Beavs Face Dawgs on the Road Saturday

Photo by: Scobel Wiggins/Oregon State Athletics

October 18, 2016 | Football

By: Oregon State Athletic Communications

THE SERIES/GAME FACTS
• Saturday is the 101st meeting in the series that goes back to 1897.
• UW leads the overall series 62-34-4.
• OSU trails the series in Seattle 19-35-2.
• UW has won the last three meetings in Seattle.
• OSU had a six-game win streak in the series, its longest, between 2004-09. Four of those wins were in Seattle, including back-to-back-to-back contests.
• The Beavers did not win a game in the series between 1986-2000, and won only once between 1975-2000 - the famed 1985 21-20 victory at Husky Stadium as then the biggest underdog to win a game in NCAA history (38 points) at the time.
• OSU outside receiver coach Brent Brennan was a graduate assistant coach (tight ends) at Washington in 1999.
• Washington associate head coach/offensive line coach Chris Strausser was a graduate assistant at Oregon State (1990-91).
• Washington offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith was a four-year letterman QB at Oregon State (1998-2001). More details below.
• Notable current records in the series: Most field goals made in one game (6, Alexis Serna, Nov. 5, 2005); Most kickoff return yards in Pac-12 history (305, Victor Bolden Jr., Nov. 23, 2013); Most all-purpose yards vs. OSU (371, Charles Frederick, Oct. 18, 2003); Most team yards passing (508 at UW, Oct. 24, 1998)* - Jonathan Smith threw for 469 yards in that game; Most interceptions thrown by an opposing QB (6, Sonny Sixkiller, Oct. 24, 1970); longest punt return vs. OSU (tie 92, Steve Bramwell, Oct. 12, 1963);

UW COORDINATOR/OSU RECORD HOLDER: Washington offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith was a four-year letterman at QB for the Beavers 1998-2001. Smith joined the program as a walkon in August 1997. Smith's first appearance was in the '98 season opener vs. Nevada (1-for-2 for 7 yards). He got his first chance to run the Beaver first team Oct. 17, 1998 against Arizona coming in for injured starter Terrance Bryant. The following week he once again entered the contest for an ailing Bryant at Husky Stadium - initially in the second quarter and then again in the third. Smith proceeded to pass for 469 yards against the Dawgs, a then-Beaver record. From that point, Smith was the starter through the 2001 season that included the Beavers winning the 2000 Fiesta Bowl (co-Pac-10 champions) and playing in the 1999 O'ahu Bowl. He passed for 9,680 career yards, since passed by Derek Anderson (11,249) and Sean Mannion (13,124). Smith left OSU as the all-time leader in passing yards, single season passing yards (3,053/'99), single season passing touchdowns (20/2000) and career passing touchdowns (55). He still holds the school record with a 97-yard pass to Chad Johnson against Stanford in 2000.

BROWNING ... FATHER AND SON: Washington quarterback Jake Browning is the son of former Oregon State signal caller Ed Browning. The elder Browning lettered for the Beavers in 1990 and '91. Ed Browning played in 13 games starting five over the course of his two seasons.

CREATING HAVOC: The Oregon State defense has shown marked improvement creating big plays in 2016. The Beavers have created 11 turnovers (five interceptions & six fumble recoveries) through six games. In 2015, OSU caused just 12 turnovers (eight INTs & four fumble recoveries) all season.

BRIGHT SPOT: Sophomore linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu has been a different player in 2016. Ugwoegbu earned a spot on the first string at outside linebacker in 2015 in what turned out to be a part-time role. He tallied 17 tackles including 2.0 tackles-for-loss and a sack. So far in 2016 through six games, Ugwoegbu has been one of the Beavers' biggest playmakers with 41 tackles, including a team-leading 7.5 tackles-for-loss and squad-best 3.5 sacks. In addition, he has a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pair of pass breakups. His 7.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks already exceed the team-highs from last year.

