To reach bowl, Beavers must put points on board
Aug 18, 2017 - 4:50 PM Oregon State has a fairly simple and perhaps obvious goal for the third season under coach Gary Andersen: continued improvement that leads to at least six victories and a bowl game.After going 2-10 and 4-6 in Andersen's first two seasons, the primary method of reaching that goal must be offensive in nature.
The Beavers have met Andersen's initial goals, to be more physical and compete, but now they need to take an even bigger step and put more points on the scoreboard.
The Beavers averaged 26.1 points in 2016, which left them 10th in the Pac-12. They finished last in total offense, largely because their passing game was 11th in total yards and 12th in efficiency.
The solution was to make a change at quarterback, and the starter will be junior college transfer Jake Luton.
What the Beavers want is to be more "explosive" on offense, as Andersen put it, by combining a running game led by junior Ryan Nall with the ability to take shots downfield in the passing game.
"We'd like to still be run-heavy, but we want to have more explosive plays, and you get those primarily from the throw game," Andersen said.
The Beavers figure they have the targets, with returning starting receivers Jordan Villamin and Seth Collins, augmented by talented freshman Isaiah Hodgins and a solid group of backups.
"We have some big-time playmakers at the wideouts," Andersen said.
The 6-foot-7 Luton was impressive from his arrival for spring drills, offering a different dimension with his strong arm.
That drove Marcus McMaryion to transfer, and left senior Darell Garretson to backup duties, and possibly being used as a change of pace with his running ability.
"I'm sure they'll both play," Andersen said of Luton and Garretson. "Darell is a very good quarterback. ... He's got some pretty good pieces to the puzzle this year that allow him to play with his athleticism at times."
Still, Andersen noted the offense has "really settled in" on its identity since Luton was designated as the starting quarterback only a week into fall drills.
The Beavers should get an early indication of how successful they will be in their quest for more offense, and points. They open the season with an Aug. 26 game at Colorado State and play host to Minnesota on Sept. 9, before the Pac-12 schedule opens Sept. 16 at Washington State.
It'll take a better passing performance, and more points, against those teams for the Beavers to earn any of those six wins.
MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: QB Jake Luton -- It was obvious when the Beavers brought Luton in from junior college they felt their two returning quarterbacks with starting experience weren't the answer. Luton was named the starter a week into fall practice, but it was obvious in the spring that his passing ability would be a step up from what the Beavers had the last two years. And let there be no doubt that Luton understands and accepts his importance. "I feel like this is my team," he said in a recent interview. "These are my guys and I'm ready to come out here and step out on the field and make plays and win ballgames."
BREAKOUT STAR: TE Noah Togiai -- After four catches in less two games last season, including a touchdown at Minnesota, Togiai sustained a knee injury that kept him out for the rest of 2016. That caused a major change in Oregon State's offensive plan, with the tight end all but eliminated as a possible target. That will change this year with the 6-4, 245-pound sophomore healthy again. He's become a favorite target of new quarterback Jake Luton and the Beavers feel they have a big weapon in the athletic Togiai. