Oregon State keeps widening the list of names that can swing a game, and that depth is starting to show up all over the field. Nine different players caught a pass from Atkinson in last Saturday’s blowout win, and 18 different players finished with a tackle on defense. That kind of spread-out production matters as the Beavers chase their fourth straight win Saturday afternoon against San Diego State.
One of the clearest examples on defense has been Goodman. The senior from Wisconsin didn’t play at all in 2025 before the coaching staff moved him to linebacker, and the change has paid off quickly.
He made a strong impression against Texas Tech in just his second game at the position, and over the last two contests he has piled up ten solo tackles and a sack. His range and closing speed have given Oregon State another useful piece in the front seven, which could come in handy against an Aztec offense that wants to run the ball.
The tight end group has also been a major source of steady production. Eric Olsen, the FCS transfer, followed up a five-catch game against UTEP with a bigger day last Saturday at Colorado State, when he caught nine passes for 65 yards in the rout.
DeCorion Temple has been just as important in his own way. The Central Michigan transfer, who drew consistent praise during fall camp, has caught at least two passes in every game so far in 2026, including a touchdown against Montana.
His best outing as a Beaver came last Saturday in Fort Collins, when he finished with five receptions for 69 yards.
Oregon State has also gotten useful work from Cornell Hatcher in the backfield. After seeing limited action the previous week at UTEP, he made the most of his chances against Colorado State, running for 51 yards on seven touches.
That included an 11-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter. He may not be the main man in the halfback rotation, but he keeps giving the offense another threat.
Then there’s Butler, who keeps finding ways to make an impact even if he is not Oregon State’s top receiving option. Coach Dahlen has continued to get the Texas transfer involved, and last week Butler delivered the biggest play of the game when he took an end-around 30 yards for a touchdown to put the Beavers back in front at 14-14. Over the last three games, he has caught seven passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.
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 Has A Chance To Turn This Homecoming Into Something Bigger
Oregon State gets a familiar kind of chance this week, coming home after back-to-back road wins and a solid start to its Pac-12 schedule. The Beavers are 3-2 overall after opening conference play with a win over Colorado State, and head coach JaMarcus Shephard has made no secret of how much he welcomes the return to Corvallis after a stretch spent away from home.
San Diego State arrives at 2-3, bringing a defense that still has to be accounted for, especially with Djibril Abdou Rahman on the roster. For Oregon State, though, the broader interest goes beyond just the matchup. Freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree has already drawn attention with his place on the Biletnikoff Award watch list, a sign that the Beavers may have more than one reason to believe this homecoming could become something bigger. [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 🡒]