In their first game against each other since 2016, the Oregon State Beavers welcomed the Boise State Broncos to Corvallis and won 34-17.

This also marks the first time that OSU has won a season-opening game after having gone through six seasons with 0-1 situations. 

“That first step one out of 12 is all that you’re guaranteed,” said defensive back Jaydon Grant about the win. “I know everybody always gets so high because of the anticipation you’re waiting so long to play the first game, but it’s a long season.

Despite a rocky start from both teams’ offenses entering the game, including an early fumble recovery by Boise State, the Beavers began to gain their footing with help from a solid defense that held strong throughout the first half. 

With just minutes left in the first quarter Oregon State tight end, Luke Musgrave, scored off a 27 yard pass from quarterback Chance Nolan. Nolan would follow up with another scoring pass, this time to wide receiver Tyjon Lindsey for 47 yards. Both PAT kicks were good, leaving the score 14-0, in Oregon State’s favor. 

“Chance has always had the ability to throw the ball downfield,” said Oregon State senior Jack Colletto on Nolan’s performance. “I think that’s what makes him a really good quarterback is the fact that you can stretch defenses.”

The second quarter saw similar results as the Beavers tacked on another 10 points, off of a successful field goal from Beaver junior Everett Hayes and a 12 yard rush from running back Deshaun Fenwick. 

Entering the second half, both of the Beaver’s offense and defense struggled as multiple penalties slowed down what should’ve been an easy score following a 40-plus yard pass from Nolan that left OSU at the two yard line. Rather than the full six points, Oregon State was forced to settle for a field goal score from Hayes, leaving the score 27-3. 

Before the quarter could end, the Broncos made a quarterback change, and brought in their back up, Taylen Green. Shortly after this decision, Green managed to score off of a 74-yard  touchdown run. With a successful PAT, the score came to 27-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

Boise would score yet again just minutes into the final quarter along with another good PAT, leaving the score at 27-17. 

While the game may have been brought close with the last drive from Boise, Colletto rebuilt the gap with a 41-yard run bringing the score to 34-17, giving the Beavers some momentum back.

OSU sophomore Alex Austin’s interception in the next Bronco drive gave another window to score for the offense that, while it didn’t end in a Beaver scoring, it did mean one less chance to score for Boise.

A missed PAT attempt by Boise State’s Jonah Dalmas in the final minute of the game was the last chance to score for the Broncos, who ended the game with exactly half the score of their opponents.

In a game riddled with penalties,10 for a loss of 100 yd, and other self-inflicted setbacks including an interception thrown by Nolan meant to be thrown out of bounds, Smith was still very pleased with his team’s performance, especially with the defense.

“[They were] forcing some throws, making plays on the ball, and that physicality and our tackling showed up for the ball to come out a couple of times,” Smith said. “This win was definitely led by the defense.”

Up next, the Beavers are set to face the Fresno State Bulldogs at Fresno’s Bulldog Stadium Saturday, September 10.

Highlights:

• OSU’s offense passed for a total of 292 yards, with 251 coming from Nolan alone
• Grant, sophomore Alex Austin, and senior Rejzohn Wright all earned an interception, with Grant forcing an additional two fumbles as well.
• Boise State quarterback Taylen Green rushed 74 yards to score a touchdown against OSU