Oregon State running back AJ Newberry got national recognition on Tuesday afternoon after his big day against Washington State earned him one of 10 honorable mentions for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week for the seventh week of the college football season.
Newberry was a major reason the Beavers rolled past the Cougars 48-30 in Corvallis. He handled 11 carries for 105 rushing yards and added five receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown through the air, turning in a rare all-around performance. In the process, the transfer from Vanderbilt became the first Oregon State player in more than 20 years to top 100 yards both rushing and receiving in the same game.
“He played hard. He played like he was frustrated, and wanted to find a way to play better for this football team,” head coach JaMarcus Shephard said postgame of his running back.
“I always want our guys to have a little chip on their shoulders, and he does. I just told him 'thank you for trusting us.'
You know,he could've went to a lot of other schools and decided to come here.And you know what, he played really really well today. Tonight it was a special experience watching him play the game that way.”
The award recognition fits with what Newberry has done so far this season. Through Oregon State’s first seven games, he has rushed 65 times for 431 yards, an average of 6.6 yards per carry, and three touchdowns. He has also been a factor in the passing game with 24 catches for 288 yards and another score.
Newberry’s eligibility for the award lines up with the honor’s requirements, since he is a native of Grand Prairie, Texas and a graduate of South Grand Prairie High School. Players considered for the award must have played football and graduated from a Texas high school, and/or be playing at a four-year Division I Texas college.
Oregon State is off to a 5-2 start and has won five straight. The Beavers have averaged 527 yards per game during that stretch, a figure that ranks among the top five in FBS. Their bye week comes this weekend, and they will return to action on Saturday, October 31, when they travel to Fresno State.
In Other News...
Washington State Upset Hopes Rest On A Few Cougars Stepping Up
Washington State heads into its upcoming matchup with 21st-ranked Boise State knowing the margin for error is slim, and the Cougars path to an upset likely starts with a few players stepping into larger roles. The spotlight is on the new starting quarterback, but the bigger picture is just as important: WSU has to find answers against a Boise State team that brings a strong rushing attack and enough balance to make every possession matter.
For the Cougars, the pressure points are obvious. Third-down execution could decide whether they can sustain drives, and the defense will need to create more disruption than it has at times this season to tilt the field in its favor. Boise States passing game adds another layer of difficulty, which means Washington State cannot afford to be ordinary in the trenches or passive in coverage if it wants to keep the Broncos from controlling the game. [Read more 🡒]
Boise States Playoff Grip Suddenly Looks Less Comfortable
Boise State still sits in the drivers seat in the Group of Six playoff race, but the cushion is no longer quite as comfortable as it looked a week ago. DraftKings Sportsbook has the Broncos as the favorite to claim that spot at +148, yet James Madison has climbed right behind them at +190 after its latest win, adding another layer of pressure to a race that seemed to be settling in Boise States favor.
For Washington State, the backdrop matters because the Cougars are headed into Saturdays matchup with a Boise State team that is trying to keep its playoff path clear while not letting the noise get in the way. Broncos coach Spencer Danielson has stressed that his program is focused on daily performance rather than rankings, but the odds board shows how quickly a single result elsewhere can tighten the picture around a team trying to protect its place. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State Revives A Homecoming Tradition Fans Know Well
Washington State is bringing back a familiar look for Homecoming, with the Cougars set to go all-crimson against Boise State. Its become one of the programs signature alternate combinations, used every year since 2017, and this years appearance adds another chapter to a uniform set that has developed a clear identity with fans over time.
The crimson look has shown up in a handful of memorable spots during its run, and the schools recent approach to uniform selection has only made those choices feel more event-driven. Homecoming gives the Cougars a chance to lean into that tradition again, with a game-day presentation that carries a little extra weight even before the ball is kicked. [Read more 🡒]