
In what can only be described as a tale of two halves, the Oregon State Beavers, led by Trent Bray in his head coaching debut, ultimately dismantled the Idaho State Bengals with a decisive 38-15 victory at Reser Stadium. The game, initially off to rocky start, showcased Oregon State's potential with a dominant second-half performance as they imposed their will upon a fatigued Idaho State defense with a relentless running game. As OregonLive reported, after a less than impressive first half, the Beavers improved markedly, capitalizing on their physicality to roll over the Bengals.
The turning point seemed to be Hankerson's touchdown just before halftime, building a modest but significant 17-9 lead. The Beavers didn't look back, as highlighted by the 55-yard touchdown connection from Gevani McCoy to David Wells Jr., and they culminated their scoring barrage with a 22-yard dash to the end zone by Griffin. The second half demonstrated an almost palpable increase in the team's synergy and execution. Despite an echo of resistance from the Bengals, with a 9-yard touchdown pass caught by Michael Shulikov, you got a feeling it was too little, too late, according to KOIN.
While the Beavers' offense garnered most of the accolades, it was the defense's relentless pressure that underpinned their success. Skyler Thomas, who snagged an interception and put up seven tackles, was instrumental in halting the Bengals' momentum in the first half, earning him the game ball, as noted by the Gazette Times. McCoy, making his first start as a Beaver, was efficient in his limited number of pass attempts, adding a clinical dimension to the offense's overall game plan.
Disciplinary actions within the game held some consequence, as Oregon State linebacker Isaiah Chisom was penalized for targeting and will miss the first half of next week's game. The by-the-numbers approach to the game elucidated the Beavers' undeniable dominance — with 362 net rushing yards and the OSU defense recording 11 quarterback hurries. As the temperature hovered around 91 degrees, the decision for Beavers to adorn all-black uniforms may have seemed daunting, but in a blend of toughness and strategy, they seemed unfazed by the heat or the Bengals' challenge.
The victory narrative for Trent Bray has started off on the right foot, with the head coach securing his first win. His team's performance clearly indicates that while there's room for improvement, the foundation for a resilient Oregon State team has been set. The Beavers undoubtedly made their mark on the game's outcome, offering a glimpse of what could be a defining season for the program under new leadership.