Oregon State didn’t walk out of Lubbock with a win, but the Beavers did leave with a few clear signs that JaMarcus Shephard’s group can hang with quality competition. In a 35-24 loss to ranked Texas Tech, OSU fell to 0-2, yet the effort against a team entering the weekend as a heavy favorite offered a glimpse of what this roster can be.
The defensive front got one of the night’s biggest lifts from senior Sullivan, who was everywhere against the Red Raiders. He helped steady the run defense, flashed as a pass rusher, and got his hands up to knock down multiple Will Hammond throws on third down. Sullivan finished with 11 tackles, one sack and a handful of quarterback hurries.
Another strong performance up front came from Matagi, the Portland State transfer, who briefly left in the first half with an injury before returning and settling back in as a disruptive presence. He pressured the quarterback a couple of times, added a sack and held his own against the Texas Tech run game.
On offense, Hampton continued to make his presence felt. The Alabama transfer has now put together eight catches over the past two weeks against ranked opponents, and he was a useful outlet for the Beavers on Saturday. He came through with a pair of key third-down grabs and finished with four receptions for 50 yards, giving OSU another option beyond Jesse Legree, who could start drawing more double teams.
Atkinson’s night was a little uneven, but the sophomore quarterback still put up eye-catching numbers against a strong secondary. He admitted he probably missed a few throws, and his completion rate dipped, but he still completed 29 passes for 399 yards and two touchdowns. He also showed he can create when the pocket breaks down, including a big 4th and 7 touchdown connection with Legree.
Legree, meanwhile, kept building his case as one of the most dangerous young receivers in the country. The true freshman now leads the nation with 376 receiving yards, and he has done it in just two games in black and orange.
Against Texas Tech, he opened the action with a spectacular downfield grab on a perfectly placed ball from Atkinson that he turned into a touchdown to tie the game. He kept making noise after that, finishing with eight catches for 240 yards and two scores.
With only two games together, Atkinson and Legree already look like a pairing with serious upside, and Saturday night only added to that impression.
In Other News...
West Virginia Is Becoming A Team Oregon State Fans Should Track
West Virginia is starting to look like one of the more interesting teams on Oregon States radar, if only because the Mountaineers keep giving people reasons to pay attention. Rich Rodriguez has them off to a 2-0 start, and the early production has come from familiar names in unfamiliar places, with quarterback Michael Hawkins and running back Cam Cook both settling in quickly after transferring in.
The timing only adds to the intrigue. The Big 12 has already placed Oklahoma States conference opener in Morgantown for a 6 p.m. Central kickoff on Sept. 26, setting up a second straight night game for the Cowboys after their matchup with Murray State. For Oregon State fans following the larger college football picture, it is another reminder that West Virginia could become a team worth tracking well before the league race really starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Faces An Early Test That Could Rattle Beavers Fans
Montana brings an unbeaten start into its Sept. 19 trip to Reser Stadium, and that alone makes this a noteworthy early test for Oregon State. The Grizzlies have opened 3-0 and arrive with the kind of momentum that can turn a nonconference game into a real measuring stick, especially in Corvallis, where the Beavers will be expected to handle business.
There is also a fresh look to Montana under new head coach Bobby Kennedy, which adds another layer of uncertainty for Oregon State to solve. The Grizzlies have enough talent at the key spots to make that change matter, with Kealii Ah Yat directing the offense, Eli Gillman giving them a ground threat, Brooks Davis working as a receiving option, and Peyton Wing anchoring the defense. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Cant Lose Its Edge After The Oregon Win
Eric Morris spent part of the week talking less about the scoreboard and more about the harder job that comes after a big win: keeping a team sharp without letting the practice field turn into a casualty list. Coming off the loss to Tulsa and the victory over Oregon, he said the staff has to manage the Beavers mindset carefully, making sure the energy stays high while the workload stays under control.
There is still a standard to meet in the next game, and Morris made clear that the expectations do not dip just because the emotions around the Oregon result have faded. Oregon State has to keep showing progress, keep its edge and avoid the natural lull that can follow an emotional breakthrough, especially with an opponent like Murray State next on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]