Oregon State gets another early-season test Saturday night, and this one comes with a different kind of pressure. The Beavers are back at Reser Stadium to face Montana, an FCS power that arrives with enough punch to make life uncomfortable if Oregon State isn’t sharp from the start. The Beavers are three-score favorites, but after coming up short in their bid to pull off a big upset against Texas Tech last weekend, they’re still searching for their first win of the Jamarcus Shephard era.
One of the biggest swings in this game will come on the ground. Oregon State’s defense handled that area fairly well against Texas Tech, especially after halftime, and that same kind of discipline will be needed again.
Montana’s offensive front may not match what the Beavers saw last week, but the Grizzlies can run the ball. Eli Gillman rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2025, and he’s already averaging nearly seven yards per carry through three games this season.
That means Oregon State can’t afford to get loose or complacent up front. The Beavers should have the personnel to slow Montana’s run game, but that advantage only matters if they bring the same edge they showed against #13 TTU.
On the other side of the ball, tempo will matter too. Oregon State has leaned into a more up-tempo approach in the coach Shephard era, and it has already helped the passing game.
The Beavers should have the ability to run the ball against an FCS defense, and that could help Mitch Dahlen control the flow of the offense, make the right calls in the right spots, and set the pace on Oregon State’s terms. AJ Newberry and Cornell Hatcher are two names to watch for a bigger role in that effort.
The passing attack has more than one path to production, and that’s part of what makes this offense dangerous. Jesse Legree leads the nation in receiving, but he’s not the only target who can change a drive. In the season opener against Houston, Oregon State’s offense found another gear in the second half when it started connecting with tight end Eric Olsen and UTRGV transfer Xayvion Noland.
Last week against Texas Tech, Aeryn Hampton and Aaron Butler each came down with a couple of first-down catches. Oregon State will want more of that kind of balance tomorrow night and as the season moves along. If the Beavers can spread the ball around and create multiple threats in the passing game, they should have a strong chance to pile up points on Montana.
There’s also the matter of communication on defense, something Jamarcus Shephard stressed during fall camp. He pointed to the value of the little things - being aligned, being connected, and staying on the same page - especially in early-season games.
Oregon State’s secondary held up well against a strong opponent last weekend, but there’s still youth in that group, including two very young starters at corner. With Montana bringing several receiving threats, the Beaver defense will need to stay locked in.
Each week, veteran sports broadcaster and writer Matt Bagley examines the news and storylines at play for Oregon State University Athletics. Occasionally joined by contributors for On SI's coverage of the Beavers, as well as the occasional guest spot from Beavers past, present, and future.
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In Other News...
Oregon State Heads To Montana With One Offensive Question Looming
Through the first two games, Oregon State has leaned on its defense to keep things steady while the offense searches for a more reliable rhythm. Head coach Jamarcus Shephard has pointed to the running game as the area that needs the biggest lift heading into the trip to Montana, and the Beavers have options there with several backs vying to make a mark. At the same time, the passing game has been built around spreading the ball around to multiple receivers, with Jesse Legree, Aeryn Hampton and Aaron Butler all part of that mix.
On the other side of the ball, the defense has already given Oregon State plenty to like, from impactful plays by Bailey to encouraging early growth in the secondary. Montana gives the Beavers a chance to keep that momentum rolling, but it also puts a spotlight on an offense that still has one obvious question hanging over it. If the ground game can settle in, it could change the feel of the whole trip. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Gets An Early Test From A Montana Team Worth Respecting
Montana is arriving in Corvallis with enough credibility to make Oregon State pay attention, and thats part of what makes this early-season matchup interesting. The Grizzlies have a long enough track record in FCS circles to understand how to handle an FBS trip, and the conversation around them this week has centered on continuity after a coaching change, a sturdy running game and a defense that has shown both quality and some vulnerable spots.
For Oregon State, the challenge is less about the logo on Montanas helmet and more about a team that still brings real structure and experience into a Power conference setting. Frank Gogolas look at the Grizzlies points to a roster that has stayed intact through the transition and a group that can test the Beavers in ways that are easy to overlook if you just glance at the schedule. The intrigue now is whether Montana can turn that stability into an upset bid, or whether Oregon State turns a respectable test into the kind of win it needs to set an early tone. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Opens With National Buzz And A Few Big Lineup Questions
Intermats preseason wrestling rankings have already put Oklahoma State squarely in the national spotlight for 2026-27, with seven Cowboys placed in the top eight of their weight classes and the program slotted second in both the Team Tournament and Team Dual rankings. Three different wrestlers were tabbed No. 1 at their weights, a sign that the roster still carries the kind of depth and star power that has kept the Cowboys in the title conversation.
Even with that buzz, the lineup is not fully settled, and some of the most important questions are still hanging around the middle and upper weights. The biggest uncertainty centers on a few spots where incoming talent could shake things up, leaving the staff with more sorting to do before the season gets into full swing. [Read more 🡒]