-12 this year.”
The biggest shift for Oregon State, though, has been in the running back room. Hatcher said the group has grown sharper over the last few games and took responsibility for getting the season back on track after the start they wanted didn’t come. He pointed to the way the backs and coach Marks handled that stretch, saying the room knew it could not allow games to slip because it wasn’t doing its job.
“I think it mainly comes from us as a running back room taking ownership after we didn't have the start to the season that we wanted to. We came together and especially with coach Marks, we knew that we didn't want to get into a situation where we were losing games because we weren't doin' what we needed to do. So we had to take ownership of our role.”
Hatcher also praised the trust the offense showed in the ground game, especially in a sequence where coach Dahlen kept leaning on the run. He said the call sheet reflected confidence in the backs, and the room understood the responsibility that came with it.
“I think it was amazing really, knowing that coach Dahlen is up there trusting us enough to call six runs in a row like that. It takes a sense of responsibility, and we're glad to have that.”
Safety Drake Vickers also met with local media and walked through the long road back from multiple injuries. He said his first setback came in 2023, when he tore his left ACL while preparing for Utah. He returned in week four of 2024, then was moved back to corner and got good reps there before tearing his ACL and meniscus during a spring scrimmage.
“My first year here in 2023 we were prepping for Utah, and I ended up tearing my left ACL. I ended up coming back week four of 2024...Last year I got moved back to corner and was getting good reps there, and during spring scrimmage I ended up tearing my ACL and meniscus.”
Vickers said the medical guidance made the risk clear, but he believes he can keep going as long as he stays healthy and does what he’s supposed to do.
“Doctor explained to me that it's increased risk, but you wear your brace and do the right things, I can ride it out as long as I can...shoot, if I'm healthy I can go. Right now I'm healthy and so I'm just gonna keep goin'.”
He also said he never had doubts about his place on the field, explaining that he felt he was always close and learned from the safeties ahead of him, Akili Arnold and Kitan Oladapo. Vickers said those veterans helped guide him and that each year he has taken in more knowledge about the game.
“There was never any doubt to be honest, I think I was always close, you know in 2023 I was behind two great safeties with Akili Arnold and Kitan Oladapo. Those guys were great at guiding me and giving me the nods that I needed. Every year I've been able to absorb more and more knowledge about the game.”
Vickers also broke down the play that stood out to him against Colorado State, saying the Rams liked to roll out with their quarterback and that he read the action from the backside before reacting to the tight end leaking out.
“When that play happened...CSU liked to roll out a lot with this quarterback, so when I saw the play develop I had my eyes backside, and I saw the tight end leaking out, and so I reacted right away to that.”
Oregon State now turns to San Diego State, which visits Corvallis on Saturday at 3 p.m. PT on USA Network.
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Oregon State Suddenly Has A Secondary Problem Before A Crucial Home Game
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The staffing issue has forced Oregon State to look for answers elsewhere, including moving safety Sailasa Vadrawale III into cornerback reps as a contingency. It is the kind of late-week shuffle that can ripple through a game plan, especially with a crucial matchup looming and both teams still sorting through updated injury reports before kickoff on October 10 in Corvallis. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Has A Chance To Turn This Homecoming Into Something Bigger
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Oregon State Could Catch San Diego State At The Perfect Time
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There is still some presence on the other side of the ball, especially with edge rusher Djibril Rahman emerging as a defensive leader, but the broader picture is one of uncertainty for San Diego State. For Oregon State, that matters because a team with this much instability can be vulnerable early, especially if the Beavers are able to push pace and make the Aztecs sort through problems on both offense and defense before they find any footing. [Read more 🡒]