Oregon State’s offensive line is heading into Fresno State with a much healthier look than it had for much of the first half of the season.
After getting through the bye week, the Beavers expect to be close to full strength up front. Center Van Wells said the extra time came at the right moment.
“We got some time to lick our wounds and get back to refining our technique,” he said. “We’ve been anxious to play again.”
Two key pieces, tackle Josiah Timoteo and backup interior lineman Carter Guillaume, are back in the mix after foot injuries suffered in the season opener. Both saw action against Washington State and could have bigger roles Saturday.
Timoteo had been sidelined for stretches earlier in the season, missing games against UTEP and San Diego State after limited appearances against Montana and Colorado State. His absence pushed Jacob Anderson into the starting left tackle spot for the last four games, and Anderson has held up well in that stretch.
Against Washington State, Timoteo split right tackle reps with Teko Shoats, which leaves the Beavers with a decision to make this week about who gets the start there. Quarterback Braden Atkinson said the rotation doesn’t affect him. “nothing” changes for him based on who starts at the tackle spots. Oregon State has given up only nine sacks this season, and six of those came against Houston and Texas Tech.
Shephard kept his message simple when talking about the line competition.
“If you don’t practice good, then the other guy is going to start,” he said.
Even with the ongoing shuffle, the Beavers’ coaching staff isn’t worried about the group’s cohesion. Shephard said the line’s focus is less about who opens the game and more about who is beside whom, since communication matters so much up front.
“That group of six or seven linemen, they are all banded together like a band of brothers,” Shephard said. “It’s great that we have that many. I wasn’t sure if we were going to have that many at one point and all of them have played really well throughout the season.”
Guillaume’s return matters in particular because Oregon State was in a tough spot at center without him. He also gives the Beavers another option at guard, where he is their third choice when healthy.
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