A Glaring Collapse for the Beavers

CORVALLIS — In a thrilling showdown at Reser Stadium, the Oregon State Beavers faced a shocking downfall against Fresno State, culminating in a heartbreaking 36-27 defeat. While coaches often emphasize the significance of special teams, for Oregon State, those very units proved to be their Achilles' heel.

Unraveled by Mistakes

Fresno State (2-1) capitalized on a series of mistakes by the Beavers, scoring 10 critical points in the final 29 seconds, including a clutch 43-yard field goal by Dylan Lynch that sealed the deal. This loss marks Oregon State's 0-2 start, their worst beginning since 2020.

"Today was just a calamity of self-inflicted wounds, and we just couldn’t recover," lamented OSU head coach Trent Bray. He publicly acknowledged the impact of the botched special teams play—six bad snaps in total due to the absence of veteran long-snapper Dylan Black, who was out with an injury.

Offensive Firepower Wasted

Despite the special teams catastrophe, the Beavers' offense showcased remarkable talent, with quarterback Maalik Murphy passing for an impressive 371 yards and four touchdowns. Oregon State outgained Fresno State significantly, racking up 528 total yards to Fresno's 318.

Bray noted, "Just outperformed them in every category except one, but that’s the only one that mattered." After trailing 20-15 at halftime, Oregon State made a comeback, taking a brief 27-26 lead late in the game.

A Last-Minute Heartbreaker

With just 1:19 left, Murphy connected with David Wells Jr. for a 34-yard touchdown, but a failed two-point conversion left the door ajar for Fresno State. In a flurry of quick plays, the Bulldogs moved downfield effortlessly. Lynch's go-ahead kick and an interception return for a touchdown by Jakari Embry in the dying seconds added insult to injury for the beleaguered Beavers.

Highlight Performances Amid Disappointment

Despite the loss, Anthony Hankerson showcased a strong rushing performance with 136 yards, while Taz Reddicks had a standout receiving game with 11 catches for 158 yards. Murphy’s overall performance still inspires hope for the team.

Moving Forward

After a tumultuous start, the Beavers face a tough road ahead with ranked opponents Texas Tech and Oregon in the upcoming weeks. Bray emphasized the urgent need for improvement: "We’ve got to stop killing ourselves. If we don’t, it’s going to continue to look like this."

Next Matchup

Oregon State (0-2) will take on No. 24 Texas Tech (2-0) next Saturday, September 13, at 12:30 p.m. PT at Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas, televised on FOX.