Beavers Pull Away From Bears In Strawberry Canyon Shootout
Oregon State won its last trip to Strawberry Canyon for at least a long while. But the 52-40 shootout was more reminiscent of the "Sonny ball" era of almost a decade ago than a showdown of supposedly strong defenses.
The Beavers had lost 4 of the last 6 trips to Berkley, and came into their last conference game against the quasi-Golden Bears with a banged up secondary, and that was part of the problem, as Cal continually fought back every time Oregon State attempted to assert themselves. And they did that with freshman Fernando Martinez making his collegiate debut at quarterback. Martinez threw for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns, the 1-2 punch of Jaydin Ott and Isaiah Ifanse rolled up 85 & 86 yards respectively, and 2 more Bear scores. Both broke off 24 yard runs, and Cal rolled up just shy of 450 yards.
But DJ Uiagalelei connected on 19 of 25 passes, for 245 yards, and 5 touchdowns, 3 to TE Jack Velling, above. Adian Chiles had his now regularly scheduled 3rd drive of the game, and led a touchdown drive too, completing both of his passes, including a touchdown toss to Silas Bolden to open a 14-3 lead early in the 2nd quarter. Bolden also had a pair of long kick returns to set up scoring drives. Bolden did leave the game late, after laying out to attempt a diving catch. His status for next week will be critical to monitor.
And though Velling was the touchdown machine, Anthony Gould was the reception machine, with a game high 117 yards on 7 catches. Jesiah Irish and, of all people, DE/FB Isaac Hodgins also grabbed touchdown tosses from Uiagalelei.
And the Beavers' 1-2 rushing punch was almost the equal of Cal's as Damian Martinez ran 17 times for 89 yards, both game highs. Deshaun Fenwick added 76 more yards on 15 carries.
Before the game ending kneel down, the Beavers had rolled up 501 total yards, but had to settle for 499.
Turned out, Oregon State needed their best offensive production of the season, and that was partially their own fault.
After a fast start, a defensive stop followed by a touchdown drive, the Beavers did their best to self-destruct, with a play call that failed even though it worked, but short of first down yardage deep in their own territory. The short field yielded a gift field goal. And after Chiles' scoring drive, Oregon State, up 14-3 and in control, for no good reason, attempted a squib kick, which Cal not only recovered, but returned to the Beaver 19 yard line. And a very short field touchdown.
That made the Beavers vulnerable to losing the lead, which they did after a fumble near midfield led to another short field Bear touchdown, and a 17-14 lead.
Uiagalelei found Velling 2 minutes before halftime to get the Beavers back in front 21-17 at halftime, and a minute and a half into the 3rd quarter, Uiagalelei hit Jesiah Irish for another touchdown.
But after another touchdown swap, Cal capitalized on a completely blown coverage that allowed the Bears to climb back within 3 points, down only 35-32 after 3 quarters.
Uiagalelei, above, and the Beavers answered with 17 consecutive points in the 4th quarter, enough to cover the spread, after Cal could only add 1 touchdown, with a minute to go.
Oregon State improved to 5-1, and 2-1 in conference, despite a dreadful defensive performance (8 days after their best effort of the season), and after the evening long series of disaster inviting game management mistakes.
Oregon State's 12 point win was only possible by converting on 5 of 5 4th down conversions attempted. That is not sustainable by any stretch of the imagination.
And while it worked out, the decision to risk disrupting the rhythm of the offense at the point the drive was given to Chiles was disconcerting at best.
The Beavers return home, for homecoming, next Saturday, against UCLA. The Bruins are also 5-1 & 2-1, after beating previously undefeated Washington State 25-17.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com