With many including new quarterback Maalik Murphy still learning the offensive scheme, the Beavers’ defense stepped up big.
CORVALLIS — Spring football games are rarely ever pretty, and hardly instructive. But in front of a few thousand fans beneath the sun at Reser Stadium on Saturday, the Oregon State defense shined.
The Beavers’ offense, led by Duke transfer quarterback Maalik Murphy, managed just one touchdown on the day. But Murphy showed flashes of evident arm talent and quick decision-making, despite playing behind a banged up offensive line and facing near-constant pressure. He found Cooper Jensen wide open for a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter and was efficient with his intermediate throws.
“The offense had some good plays, but overall in my eyes, the defense definitely dominated,” senior edge Nikko Taylor said. “A lot of young guys from the outside linebacker room — Bleu (Dantzler), Shamar (Meikle), Will (Haverland) — making a lot of sacks. It was nice to see their improvement over spring.”
OSU’s defense got after both Murphy and presumed backup Gabarri Johnson, as much as they could when they weren’t allowed to tackle them. The Beavers logged multiple sacks — whistles blown when they were close enough to take the QB down, if they could — in each quarter, and Dantzler was often leading the way on the edge. Taylor estimated “four or five” sacks for the freshman out of Arizona, but stats weren’t officially kept.
“The edge play has been much improved from a year ago, so I’m very happy with that,” OSU head coach and defensive coordinator Trent Bray said. “Going to continue to get better, but very happy with where we’re at right now.
“We’ve got some natural guys who can rush the passer at inside linebacker (as well). We’ve got some athletes that can apply some pressure, which is a good thing.”
One of those inside linebackers picked up a pass deflection in the first quarter: Makiya Tongue, whose long journey back from a gruesome knee injury in 2023 could serve as an inspiration for the Beavers this season.
OSU’s success providing pressure also came as a result of its long, lanky secondary keeping a mix of Beavers wideouts mostly in check. There were big plays and busted coverages, as is expected in spring ball as players familiarize themselves with the playbook, but for the most part there weren’t glaring errors from defensive backs.
“We definitely achieved (our goal) today,” Taylor said. “Just knowing our assignment, doing what we’re supposed to do, and playing fast and physical.”
Bray is back in the defensive coordinator seat as well, something the second-year head coach said he enjoyed.
“It was great,” Bray said. “It felt good to be coaching, to be involved and have hands in it.”
While one could look at the sacks and pressures on Saturday and wonder if Murphy will be fighting for his life this fall behind a struggling offensive line, Bray said injuries kept several expected contributors on the sideline. And there is always the transfer portal to fill any holes the Beavers might identify.
Still, plenty to clean up execution-wise once fall rolls around.
“Obviously dinged up (on the offensive line) with some guys that will play for us that will be back in fall,” Bray said. “Those guys got an opportunity to get a ton of reps in spring. When you talk about who can play, more guys who can play winning football, I thought the spring was really good for that group.”
— Ryan Clarke covers college sports for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at RClarke@Oregonian.com or on Twitter/X: @RyanTClarke. Find him on Bluesky: @ryantclarke.bsky.social.