The Beavers and Falcons, who play for the first time, thrive with rushing attacks, so don’t blink as the game will go quickly.
The Oregon State Beavers hit the road trying to keep their bowl hopes alive when they play the Air Force Falcons at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colo.
It’s a game featuring two high-profile running games, as both teams average more than 200 rushing yards a game.
Oregon State must win two of its final three games to become bowl eligible.
Here’s a preview of this week’s game:
Oregon State (4-5) at Air Force (2-7)
When: Saturday, Nov. 16
Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Coaches: OSU’s Trent Bray (first season) vs. Air Force’s Troy Calhoun (18th season)
Latest line: Oregon State by 3½
• WATCH: Oregon State vs. Air Force live for free with Fubo (free trial), or with DirecTV Stream (free trial).
TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
How to watch streaming live: If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest depending on your location.
Oregon State football 2024 season schedule, scores
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A LOOK AT AIR FORCE
Air Force is having its worst season since 2013, but the Falcons come into Saturday’s game off a high. Last Saturday, AFA ended a seven-game losing streak with a 36-28 win over Fresno State. The Falcons posted season highs for rushes (80), rushing yards (344), plays (86), first downs (24), third-down conversions (10) and time of possession (45:08). Expect a quick game here, as Air Force and Oregon State prefer to run and are among the country’s leaders in time of possession. OSU offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson said the average number of possessions in a college game is 13, but against the military schools, it’s eight. That puts a premium each time the Beavers touch the ball. The Falcons are run-heavy, but their numbers have slipped a bit in 2024. At 202.7 rushing yards per game, the Falcons rank No. 22 nationally. AFA has been No. 1 or 2 in the country the past five years. The Falcons haven’t been this low in the national rushing rankings since 1981. In 18 years as head coach, Troy Calhoun has had a 100-yard rusher in 118 games, but only two this season. Last week’s 36-point performance was an outlier, as the Falcons rank 129th nationally in scoring average at 16.2 points a game. The 2024 offense doesn’t have a particular player to key on, as the Falcons have seven players who have season rushing totals ranging from 113 to 276 yards. Two quarterbacks have piloted the Air Force offense this season. John Busha started the first five. He’s run for 172 yards and passed for 415. Quentin Hayes has played in seven games, running for 276 yards and passing for 269. Cade Harris is AFA’s most reliable receiver, with 20 catches for 224 yards. Harris also has 271 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, Air Force gives up 26.7 points and 356.7 yards per game. The Falcons rank 106th in rushing defense, and 118th in pass efficiency defense. Oregon State struggled in the red zone a week ago in a loss to San Jose State, but Air Force could provide an opportunity to get well, as the Falcons rank 106th nationally in red zone defense. Camby Goff (51 tackles, 2 ½ for loss) and Osaro Aihie (46 tackles) lead Air Force in stops. The Falcons have created only 10 takeaways this season, eight on fumble recoveries. Air Force doesn’t get to the quarterback often, with eight sacks through nine games. Payton Zdroik leads the way with three, plus a team high 5½ tackles for loss.
THEY SAID IT
Could the Air Force triple option offense work at a school like Oregon State? Falcons coach Troy Calhoun:
“I don’t think so. There are some spin offs. I mean that with respect in terms of how much zone read there is in college football. UNLV does it pretty extensively in their own way, from the shotgun. A good bit of what Oregon does, you see it show up, whether it’s an inside run or throw a hitch screen or a bubble screen. But in the sole form, I don’t think so.”
SERIES HISTORY
First time the two schools have played.
THIS AND THAT
- This is the first time Oregon State has played football against one of the military schools (Army, Navy or Air Force).
- Oregon State and Air Force are the only FBS schools where the head coach and offensive and defensive coordinators work at their alma maters.
- Anthony Hankerson has 14 rushing touchdowns this season, tied for seventh in Oregon State history. Hankerson needs 130 rushing yards to crack 1,000 for the season.
- Air Force has an elevation of 6,621 feet, the second highest among FBS schools. Wyoming is No. 1 at 7,220 feet.
- Air Force kicker Matthew Dapore is No. 1 in school history with 257 career points.
- The Falcons have had five different starting offensive line combinations this season, the fifth highest among FBS teams.
- Air Force has had 42 first-time starters this season, highest among FBS. Oregon State is No. 5 at 18.
- Calhoun has 132 wins at Air Force, which ranks No. 4 among active FBS coaches at the same school. Clemson’s Dabo Sweeney leads the list at 180.
- Calhoun is one of seven FBS head coaches who also serves as a position coach. Calhoun coaches Air Force fullbacks.
- Oregon State and Air Force rank among the FBS’ bottom five in sacks.
The pick
Oregon State 28, Air Force 20
—Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, [email protected] or @nickdaschel.
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