Oregon State is heading into Saturday’s home game against San Diego State with momentum, a growing crowd behind it and a coach who sounds convinced his team is starting to connect with the people around it.
JaMarcus Shephard’s Beavers are 3-2 after two straight road wins, and last week’s 56-26 win over Colorado State opened Pac-12 Conference play in emphatic fashion. Now they get to settle back into Reser Stadium, where Shephard said the atmosphere has mattered in a big way.
“When you get off the bus and there's a crowd that roars...there's an electricity inside of you, that lets you know right away that 'you're playing for something,' there's a bunch of people that have expectations of you.,” Shephard noted. “Every time we hear that crowd roar, that is the oxygen mask we're putting on, and we need that oxygen to be able to go out there and play at a high level.”
Oregon State’s two games at Reser Stadium have both drawn more than 30,000 fans, and another strong turnout is expected Saturday. Shephard said the support is more than just background noise.
“It gives our players faith in themselves, it gives them a reason to believe in something bigger than themselves. The fans...we know without a shadow of a doubt that without them, our sport would really cease to exist. And so I say all this to let you know you really do matter to the success of this football team.”
He also addressed the challenge some fans feel in connecting with a roster shaped by the transfer portal. His message was direct, and it centered on the players themselves.
“I would say this: these young people that are on this football team, they didn't make the rules. They didn't sit in a room and make the decision for what we're seeing in college football across the entire country.
These young men are coming to Oregon State, and they're doing exactly what I'm telling them to do. They're pouring their heart into this football team...into the community...they're pouring their heart into this 2026 season.
I mean if you can't see it, I think it's pretty evident. Are we perfect?
Not by any stretch of the imagination. But certainly they're playing hard, and they want to win for Oregon State.
”
One player drawing major attention is freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree, who has piled up 28 catches for 741 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Legree was added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list this week, and Shephard said his production is pushing the whole roster to raise its game.
“A lot of people around the country, they hate the Yankees. There's a lot of people who might've hated the Lakers, or the Celtics.
When I got to Alabama, everybody hated Alabama. I always had a love and respect for all those teams, because it made everybody up their level of play, instead of falling down to the level of their opponents.
Well, I equate that similarly to Jesse Legree right now, because he is forcing everyone on our team to up their level of play.”
He added: “And I'm not calling him the Yankees or anything, hopefully nobody writes it that way. I'm just saying the kid is playing at a high level, and it's making everyone else on the team be like 'I can play better, and I'm going to.'
We got a lot of kids who've been playing really well, and they still think they can do better. ”
San Diego State comes in at 2-3 and 1-0 in Pac-12 play after a 31-29 comeback win over Texas State. The Aztecs have gotten strong work from Djibril Abdou Rahman, who has three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Shephard called San Diego State a “very physical and resilient football team” and pointed to its second-half comeback last week as proof. He also highlighted the Aztecs’ offensive line and said they have an edge player who can change a game.
“We're gonna need to stay efficient throughout this game in order to be successful. We're gonna be versatile.
We're gonna have guys that are flexible and adaptable throughout the game, and we're gonna respond to every moment. Was very excited about how our guys responded to the moment this past weekend, when the game was tied, they responded to the moment.
And we're gonna do everything we can to do that again this Saturday.”
The game is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. PT in Corvallis on USA Network.
In Other News...
Oregon State Suddenly Has A Secondary Problem Before A Crucial Home Game
Oregon State heads into Saturdays home game against San Diego State with a growing concern in the secondary, where cornerback Isaiah Houi is listed as questionable. With several other Beavers already dealing with injury-related availability issues, the possibility of Houi sitting would leave the defense stretched thin at a spot that cannot afford much margin for error at Reser Stadium.
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 Could Catch San Diego State At The Perfect Time
Oregon State heads into its matchup with San Diego State with a chance to catch the Aztecs at an awkward moment. The roster is being thinned by injuries, the defense is still adjusting after losing most of its starters from last season, and the offensive side has not found much easy rhythm either. Quarterback Jayden Denegal has dealt with mechanical issues and a dip in confidence, which only adds pressure on a group already trying to settle in around him.
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 🡒]
Oregon State Backfield May Be Finding Its Edge At The Right Time
Oregon States recent win over Colorado State gave the Beavers something to build on, and a pair of players who spoke with local media this week offered a glimpse into why the backfield may be settling in at the right time. Cornell Hatcher pointed to steady improvement in the running back room, while Drake Vickers talked about his long road back to the field and what it has meant to be part of the rotation again.
As the Beavers turn their attention to San Diego State, the conversation around the backfield is about more than just one good performance. Hatchers comments suggested a unit trying to sharpen its approach after an uneven start, and Vickers return adds another layer of depth and resilience to a group that is trying to find its edge when the schedule starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]