NOWHERE TO GO: The Oregon State defensive secondary has played well in the early going in 2016. The Beavers rank second in the Pac-12 and 21st in the nation in passing yards allowed at 146 yards per game. The secondary has accounted for four of the team's five interceptions and has recorded pass breakups on 24 other attempts to move the ball through the air. Plus the starting collection of CBs Treston Decoud and Xavier Crawford and safeties Devin Chappell and Brandon Arnold have pitched in three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Making the numbers more impressive is that CB Dwayne Williams, who was expected to be a starter in 2016, has missed three games due to two different injuries and remains out this week. In addition, fellow corner Jay Irvine and backup safety Landry Payne have both been lost for the season.

M.A.S.H. UNIT: The injury bug has once again bitten the Oregon State football program. Most notably, last week against Utah the Beavers lost quarterbacks on consecutive drives with starter Darell Garretson (ankle) out for the year and Conor Blount (knee) out at least this week. Joining Garretson on the sideline for the season are OL Sam Curtius, S Jonas Dahl, CB Jaydon Grant, CB Jay Irvine, DL Thor Katoa, S Landry Payne, TE Noah Togiai, TE Kenny Turnier, DE LaMone Williams. In addition, injuries and illness have prevented several others from playing through the first half of the season including: OL Gunnar Braden, OL Bobby Keenan, CB Charles Okonkwo and OL Robert Olson.

BECOMING THE NORM: OSU has accumulated more first downs via the rush than the pass for the second straight season. The Beavers have converted 55 first downs on the ground versus 42 through the air. Prior to 2015 the last time Oregon State had finished a season with more first downs on the ground was 2000.

RUSHING THE BALL: Two weeks ago, against California, the Beavers rushed for 474 yards - the most in the Gary Andersen era. It was the fourth-most rushing yards in school history and the most-ever against a conference opponent. The old record was 470 yards at Idaho in 1942 when both teams were members of the Pacific Coast Conference. The record against a current conference opponent in a league game was 428 at UCLA in 1994. OSU entered the game with 557 rushing yards through four games.

READY OR NOT: The OSU rushing attack through six games has been effective to the tune of 5.4 yards per carry (229 carries for 1,228 yards). That is a record-setting pace for a full season. The current record is 4.9 ypc (474 for 2,336) set in 1960

THE WRECKING NALL: Two weeks ago against Cal, sophomore running back Ryan Nall rushed for 221 yards on 14 carries, the 10th-best performance in school history. His former personal record was 174 yards at Oregon in 2015. It was his third career 100-yard game. In addition, Nall scored three touchdowns and now has seven TDs in his last six games over the past two seasons. Nall's 80-yard touchdown jaunt on the first play of the second half was the longest of his career and tied for the sixth-longest in school history.

TWO OF THE BEST: Starting wide receivers Victor Bolden Jr. and Jordan Villamin will spend the season climbing Oregon State's career receiving yards records list. Currently Bolden Jr. ranks 15th all-time at OSU with 1,518 receiving yards while Villamin is 21st with 1,287 yards.

BIG PLAY BOLDEN: Senior Victor Bolden Jr. has been all over the field for the Beavers through four games - as a wide receiver, running jet sweeps and reverses, and returning punts and kickoffs. In the early going, Bolden Jr. has punished teams for failing to account for him resulting in big plays for the Beavers. Bolden Jr. is the only player in the NCAA with two plays of 90+ yards - 92-yard jet sweep (second-longest rushing play in OSU history) against Idaho State and a 99-yard kickoff return against Boise State.

AIMING FOR THE CYCLE: Senior do-everything player Victor Bolden Jr. is one of 10 players in the nation to have scored touchdowns rushing, receiving and as a kick returner in 2016. Bolden notched a receiving touchdown in the season-opener at Minnesita, had a 92-yard touchdown run against Idaho State in Week 2, and returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against Boise State in Week 3.. Others that have accomplished the feat are Keion Davis (Marshall), Quadree Henderson (Pittsburgh), Adrian Killins (UCF), T.J. Logan (North Carolina), Tim McVey (Air Force), Joe Mixon (Oklahoma State), Rashaad Penny (San Diego State), Tony Pollard (Memphis) and John Ross (Washington).

