What A Game!
The Headline: The OSU Beavers gets their revenge.
While its considerably too early to compare the 2012 Beavers to the 1967 “Giant Killers”, this years’ squad started off the 2012 season on the right foot.
With a cancelled game against Nicholls State in the rear view, Oregon State officially opened up their season against the #13 ranked Wisconsin Badgers, attempting to shock the country by upsetting, yet another, top 10 team at home.
Upset was the occasion Saturday as Oregon State, led by their defense, put away the Badgers 10-7.
Say what you will about Wisconsin’s young season, but Oregon State showed up to play in a game that many thought they had no place competing in. It was just last year that OSU suffered a 35-0 drubbing at the hands of the Badgers and were more than willing to exact some revenge this year.
While it didn’t come by way of a shutout, the victory itself puts Oregon State on the right path to stepping out of the ugly shadow that was last season.
Offensive Game Ball
While the offense left much to be desired on Saturday, there were some positives that could be taken from the performance. I’m giving this week’s offensive game ball to quarterback Sean Mannion. There was some rust on the young quarterback as the offense could only muster 10 points, but what did you expect in the first game for Oregon State?
Mannion, who completed 29 of 47 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown, looked poised to pick up where he left off at from a season ago. Benefiting from a sluggish run game, Mannion was given ample opportunity to showcase his arm.
The longest completion of the night came on a 33 yard strike to tight end Colby Prince, as Mannion mainly operated with short completions throughout the game.
The lone scoring strike, a 20 yard pass from Mannion to Brandin Cooks, was executed wonderfully as Cooks, running a 15 yard post route, was left wide open before Mannion found the young receiver in the end-zone.
Although the Beavers had a hard time finding rhythm throughout the game, the production from 2nd year starter Sean Mannion was enough to not only secure a victory, but it also helped fend off any sophomore slump predictions.
Defensive Game Ball
There wasn’t just one person in general that sticks out on the Beaver defense from this past weekend.
Sure you can look at how DJ Welch was just named PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Week, or Ryan Murphy’s game changing interception, or Dylan Wynn’s sack and forced fumble after the Beavers’ botched punt, but each and every member of this defense deserves the game ball.
The D deserves a game ball. Wisconsin scored with just 1:31 left. That’s it!
You hear the term “team effort” get thrown around a lot, and while it may sound cliche, the Beavers’ defensive performance this past Saturday was a team effort.
I haven’t even mentioned the play of Jordan Poyer yet, from tipped passes, to recording a sack, or how underrated corner back Rashaad Reynolds had 7 total tackles on the day. I can go on and on.
From the start of the game, to the final whistle, OSU’s defense impressed on nearly every level. They swarmed the ball carrier, played extremely physical and never game up the “big play”. Wisconsin’s Heisman hopeful running back, Montee Ball, ran for just 61 yards and was held out of the end-zone for the first time in 21 games; that’s nearly a season and half of being automatic.
Wisconsin’s only scoring drive came with just 1:31 left on the clock in the 4th quarter; a successful defensive day by any standards.
Special Teams Game Ball
Many fans of Oregon State have had a love/hate relationship with the Beavers’ place kickers. There was the infamous LSU game, in which Alexis Serna personally threw away what would have arguably been one of the biggest road wins in OSU history. There was Justin Kahut (no explanation necessary).
And now there’s Trevor Romaine.
To Romaine’s credit, he was a true freshman kicker last year, but still held his own. Connecting on 15-22 field goals a year ago, Romaine hopes to improve on his kicking percentage if he is to see fans lean more towards the love side of the spectrum, than the hate.
Saturday was by no means a dominant performance from Romaine, as he hit 1-2 field goals and connected on the lone extra point try.
Early in the 2nd quarter of Saturday’s contest, Romaine nailed a 43 yard field goal to give the Beavers a lead they would never relinquish.
Stats
Team Stats:
Total Yards – 354
Passing – 29-47 – 276 yards – 5.9 YPA
Rushing – 30 carries – 78 yards – 2.6 YPC
1st Downs – 18
Penalties – 8 – 75 yards
TOP – 35:35
Player Stats:
Sean Mannion: 29-47, 276 yards, 1 TD
Malcolm Agnew: 11 rushes, 45 yards, 4.1 avg.
Storm Woods: 9 rushes, 36 yards, 4.0 avg.
Markus Wheaton: 8 receptions, 87 yards, 10.9 avg.
Brandin Cooks: 6 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD, 13.3 avg.
Colby Prince: 4 receptions, 42 yards, 10.5 avg.