Oregon State football prepped for senior day, looking for third straight win
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Oregon State football has rattled off two wins in a row since its disastrous 0-7 start.
After taking down FCS squad Lafayette, Oregon State returned from a bye to beat Pac-12 adversary Washington State, 10-7, last week. Now, the opportunity for a third consecutive win is at the Beavers’ doorstep.
Oregon State will host Sam Houston, of Conference USA, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis.
The Texas-based university is a meager 0-8 this season, including a 55-0 loss at Texas on Sept. 20. And the trip to Corvallis comes at a point in time where Oregon State is feeling its best. Under interim head coach Robb Akey, who’s won both games he’s coached, the Beavers are smiling, playing better football and churning results.
“I think you’re starting to see guys play more free and that’s something we will build off of and grow from,” Akey said.
Akey’s words were on display last Saturday, Nov. 1, against Washington State.
The Beavers posted a season-high six sacks while holding WSU to a season-low seven points. Oregon State’s offense didn’t look the best, but the defense delivered the performance of the season against a quality opponent.
Sam Houston, which transitioned from FCS to FBS in 2023, is undergoing a toilsome season through a winless eight games. It’ll be a lesser-quality opponent for the Beavers, but one that’s not to be ignored or stepped over.
“They’re a team that’s having a hard time right now,” Akey said. “I think there’s some similarities in what they’ve been going through in regards to (them) being a few plays away from having a few wins in them.”
Akey said that makes the Bearkats hungrier, more-ready opponents.
“It’s a snake-bit team that’s looking for their first opportunity,” the coach said.
Gabbari Johnson expected to be healthy, Akey says
Prior to the game last Saturday, Akey suggested, and hinted, that there might be a quarterback change. All week there was silence around whether regular starting quarterback Maalik Murphy would start, or if redshirt sophomore Gabarri Johnson would lead the charge for the first time.
The answer didn’t come until the first offensive drive of the game, when Johnson took the field with the offense as Murphy remained on the sidelines.
In his first career start, Johnson completed 10 of 15 passes for 33 yards and rushed for 9 yards on four carries. It wasn’t the most offensively explosive performance, as he and the OSU struggled to score a touchdown or gain any momentous traction.
Midway through the third quarter, Johnson left the game with a lower-body injury and didn't return. Akey said Johnson is expected to be healthy and back playing this week.
“We’ve had our medical check-ins since then and he’s going to practice and go,” Akey said. “As long as it goes well during the week, there should be no change there.”
Murphy and running back Anthony Hankerson then led a go-ahead touchdown drive that was enough to eventually be the game-winner. Murphy completed 2 of 3 passes for 27 yards while Hankerson rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown.
That said, Akey announced that no changes will be made to the starting quarterback role from last week, barring more injury.
Senior day for the Beavers
It’s senior day for the Beavers. Akey said 16 or 17 guys will be walking out on the Reser Stadium field for the last time.
Among them are Hankerson, wide receiver Trent Walker and defensive backs Kobe Singleton, Mason White and Skyler Thomas.
“Senior year … I don’t know how else to put it,” White said. “Friends and family coming out, a couple of them for the first time, it’s a nice experience.”
With 0-8 Sam Houston in the building and Oregon State on a 2-0 hot streak, the opportunity for another fun evening for the home crowd is there.
“We’ve got an open invitation to all of Beaver Nation to come out there and get the chance to see these guys put on a show for you one more time,” Akey said. “Let them know what you think of them, that they’re important, and I promise you this; they’re going to play their tails off and work to make it a fun night.”
“You’ll never ever forget the last game you play at home,” Akey added.
Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at lbartlett@salem.gannett.com or on X or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon State football set for home finale with Sam Houston
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