DANGEROUS RETURNS: OSU ranks second in the Pac-12 and ranks 11th in the country for yards per kickoff return at 26.9. Senior Victor Bolden Jr. is also second in the conference and 11th in the nation with an average of 29.3 yards per return.

VIC IS ON A STREAK: Victor Bolden Jr. is tied for 17th in the nation for receptions in consecutive games played. Bolden Jr. has caught at least one pass in 30 games in a row in which he's played. Only Nate Phillips (40) of Arizona, River Cracraft (35) of Washington State and Christian McCaffrey (31) from Stanford have a longer streak in the Pac-12. Corey Davis (Western Michigan) and Robert Davis (Georgia State) lead the nation with receptions in 43 straight games.

OWENS MOVES INTO EIGHTH: Beaver kicker Garrett Owens has quietly moved up the record charts for field goals at OSU. He enters Saturday with 30 made field goals. Owens next target on the chart is Kieron Walford (1976-79) who made 32. He's made 30 of 40 field goals for a .750 percentage.

TRUE STUDENT-ATHLETES: Eleven Beavers either have or are on track to graduate by January. Juniors Kendall Hill, who was recently granted a sixth year of eligibility, graduated following summer term with a degree in human development and family sciences, and Garrett Owens, received his degree in sociology in the spring. In addition, Gavin Andrews (economics), Devin Chappell (economics), Rahmel Dockery (sociology), Sean Harlow (human development and family sciences), Ricky Ortiz (agricultural sciences), Caleb Saulo (sociology), Dustin Stanton (business administration), Noke Tago (human development and family sciences) and Sosaia Tauaho (liberal studies) are scheduled to graduate in December.

SHUFFLING THE DECK: Three weeks ago, senior offensive lineman Sean Harlow returned to the lineup against Colorado. Harlow's return from a season-ending injury last season against the Buffs at midseason created a ripple effect along the line with Blake Brandel moving from left tackle to right tackle, Dustin Stanton sliding from right tackle to right guard and Gavin Andrews moving inside from right guard to center. Brandel, Stanton and Andrews had never previously played their new positions in a game for the Beavers. Fred Lauina was the lone regular to remain in his usual position at left guard. Lauina ended up getting injured in the game sending true freshman Gus Lavaka into action at left guard finishing the complete revamp of the Beavers' offensive line.

FRESH FACES: So far in 2016 Oregon State coaches have called on 18 young players to make their OSU debuts. Eight true freshmen have played in the first half of the season including: QB Conor Blount, WR Trevon Bradford, OL Gus Lavaka, RB Artavis Pierce, LB Joah Robinett, K Adley Rutschman, LB Shemar Smith and LB Shemiah Unutoa-Whitson. In addition, redshirt freshmen DT Elu Aydon, WR Andre Bodden, OT Blake Brandel, CB Xavier Crawford, S Omar Hicks-Onu, LB Hamilton Hunt, CB Jay Irvine, S Jalen Moore, CB Shawn Wilson and TE Tuli Wily-Matagi have seen playing time for the first time in their careers. Robinett joined the group two weeks against Cal earning the start and finishing with five tackles. Last week against Utah Unutoa-Whitson received the first playing time of his career.

12 MORE FIRST TIMERS: Nine transfers have also been called upon to contribute including: RB Tim Cook, QB Darell Garretson, WR Timmy Hernandez, OL Brayden Kearsley, DE Phillip Napoleon, S Landry Payne, LB Wesley Payne, DT Paisa Savea and CB Kyle White. Juniors OL Sam Curtius and RB Marcus Greaves as well as sophomore OL Yanni Demogerontas have also taken their first snaps this season bringing the grand total of 2016 first-timers to 29 players making their collegiate debut for the Beavers.

