The “Pac-2” championship is only the beginning of the Oregon State Beavers’ tough end to their season going 5-6, as they now head on the road to the home of a possible future Heisman.
After a thrilling end to their final home game of the year, the Beavers defeated the Washington State Cougars 41-38 on a last-second fumble and field goal, but the work is not done yet.
The Beavers will now take to the road and face off against the No. 11 Boise State Broncos and their leading man; Heisman finalist, and the country’s leading rusher, running back Aston Jeanty.
“They do a great job in the run game, just their design, their chips and motion to get you unbalanced on defense,” head coach Trent Bray said, “And then, the kid is [just] unbelievable.”
The star running back averages almost 190 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns per game. Whilst also averaging nearly eight yards per carry.
“Trying to stop him you gotta get hats to him, you gotta eliminate one-on-one tackles with him, that’s not in favor of the defense when you gotta go one-on-one with him,” Bray said.
It’s been the question of the season for their opponents on how to slow Jeanty down.
“Tackle him, get him on the ground. We gotta tackle low, kill his motors, and get hats to the ball. He’s the guy that makes their whole operation work,” defensive coordinator Keith Heyward said.
The Beavers will also look to their backfield for support this weekend coming off a three rushing touchdown and 170-yard performance against the Cougars.
“I’ve never had any doubt in my mind on these guys, they come to work ready…We have to find ways to execute, and understand what we are doing and have a really good idea of what that game plan is and execute,” offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson said. “They’re big, stout, [they] have really good players, and have a really good scheme. They create challenges for an offense good.”
In spite of the incredible upset win vs the Cougars, according to ESPN, the Beavers are big underdogs against the Broncos, favored at only 8.3% against Bosie’s 91.7% chance of winning this ball game.
The Beavers will take on Jeanty and the Broncos this Saturday at 9 am.