An odd chapter in the history of Oregon State football (2-9) closes for good against Washington State (5-6) on Saturday in Pullman.
An odd chapter in the history of Oregon State football closes for good against Washington State (5-6) on Saturday.
With former Alabama assistant JaMarcus Shepard officially announced as the Beavers 33rd head football coach, Oregon State’s season finale takes on a melancholic feel. The program’s two years of conference limbo and uncertainty end as the game on the Palouse does. The Beavers (2-9) have no bowl game to fight for as decisions for each player and coach’s future loom large.
In his last opportunity as Oregon State’s interim head coach, Robb Akey said Monday he wants his players to appreciate the moment. Saturday is, for what it’s worth, the final time that the 2025 Oregon State Beavers will be together. It gives those with remaining collegiate eligibility one final time to audition, either for the incoming Beavers coaching staff or their next destination in the transfer portal.
“Each of them have opportunities to make plays and things that they could put on tape, so they could either be invited to stay here or get invited to go to somebody’s place in the portal,” Akey said. “There’s a lot to play for there, but I would hope that the love of the game and the brotherhood that they have amongst each other, that alone should be a hell of a lot.”
A running back’s last hurrah and a quarterback’s (potential) first
The Beavers haven’t announced a starting quarterback against the Cougars. That being said, all signs point to true freshman quarterback Tristan Ti’a making the first start of his college career. The freshman, who dazzled in the fourth quarter of a loss to Tulsa two weekends ago, embraced Akey’s message in his first-ever media appearance Tuesday.
Ti’a says that, if he has an opportunity to play, he hopes he shows enough to be in the running for Oregon State’s starting quarterback job in 2026.
“I definitely do want to stay here. So, whether we get a new coach or not, I want to,” Ti’a said. “However that future conversation looks out, I would want the chance to be able to compete and stay here for that spot. And if everything happens in the way that I want to, then I’ll still be here, but if not, obviously, I’ll have to find a new spot. But hopefully everything ends up well.”
It’s worth noting that all four of Oregon State’s quarterbacks — Ti’a, Maalik Murphy, Gabarri Johnson and Kallen Gutridge — have eligibility remaining for the 2026 season. And, at the time of this article’s publication, none of them have publicly stated intentions to transfer.
While one Beaver in the backfield potentially makes his first start, another — senior running back Anthony Hankerson — plays the final game of his collegiate career. With 46 yards-rushing against Tulsa, Hankerson exceeded 1,000 yards on the ground for the second time in as many season as an Oregon State Beaver.
And in the final game of his collegiate journey, Hankerson is resetting his sights on a prospective NFL career.
“I’m going to be the same person through all the ups and downs,” Hankerson said when asked what he wants NFL teams to know about him. “You’re going to get a dog. I mean, I know people use that word so loosely nowadays. But, yeah, you’re getting a dog. I’m ready to work.”
Hankerson enters Saturday’s matchup with 1,015 yards and nine touchdowns on 231 carries. His 2,097 yards-rushing over the last two seasons ranks 13th all-time in Oregon State history.
Beavers defense looks to repeat season-best effort against Cougars
The Cougars are 1-1 since their loss to the Beavers at Reser Stadium on Nov. 1. Washington State beat Louisiana State, 28-3, before falling 24-20 to James Madison. The Bulldogs are a bowl-eligible program, while the Dukes are front-runners to win the Sun Belt Conference.
Oregon State’s defense played its best game of the season against the Cougars in round one. They held Washington State’s offense to just seven points and a 2-for-13 conversion-rate on third down tries. Heading into the rematch, Beavers defensive line coach and interim defensive play-caller Ilasa Tuiaki said containing Cougars quarterback Zevi Eckhaus’ scrambling ability is critical.
“One of the keys for us is to make sure that we got the quarterback bottled up,” Tuiaki said. “That was one thing from the (Tulsa) game, the quarterback’s scramble on passes, we’ve got to make sure that we keep them bottled up. (Because) that will hurt us on defense. And so that’ll be a big for us that we’ve got to make sure that we do better this next time.”
The Beavers sacked Eckhaus six times in the first matchup and held him to just 24 rushing yards on 16 tries. Through the air, Eckhaus threw two interceptions and did not score a touchdown.
Week 14: Oregon State (2-9) vs. Washington State (5-6)
When: Saturday, Nov. 29
Where: Martin Stadium; Pullman, Washington
Time: 3:30 p.m. (PT)
TV: The CW Network
Favorite: Washington State, -13.5 (odds via ESPN at time of publication)
