By : Ezra Hanshaw
(Photo/Ezra Hanshaw-The Mojo Network)
The Cougars, who were 4-4 heading into the matchup with the Beavers, have had a solid start to the season. Recently, they went down to the wire against both No.7 Ole Miss and No.12 Virginia, only to come out on the losing end of both affairs. Offensively, they have struggled to put up the numbers their fans are used to seeing, with their highest point total of the season being 28 points coming last week against Toledo, with hopes it would continue into the battle against the Beavers.
After a slow offensive start to the day, the two teams went into the second quarter scoreless, with both defensive sides making impact plays. Oregon State was able to get on the board first with a 35-yard field goal with under 3 minutes left in the half after being set up by a Jahid Patterson interception and return, but the Cougars had a solid drive to score a rushing touchdown before halftime to go up 7-3.
Although both teams came out of the locker room with high hopes of putting points on the board, the third quarter was a scoreless quarter as well, with both teams' front sevens battling. Because of a foot injury to Gabarri Johnson the Beavers were forced to lean on a familiar face, previous starter, Maalik Murphy, which meant the Beavers needed someone to step up and lead the team to victory. That someone ended up being Anthony Hankerson. After breaking free for a 38-yard rush to get onto the goal line, he was able to punch it in for the touchdown and put his team back up on top 10-7 with 9:50 left in the game. After a set of back-and-forth empty drives, the Beavers, with a fourth and three, elected to punt away the ball and rely on their defense to seal the game. Unfortunately for the Beavers, they punted to the Cougars' sensational return man, who caught the ball at the Cougars' own 10-yard line and took off, returning it 47 yards to the Beavers 44 44-yard line, just short of the original line of scrimmage.
With only 4 minutes left in the game and Washington State only needing a field goal to force overtime, the Beavers needed to make a defensive stand. After allowing the Cougars to gain a couple of important first downs, the Beavers' defense stood strong and made a huge third-down stop. The stop forced the Cougars to attempt a 33-yard field goal, which was missed wide right, giving the Beavers the narrow victory.
The Beavers, who were outgained in passing yards and rushing yards, were able to get a huge program win over a rival. The Oregon St defense had the Cougar offense under pressure the entire game, getting 6 sacks, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble. While their offense was held together by Hankerson, who had 25 carries for 132 yards and the lone touchdown in the game.
The Beavers and Cougars are set to play each other again in the last week of the regular season in Pullman, WA, on November 29th, in a match-up both squads look forward to.
After a solid team win, the Beavers look to take on Sam Houston State for their final home game of the season. The game is set to have a 7 pm kickoff.