Oregon State’s 52-17 win over Montana at Reser Stadium on Saturday wasn’t just another lopsided result. It gave the Beavers a cleaner look at what this team can do when the offense is rolling, the special teams are steadier, and the depth chart starts to matter.
The ball was spread around more evenly than in Oregon State’s first three games, with Braden Atkinson’s touchdowns going to five different players. Jesse Legree and Aeryn Hampton were still involved, but this one felt broader. Hampton was a steady target on the drive before halftime, and Aaron Butler turned in a strong touchdown grab that showed how many weapons this offense can bring to the table.
Legree, meanwhile, kept doing what he’s been doing. The freshman kept finding space against zone coverage, then punished defenses once he got the ball in open field. He’s already proving to be a problem that doesn’t go away just because the competition gets better, and man coverage doesn’t figure to make life much easier for anyone trying to slow him down.
The run game also took a step forward. Oregon State finished with 144 rushing yards, and that came with some real signs of growth from AJ Newberry and Tre Garrison.
Newberry showed power, bounced through contact and flashed as a receiver. Garrison’s 14 carries stood out too, especially with no back having shown the ability to handle that kind of workload consistently.
If Kourdey Glass remains out, Garrison could be in line for a bigger role.
JaMarcus Shephard also kept leaning into aggression on fourth down. Oregon State had already built up a high number of attempts there, though some of that had been inflated by game script in the first two weeks. Still, Shephard opened the game by going for fourth-and-two at the OSU 41 on the Beavers’ first possession, and the call paid off with a 40-yard pass to Newberry.
“We’re going to keep going for it on fourth down because that to me is us betting on ourselves and that to me is the culture of this university, this community, this Pac-12,” Shephard said.
Defensively, Oregon State handled Eli Gillman well enough that the numbers need a little context. Gillman averaged 4.5 yards per carry, but more than half of his 81 yards came on four plays. On 14 runs, the Beavers largely did their job, and the damage came in a game that was already tilted heavily.
Montana also followed a familiar script by attacking one side of Oregon State’s defense. Blake Thompson was targeted early, then Isaiah Houi was picked on after he came in.
TJ Crandall saw a couple of throws his way, but the Grizzlies clearly had a plan to test OSU’s No. 2 corner no matter who was there. Kai Wheaton’s late interception was the best moment yet from that spot.
Up front, Oregon State got useful answers. Jacob Anderson looked better while filling in for Josiah Timoteo, and Will Larkins got extended time at right tackle.
That experience could matter. The biggest development may have been Michael Langi getting work at center, especially with Van Wells potentially not eligible going forward.
Jack Wagner also saw action at left guard, and neither player had taken a snap before Saturday.
Special teams were cleaner too. After a couple of rough weeks with missed kicks and problems on snaps and holds, that phase looked much more stable, with the late punt return fumble the lone major blemish.
Xavyion Noland gave the Beavers some pop as a return man and might have broken even bigger plays if he hadn’t outrun his blocks. The kicking game and coverage both held up.
The final stretch also gave Brady Jones and Maalik Murphy a chance to play meaningful snaps. They weren’t out there just to drain the clock. Murphy, in particular, showed that his throwing ability remains a major asset.
Oregon State also got a pair of returns worth watching. Eddie Freauff was back for a few plays and came close to a spectacular sideline catch, while Noble Thomas Jr. suited up but did not appear. Both matter for what they can add down the road, with Freauff giving the Beavers another taller proven target and Thomas helping a cornerback group whose depth has been a known issue.
In Other News...
Oregon State Should Handle UTEP But One Thing Still Matters
Oregon State heads to the Sun Bowl on Saturday with a chance to take care of business against a UTEP team that has had a rough start on both sides of the ball. The Beavers are favored by 11.5 points, and on paper this looks like the kind of matchup a more balanced roster should control in El Paso, Texas. UTEP will lean on quarterback Colson, running back Tavorus Jones, linebacker Jayden Wilson and safety Xavier Smith as it tries to steady things against a Pac-12 program that should bring more size and depth.
Still, the details along the line and in the back end can matter in a game like this, especially for a Miners team already searching for answers. If Oregon State gets the clean looks it expects, the broader question may not be whether it can win, but how efficiently it can do so and whether UTEP can keep enough stability in place to make the afternoon competitive longer than the spread suggests. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State's Offense Is Giving Beavers Fans A Real Reason To Believe
Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree keep giving Oregon States offense a different kind of lift, and the Pac-12 took notice this week. Atkinson was honored after a big outing through the air and on the ground, while Legree continued his fast rise with another Freshman of the Week nod. Together, they have helped make the Beavers passing game feel like a weekly threat rather than a one-game spike.
Legrees latest recognition was his third straight, something Oregon State has not seen from a freshman since 2020, and it came after he topped 100 receiving yards in his most recent game. Atkinsons award was his first from the league, a sign of how quickly he has settled into the role and how much the Beavers are leaning on him as the offense finds more consistency and confidence. [Read more 🡒]