Oregon State’s 2025 season kicked off with a thud at Reser Stadium, as the Beavers fell 34-15 to the California Golden Bears in a game that exposed early-season cracks in a program navigating its new reality as an independent. A true freshman quarterback, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, stole the show for Cal, but for Beaver fans, the focus is on what went wrong and what needs fixing before Fresno State visits next Saturday. Here are the key takeaways from a disappointing night in Corvallis.
1. Slow Start Sets a Brutal Tone The Beavers were flat-footed from the opening whistle, and it cost them dearly. An illegal substitution penalty on defense after forcing a three-and-out gave Cal’s opening drive new life, leading to a 19-yard touchdown pass from Sagapolutele to tight end Mason Mini. Oregon State’s offense didn’t fare better, with quarterback Maalik Murphy dropping his first snap (he recovered) and the unit managing just 38 yards in the first quarter compared to Cal’s 174. By the time the Beavers blinked, they were down 14-0, with Cal’s freshman QB looking like a seasoned vet. Starting faster—on both sides of the ball—has to be priority one moving forward.
2. Run Game Goes Missing Oregon State’s identity has long been its punishing ground attack, but it was nowhere to be found against Cal. Star running back Anthony Hankerson was stifled, managing 44 yards on 15 carries, with nearly half coming on a single 14-yard burst. The Beavers finished with a measly 65 rushing yards total, as Cal’s defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage. The offensive line struggled to open holes, and without a reliable run game, the offense became one-dimensional, putting extra pressure on Murphy. If OSU can’t rediscover its ground-and-pound roots, this season could be a long one.
3. Maalik Murphy’s Mixed Bag In his Beaver debut, Duke transfer Maalik Murphy showed why he’s been hyped but also why he’s still a work in progress. He finished 21-of-33 for 244 yards, with one interception and a 3-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, though he limped off afterward, raising durability concerns. Murphy found a go-to target in wideout Trent Walker, who racked up nine catches for 136 yards, including a 30-yard grab in the second and a 31-yarder early on. But drops, miscommunications, and an interception to Cal’s Hezekiah Masses (returned to the OSU 2, setting up a touchdown) stalled drives. Murphy’s flashes of potential—especially on an 11-play, 84-yard scoring drive in the third—offer hope, but consistency is the next step.
4. Defensive Line Depth Issues Surface Early The Beavers’ defense was already a concern heading into 2025, and the opener didn’t ease those worries. By the second series, redshirt junior transfer Tahjae Mullix—a fourth-stringer not even on the three-deep depth chart—was seeing significant snaps on the defensive line. While Mullix held his own, his heavy usage underscores a glaring lack of depth up front. Cal’s offense, led by Sagapolutele’s quick release, exploited this, racking up 174 yards in the first quarter alone. The absence of top cornerback Exodus Ayers didn’t help, leaving the secondary vulnerable as Sagapolutele threw for 234 yards and three touchdowns. Reinforcements or adjustments are critical.
5. Special Teams Struggles Add to the Woes Punt coverage was a disaster for Oregon State. Punter A.J. Winsor averaged a solid 44.6 yards on five kicks, but Cal’s return game gashed the Beavers for an average of 26 yards on three returns. The returner consistently sidestepped the first gunner and found open lanes, exposing a lack of discipline and speed in coverage. If this isn’t shored up, every opponent on the schedule—starting with Fresno State—will look to exploit it.
Bright Spots Amid the Gloom It wasn’t all doom and gloom. Trent Walker emerged as a legitimate weapon, giving Murphy a reliable target and showing he can be a centerpiece of the passing game. Kicker Caleb Ojeda, in his debut, nailed a 53-yard field goal in the second quarter, cutting Cal’s lead to 14-3 and proving he’s got range. The defense, while shaky early, settled in during the second quarter, forcing a few stops before the half. And despite the lopsided score, the Beavers showed fight, with Murphy’s late rushing score and a negated 102-yard interception return (due to a Cal penalty) keeping them in it longer than the final margin suggested.
Looking Ahead At 0-1, Oregon State faces a quick turnaround against Fresno State on Sept. 6 at Reser Stadium. Coach Trent Bray’s squad needs to address the anemic run game, bolster the defensive line, and tighten up special teams to avoid an 0-2 start. Murphy’s connection with Walker is a foundation to build on, but the offense must diversify its options, and the defense can’t afford to lean on fourth-stringers. Saturday’s loss was a wake-up call for a program in transition—one that’s banking on a revived Pac-12 in 2026 but needs to find its footing now. The Beavers have the talent to rebound, but this opener showed just how much work lies ahead.
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