Oregon State Beavers losing streak is finally over

After the 364 day wait, the Oregon State Beavers losing streak is finally over.

After not winning a single game since they defeated San Jose State on September 19th of 2015, the Beavers finally got themselves back in the win column with a resounding victory over the Idaho State Bengals. Oregon State treated their home fans to a 37-7 thrashing of the opponent, in a contest that was all but over by halftime.

It’s only seem fitting that, in a momentous game like this, multiple players would get in on the scoring. Quarterback Darrell Garretson, wide receiver Victor Bolden Jr., and running back Ryan Nall each had a rushing touchdown for Oregon State, and senior cornerback Treston Decoud returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Garretson managed the passing game, going 15 of 30 for 172 yards (and throwing one interception). He did just enough to not get in the way of the Beavers running game, which accumulated 246 yards on 41 carries (by eight different ball carriers). His seven yard touchdown run in the first quarter gave Oregon State a 10-0 lead, capitalizing on an Idaho State fumbled on their first drive of the game. Nall scored his touchdown via a two-yard run with just over four minutes left in the second quarter, capitalizing on the Bengals third turnover of the first half. Idaho State ended up turning the football over four times in the first half, which was a major reason the Beavers led 23-0 going into intermission.

It was a long afternoon for sophomore quarterback Tanner Gueller of Idaho State. He only threw for 227 yards, despite attempting 46 passes on the day, and was picked off four times. With the game getting increasingly out of hand in the second half, he was eventually pulled for backup quarterback Tom Jewell.

The Beavers lone defensive “blemish” (preventing the shutout) ironically came on the first offensive play from scrimmage in the third quarter, with the Bengals facing a seemingly insurmountable halftime deficit. Gueller handed the football to running back Jakori Ford, who scored on a 75 yard touchdown run.

But the Beavers quickly and resoundingly squashed any chances of a Bengals comeback, just minutes later. After the two teams traded punts, Bolden took the ball on the Beavers eight yard line and didn’t stop running until he gave Oregon State a 30-7 lead. Seven plays later, with the Bengals driving and seemingly trying to return the scoring favor, Decoud picked off Gueller at the Beavers 25 yard line and ran it 75 yards the other way, putting the proverbial nail in the coffin.

Idaho State has now lost their last two games against Pac-12 teams by a combined margin of 93 to 14. Idaho State head coach Mike Kramer joked after the game that he was glad he would get a break, at least for one week, from playing a Pac-12 team.

Meanwhile, the Beavers will also take on a non-conference opponent next week, when they host Boise State University this Saturday. The Broncos are currently 2-0, and sitting atop the Mountain West Conference.