NEW STARTERS: Eleven Oregon State players have registered the first starts of their careers. Sophomore Yanni Demogerontas started the first two games of the season at center earning the first snaps of his career. In addition, redshirt freshmen DT Elu Aydon, LT Blake Brandel, CB Xavier Crawford and CB Jay Irvine have also drawn the starting nod for the first time. On the offensive side, senior RB Tim Cook and junior DE Phillip Napoleon and sophomore WR Timmy Hernandez have made their first starts for the Beavers. In addition, juniors QB Darell Garretson, OL Brayden Kearsley and DT Paisa Savea have made their first OSU starts. Garretson has started all three games this season, while Kearsley made his first start against Boise State. Both players had started at their previous schools, Garretson arrived at OSU with 11 starts under his belt at Utah State and Kearsley had four starts at BYU. True freshmen OL Gus Lavaka and LB Joah Robinett each made their first career starts against California.

SENIOR CLASS: The Beavers are once again one of the most inexperienced teams in the country. OSU entered the season with 15 seniors on the active roster, which ranks as tied with Washington State as the second-youngest team in the Pac-12 behind USC with 14. It is tied as the 13th-fewest seniors in the nation.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN: Oregon State safety Kendall Hill has been granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Hill missed his true freshman season (2012) due to a knee injury suffered during the spring of his senior year of high school. He then suffered a season-ending knee injury during the spring practice session in 2013 and missed a second straight year.

TEAM CAPTAINS: The 2016 team is captained by seniors Victor Bolden Jr., Devin Chappell, Sean Harlow, Caleb Saulo, Dustin Stanton and junior Darell Garretson.

DREAM COME TRUE: Oregon State Athletics and Unitus Community Credit Union have teamed up to grant wishes each game. Through Unitus' Dreams Come True program, the Beavers will welcome a child facing serious illness to Reser Stadium for the ultimate fan experience every home game during the 2016 season. Recipients will be recognized on the video board during the game, receive tickets, pre-game sideline passes, a chance to interact with the players on game day, a football signed by the OSU football team and a personalized game jersey. To learn more about the Dream Come True program visit osubeavers.com/dreamcometrue

NEW HOME FOR THE BEAVS: The Valley Football Center remains a construction zone but various areas of the Victory Through Valley project have come online in recent weeks with the equipment room and loading dock area becoming fully functional, a barber shop facility in the players' lounge and a new coaches locker room opening. Just this week a new media interview and work room was completed and will be used today for the Beavers' postgame press conference for the first time. The Beavers moved into their new locker room in August. Other completed parts of the renovation include an expanded athletic medicine facility, expanded equipment operations, renovated offices for the coaching staff, and an academic/career development office. Still under construction are a football hall of fame, lobby and auditorium. For more on the $42 million project go to www.ourbeavernation.com.

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE, WIN THE GAME: Over the last 154 games, Oregon State is 52-16 when committing fewer turnovers than its opponent, 12-42 when committing more and 16-17 when even.

300TH GAME IN RESER: The Beavers' will play their 300th game in Reser (formerly Parker) Stadium late this year against Arizona, Nov. 19.

75TH ANNIVERSARY: The 2016 season marks the 75th anniversary of the 1941 Rose Bowl season. The anniversary will be recognized Oct. 29 when the Beavers host Washington State for "The Men of Roses" game ... The game produced two important firsts. It was Oregon State College's first-ever trip to the famous New Year's Day classic, and it remains the only Rose Bowl played outside Pasadena. The reason the game was moved to Durham, N.C. due to the blackout of the West Coast that had followed the attack on Pearl Harbor. The host stadium was Duke University's home field in Durham, N.C., with the undefeated Blue Devils picked as 3-1 favorites. Oregon State's victory came as a big surprise to Eastern and Southern sportswriters, with Sid Feder of the Associated Press writing, "Probably never in the quarter century history of the Tournament of Roses had such a completely overlooked betting underdog jumped up to beat the big fellows. Oregon State came East to the wonderment of most of Dixie as to why the Westerners were going to show up at all." ... Oregon State won the game 20-16 and Jack Gunether of UPI wrote, "The Beavers skipped and slammed and flicked passes with an ease and finesse which completely baffled the record crowd." ... Beaver boss, Lon Stiner, at 38 and the youngest head coach in Rose Bowl history, led the Beavers and Dan Durdan passed and ran OSC to victory earning Player of the Game honors. The winning score came in the third quarter when Gene Gray scored on a 68-yard pass from Bob Dethman.