Oregon State’s football team suffered a crushing 45-14 defeat to No. 21 Texas Tech on Saturday, dropping the Beavers to 0-3 for the first time since 2011. The game, marred by a two-and-a-half-hour lightning delay, exposed significant issues in effort, discipline, and execution across all phases of the game. Below are the key takeaways from the Beavers’ performance, drawn from multiple reports and analyses.
1. Lack of Effort and Physicality Defined the Loss
Head coach Trent Bray took full responsibility for the team’s lackluster performance, emphasizing a lack of effort and physicality as the game’s defining shortcomings. Bray noted, “The disappointing thing was, I thought we didn’t play with much effort or willingness to be physical. That’s my fault.” This was particularly evident in defensive lapses, such as allowing first downs on third-and-26 and third-and-22 plays due to jogging to the ball on screen passes. These mental and physical lapses allowed Texas Tech to capitalize, scoring two touchdowns that could have been limited to field goals with better effort. Bray stressed that this lack of intensity is “100% controllable” and must be fixed, starting with himself and the coaching staff.
2. Special Teams Remain a Work in Progress
Oregon State’s special teams unit, plagued by issues in previous games, showed slight improvement but remained a liability. The Beavers resorted to unconventional measures, such as using starting center Van Wells as the long snapper for punts, with punter AJ Winsor positioned just eight yards behind the line of scrimmage to expedite snaps. While this led to cleaner punts compared to prior weeks, the short distance resulted in poor field position, often giving Texas Tech the ball near midfield. A missed 47-yard field goal attempt, exacerbated by a poor snap from backup long snapper Will Haverland, further highlighted ongoing issues. The fact that a Division I program lacks a reliable backup long snapper, especially after starter Dylan Black’s injury, underscores a critical area of concern.
3. Defensive Struggles Persist, Especially in Pass Rush
Despite Bray’s background as a defensive coordinator, Oregon State’s defense failed to meet expectations. Texas Tech amassed 599 yards of total offense, with 464 yards passing from quarterback Behren Morton, who threw four touchdowns. The Beavers recorded their first sack of the season (shared by Shamar Meikle and Thomas Collins), but their inability to consistently pressure Morton allowed him to exploit OSU’s secondary with deep shots to receivers like Coy Eakin (38-yard TD) and Caleb Douglas (61-yard TD). The absence of key edge rusher Kai Wallin further strained the pass rush, and Bray’s defensive scheme struggled to adapt, leaving the Beavers vulnerable to Texas Tech’s high-octane offense.
4. Offensive Inefficiency and Lack of Creativity
The Beavers’ offense, led by quarterback Maalik Murphy, struggled to find rhythm against Texas Tech’s formidable defensive line. Running back Anthony Hankerson was stifled, gaining just 12 yards on 11 carries, as the offensive line failed to open holes. Murphy completed 24 out of 43 passes for 278 yards but threw two interceptions, both off his back foot into traffic, echoing bad habits from his time at Duke. The offense lacked creativity, with minimal use of misdirection, motion, or tight ends like Bryce Caufield, who scored a late touchdown but remains underutilized. Offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson must find ways to get skill players like Hankerson and Salahadin Allah in space to counter strong defensive fronts.
5. Late-Game Bright Spots Offer Hope
Despite the blowout, Oregon State showed signs of life in the fourth quarter against Texas Tech’s backups. A 56-yard, one-handed catch by David Wells Jr. set up a 6-yard touchdown pass from Murphy to Caufield, marking OSU’s first score with 5:05 remaining. Later, an interception by Harlem Howard, aided by pressure from Meikle, led to a 26-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Gabarri Johnson to Karson Boschma, his first career score. These plays, while in garbage time, highlighted the potential of young players and skill position talent. However, the Beavers’ inability to compete with Texas Tech’s starters for three quarters underscores the gap they must close.
Looking Ahead: A Daunting Challenge
Oregon State’s 0-3 start, coupled with a lack of discipline (e.g., two false starts on the opening drive) and confidence, sets up a daunting matchup against No. 4 Oregon this coming Saturday at Autzen Stadium. The Beavers’ 18-game road losing streak against ranked opponents, dating back to 2012, adds pressure to a rivalry game that could exacerbate their early-season woes. Bray’s emphasis on fixing effort and physicality will be critical, as will schematic adjustments to bolster the pass rush and offensive creativity. Without significant improvements, Oregon State risks further unraveling in what is shaping up to be a challenging 2025 season.
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