JaMarcus Shephard is expecting a physical one this weekend, and he made that much clear Monday morning.
Washington State, he said, is bringing plenty of juice into Corvallis, and Oregon State will need to match it snap for snap.
“Washington State has multiple impact players emerging on both sides of the ball,” Shephard said in his opening statement. “But most importantly, I think they're playing some really good defense. Coach Moore and his staff are doing a really good job, and I think we're gonna end up having to meet them on the field with intensity, because they are going to bring a lot of it.”
Shephard also took time to acknowledge former Beavs head coach Trent Bray, who is set for his first return trip since being fired last season.
“Just so we're clear, there is a gentlemen on the other side of the field in their defensive coordinator who is very important to this community. He's spent a lot of time here, we have a ton of respect for him and what he's brought into this program in the past.”
The Beavers are trying to tighten things up in practice this week, with Shephard stressing fundamentals and process after last week’s win over San Diego State.
“We're gonna spend this week gettin' back to our fundamental elements though, Shephard continued. “What we did against San Diego State is really about continuing to push our process as a football team and where we can improve.
As I mentioned after the game, right now we are within one of the most critical parts of our season in the middle eight. We're proud of what we've put forth so far, but it's important that we put the pressure on ourselves to continue to improve.
That to me is what championship teams are made of, they find ways to improve throughout the entire season.”
Oregon State’s injury situation also remains worth watching. Inside linebacker Kord Shaw won’t be available “anytime soon,” while offensive lineman Josiah Timoteo is getting closer to a return. Still, the staff isn’t planning to rush him back.
Depth is becoming a bigger issue, and it’s also creating opportunities for new faces to make an impact. Duquesne transfer linebacker Jabari Odoemenem was one of the standout performers in the blowout win over San Diego State, finishing with seven tackles, one for a loss, and an interception.
“You got a room full of guys who all have their niche in that room,” Shephard noted. “Then you bring in a kid like Jabari who is trying to find where he fits amongst all the rest of the guys...and we challenged him last week, heavily.
Everyone was challenging Jabari to be the best version of a player that he can be. I'll tell you what, it was amazing to watch it.
You know he was frustrated last week, and he found a way to come back and play his tail off for our football team. Found a way to tackle great, making fourth down stops, did a great job in coverage.
I try to challenge him in every way possible man.”
Even with the strong start, Oregon State still hasn’t cracked either major poll. Shephard said he’s not paying much attention to that until his team secures something more concrete, starting with a chance to move one step closer to bowl eligibility. A win this week would give the Beavers five victories, leaving them one short of the six needed to clinch a bowl spot.
“I think I said this earlier in the year, that they start ranking these teams way before anybody's played a game, and that some teams have the opportunity to stumble and still be right there. Again, I think it's really hard to know for sure, especially in this day and age. Where our team stacks up, I won't really know for a couple more weeks, if I'm being honest with you.”
In Other News...
Washington State's Season Pressure Builds In A Brutal Trip To Oregon State
Washington State heads into Reser Stadium still trying to find its footing, and the matchup with Oregon State arrives with the Cougars staring at a 1-5 record and plenty of pressure to show something different on offense. The Beavers, meanwhile, come in at 4-2 and dealing with their own injury concerns, a setup that makes this a useful measuring stick for both sides as the Cougars look for any sign of progress.
The intrigue for Washington State is the reset under center, a move designed to give the offense a jolt in a season that has sputtered too often. Oregon States availability report also matters here, especially with key injuries thinning the Beavers, and the Cougars will be hoping those gaps can help them stay competitive on the road while fans follow along with the broadcast details and the latest pregame updates. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State Turns To Owen Eshelman As Offensive Pressure Mounts
The quarterback shuffle in Pullman has finally arrived after Washington State spent the early part of the season searching for more consistency on offense. Owen Eshelman is now the starter, giving the Cougars a new direction after a stretch of uneven production with Caden Pinnick under center, and head coach Kirby Moore pointed to Eshelmans preparation, leadership and readiness as reasons for the move.
For a team that has been waiting for the offense to find its footing, the timing matters as much as the decision itself. Washington State does not have much margin for error now, and the change adds a fresh layer of urgency heading into the next game as the Cougars try to solve a problem that has lingered for weeks. [Read more 🡒]
WSU Heads Into Oregon State With Key Week 1 Decisions Looming
Washington States first injury report of the week offered an early look at how much shuffling might be needed before the Cougars head to Oregon State. Linebacker Jack Ellison is no longer on the report, a positive sign as the team starts sorting through availability for a game that could hinge on depth and flexibility across both lines and the secondary.
The bigger concern is the cluster of players still listed as questionable, a group that includes key pieces on the edge, in the defensive backfield, and up front at left tackle. Linebacker Nylan Brown is already ruled out for the season, leaving Washington State with at least one long-term hole to manage while it waits to see how the rest of the week unfolds. [Read more 🡒]