Oregon State’s first two games have already offered a few clear takeaways, and one of the biggest is that the Beavers have plenty of players who can make an impact when Saturday night’s matchup with Montana arrives. The FCS opponent should give Oregon State a chance to rotate more bodies and create more production in different spots, even if the Grizzlies are not being treated like a walkover.
The clearest area for a reset is on the ground. Oregon State has had a hard time getting its rushing attack moving through the first two weeks, managing just 81 rushing yards combined against Houston and Texas Tech.
Those were tough defensive fronts, but the Beavers now get a different kind of test. During Monday’s presser, head coach Jamarcus Shephard said they "need to get one of their guys hot," then keep riding that back.
Last season against Houston in week 5, Hatcher showed as a true freshman what he can do once he gets into a rhythm and starts seeing steady touches. AJ Newberry and Kourdey Glass also have a chance to make a statement if Oregon State can control the line of scrimmage.
The Beavers still want to throw the ball, but they need the run game to show up too.
Up front on defense, the 300-plus pound JUCO transfer made noise last Saturday against Texas Tech. Bailey finished with a sack of Will Hammond and also forced and recovered a fumble.
Oregon State’s front has looked strong through two games against ranked teams, with Daniel Matagi, Takari Hickle and Jarrel Comer all part of that early success. With Montana’s offensive line likely a step below what the Beavers saw from the Red Raiders, Bailey is in position for another productive night.
In the secondary, freshman defensive back Thompson has already turned heads. Shephard said earlier this week that Thompson’s natural athletic ability stands out, and he even said he could see him playing corner at the next level.
Not many expected Thompson to crack the starting cornerback group this season, but he has done it and made it count through two games. His starting experience is still limited, which makes his early growth even more notable.
Texas Tech quarterback Hammond and his receivers had some moments last week, but Oregon State’s secondary held together well against that passing game. Against Montana, the DBs should have chances to attack the ball and hunt interceptions.
On offense, the Beavers also need to keep feeding more than just one target. Shephard stressed earlier in the week that spreading the ball around matters, and that message fits a group that already includes the nation’s leading receiver in Jesse Legree.
Aeryn Hampton, the Alabama transfer, caught four passes for 51 yards against Texas Tech, while Texas transfer Aaron Butler also finished with four receptions. As Hampton keeps building chemistry with Atkinson, he could turn into a real weapon for Oregon State this season.
In Other News...
Oregon State Faces An Early Home Test It Cannot Afford To Fail
Oregon State heads into its meeting with Montana carrying an early-season sense of urgency, and not just because it has already had to reset after a tough opener. Under Jamarcus Shephard, the Beavers are still trying to get the first win of a new era, which puts extra attention on how cleanly they handle a game that should tell them plenty about their defensive structure, their offensive rhythm and the general level of discipline they can bring from one snap to the next.
Montana brings a run game and a few names that demand attention, with Eli Gillman and Jesse Legree among the players Oregon State will have to account for throughout the afternoon. For the Beavers, the challenge is as much mental as tactical, because a home game like this can turn quickly if communication breaks down or the edges of the defense get loose, and this is the kind of test they cannot afford to let drift into something more complicated than it needs to be. [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 🡒]