By : Ezra Hanshaw
(Photo/Ezra Hanshaw-The Mojo Network)
Oregon State looked to take on Sam Houston State in its final home game of the season. The Beavers, coming off a win against their rival Washington State, had high hopes moving into playing a Sam Houston team that had been winless entering this weekend's contest.
Sam Houston, who had been blown out in nearly every game this season, was offered $1.2 million in 2024 by the Beavers to agree to the matchup.
The Beavers started the game out strong, scoring 17 unanswered points with a pair of Anthony Hankerson rushing touchdowns and a field goal. The momentum was quickly halted when the Beavers QB Gabarri Johnson threw an interception that was returned down to the Oregon State 35-yard line with 1:20 left in the 2nd quarter. Sam Houston capitalized on the opportunity, throwing a 35-yard touchdown on the next play to Chris Reed. Oregon State was able to put together a drive and get out of bounds with one second left in the half to set up an opportunity for kicker Caleb Ojeda to kick a 41-yard field goal that was hooked and missed far left.
At halftime, the Beavers led 17–7, but Sam Houston entered the third quarter with momentum. After a penalty on the opening kickoff forced a re-kick, the Bearkats’ returner took the second attempt 96 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to three.
Oregon State’s next two offensive drives ended in a missed field goal and a turnover on downs. The game turned into a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to sustain drives.
With 8:30 remaining, the beaver went to punt the ball back to Sam Houston, which ended up being blocked and returned for a touchdown to go on top 21-17.
With limited time remaining and a beaver offense that was going against a defense that allowed an average of 40.9 points a game, they need to put together a series to get downfield and into the endzone. The beaver offense got down to the ten-yard line of Sam Houston and was held to fourth down and 3, down by 4 points; they needed to convert to have a chance. With Hankerson going into the flat wide open it was their chance to even get to the endzone, but was dropped. Resulting in another turnover on downs.
Hankerson, who had outrushed Sam Houston's entire offense by himself a had 5 catches out of the backfield, wasn't able to make the most crucial catch of the game.
The Beavers forced a 3 and out and got the ball back near midfield. The Beavers still had a chance until a ball that took a deflection was intercepted. Sam Houston only needed a first down to kneel the ball and go into victory formation. On third and 18, the Sam Houston QB dropped back to throw a screen pass, which was picked off at their own 30-yard line.
The Beavers had multiple chances in good territory to put points of any form on the board, but with a lack of confidence in special teams, they opted to go for it on the majority of their 4th downs. Beavers with 1 timeout and a short field had to move quickly. They were able to get down to the 23-yard line, where they faced another 4th down that ended up being an incomplete pass to turn the ball over, ending the game.
Sam Houston got their first win of the season, despite being outgained in passing yards (286-85), rushing yards (188-72), first downs, 3rd down efficiency, and time of possession. The Beavers on the stat sheet dominated in the game.
The common theme for the Beavers this season had been special teams miscues, losing close games because of blocked punts and missed field goals.
With the season nearing an end and the remainder of their games on the road, it is important to get wins in the column to prevent players from leaving for the transfer portal.