FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Gabe Milbourn’s week already had the kind of emotional weight that can wipe out everything else on the schedule. The Oregon State sixth-year tight end became a father on Tuesday, and at first he expected to remain home with his wife, Rebekah, and their newborn son, Ronen.
But Rebekah pushed him to make the trip back to the Beavers for their Pac-12 opener, and Milbourn ended up turning the night into something he’ll never forget.
“She really wanted me to come because she thought it was very important for me to be here for my team,” Milbourn said. “If it wasn’t for her telling me to come to this game I probably would’ve stayed with her to support her.”
Oregon State made the moment even bigger by putting his name on the play. The offensive staff labeled the call after Ronen, and Milbourn finished it with a two-yard touchdown run out of a Wildcat formation in the Beavers’ 56-26 win over Colorado State on Saturday afternoon at sold-out Canvas Stadium.
“Him getting into the end zone on that, I hope is a memory that he has for the rest of his life,” Oregon State coach JaMarcus Shephard said. “We’re super excited for him.
You only get to become a father for the first time one time and that’s really special. Love Gabe; mom, baby, hope you guys are all doing well back home.
We really appreciate you letting us have him with us.”
The touchdown capped a frantic stretch for Milbourn, who took his wife to the hospital on Sept. 27 just hours after Oregon State returned from El Paso.
“Running on maybe two hours of sleep,” Milbourn said. “Anything I could get on the plane and the bus ride.
We got it done on Tuesday. ... I’ve never experienced anything like it before, the joy and the admiration I have for my wife also is unmatched.
She is the strongest woman I’ve ever met, in heart and in mind. For her to be able to do that is amazing.
All credit due to her.”
In Other News...
Oregon State Fueled A Sideline Meltdown Colorado State Couldn't Hide
Oregon States trip through Fort Collins turned into more than just a lopsided result for Colorado State. In the middle of the game, coach Jim Mora Jr. made a major defensive change, handing over playcalling duties and trying to steady a unit that was already being overwhelmed. The move came with the Rams under heavy pressure and with Oregon State still piling on points.
The adjustment did little to change the evenings direction, as Colorado State still gave up 56 points. Tyson Summers left the sideline after being relieved of his duties and is no longer with the football program, a sign of just how badly things had broken down for the Rams. For Oregon State, it was the kind of game that exposed a defense in free fall and left the Beavers with plenty to build on, even if the bigger story in the box score was what happened on the other side. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon States Passing Attack Just Sent A Loud Early Message
The first Pac-12 game of the season at Canvas Stadium turned into a showcase for Oregon States passing game, and Braden Atkinson was at the center of it. In a 56-26 win over Colorado State, the quarterback kept the Beavers in rhythm from the start, piling up 413 yards and five touchdowns while helping set the tone for a night when the offense looked in command of the matchup.
Jesse Legree was just as important, stretching the field and finishing with three touchdown catches as Oregon State kept finding ways to attack through the air. His latest big night also continued a remarkable run of production, giving the Beavers another proof point that this passing game is more than just hot for one week and may be building into something much bigger. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon States Fast Start Helped Spark A Stunning Colorado State Meltdown
Oregon States fast start against Colorado State did more than put points on the board. It helped turn an already rough afternoon into a jarring sideline situation for the Rams, whose defensive coordinator Tyson Summers was gone by the break in a loss that quickly tilted out of control. For the Beavers, the early pressure and tempo were part of a result that rippled well beyond the final score.
Colorado State is now 2-3, and the fallout has already reached the coaching staff. Jim Mora Jr. has since confirmed that Summers is no longer with the program and that Kenny McClendon has taken over the defensive coordinator role, with San Diego State up next. For Oregon State, it was the kind of game that can expose more than one opponent problem at once. [Read more 🡒]