Oregon State is back from its bye week and heading into a tricky road test with a few clear fixes on the checklist.
The Beavers, who opened the year 5-2, travel south this week to face Fresno State, which comes in at 4-3. It’s the first meeting between the programs with both operating as members of the Pac-12 Conference, and Oregon State’s coaches spent this week talking through both the matchup itself and the details that need sharpening after the win over Washington State.
JaMarcus Shephard said the Beavers need cleaner play on offense, especially when it comes to drops and the ripple effect that has on third down. He also pointed to one of the biggest defensive priorities: keeping the quarterback from escaping the pocket.
"Offensively, we wanna attack the drops, we'd been better over the previous few weeks than we were against Washington State. That also speaks to third down conversions and everything like that," Shephard noted."
And on defense, it's making sure we have an answer to make sure that the quarterback doesn't get out of the pocket.Against the Cougars I actually felt like we had an answer, we just didn't execute it to the level that we needed to. I think that when you watch the Boise State vs Washington State game, Boise did a really good job making sure the quarterback stayed in the pocket.
He snuck out of there a couple times, but a couple times is a lot better than what we experienced against that team."
Defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre struck a similar note when looking back on how his group has handled the run since September. He said the defense has been solid against running backs, but the scrambling quarterback hurt Oregon State in the last game.
"I think against the run, we've been good against running backs running the football.You know last game we got hurt by the quarterback scrambling, but if you take that out they really didn't have very much rushing," MacIntyre said
That quarterback issue becomes even more important against Fresno State because of the pieces around him. MacIntyre singled out the Bulldogs’ receivers as a major challenge, mentioning Josiah Freeman, Jahlil McClain and Ezekiel Avit as dangerous after the catch.
"Their quarterback, he reads things well, but they've also got some excellent receivers. Number five Josiah Freeman, he's big and athletic.
Then Jahlil McClain, who I think came from Louisville, he's a really excellent player. And Ezekiel Avit, they use him a lot of different ways.
I think all three of those receivers are explosive, powerful. So they just get the ball to them quickly a lot of times, and those guys are able to really run after the catch," MacInyre said.
Shephard also spent time on Fresno State’s overall identity, calling out several Bulldogs who have stood out on film, including quarterback Jayden Mandal, linebacker K'vion THunderbird, defensive back Kiontre Harris and defensive end Dylan Hampsten. He said Matt Entz’s staff has built a team that understands how to win.
"Coach Entz has done a really good job of helping these guys understand that those things lead to winning," Shephard said of the Bulldogs' culture.
On offense, Mitch Dahlen offered a different kind of perspective. He coached at Fresno State in 2020 and 2021, and that experience clearly left an impression. Dahlen said his time there gave him a deep appreciation for the way the program is built.
"Knowing that place really well...having a really good relationship with Pat Hill, and obviously I was there two years with [Kalen] DeBoer. So just knowing the culture of that program, it's built on toughness and hard work, they are always gonna get the under-recruited guy who plays to a higher ceiling," Dahlen remarked.
"You know the environment there is a college football environment, I think that's my favorite thing about the place. This is why you play college football."
Even with Oregon State coming in on a two-game losing streak, Dahlen expects Fresno State’s crowd to bring plenty of noise. He also expects the Beavers to be prepared for the atmosphere.
"We'll be ready for the crowd noise, and we'll be ready for the walk past the ropes and down the hill, the guys will be ready for it. Halloween when you're in orange and black, you can't beat it, man."
Kickoff is set for Saturday at 8 PM at Valley Children's Stadium.
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JaMarcus Shephard has already framed the issue in terms the Beavers can appreciate: if the playoff is going to change, it should do more than simply create additional openings for the sports biggest power centers. He wants the expansion to improve access for everyone, not just make room for the Big Ten and SEC to collect more of the available spots. Until the plan is finalized, that tension remains at the heart of a fairness fight Oregon State will be watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
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Boise States Playoff Path Suddenly Looks A Lot More Real
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The next stretch will go a long way toward sorting out how serious that case really is, starting with a home game against Texas State before the schedule eventually brings Oregon State into the picture. That matchup is still weeks away, but for the Beavers it already carries extra relevance because Boise State is no longer just a good team on the rise, it is a program with a playoff route that suddenly looks very real. [Read more 🡒]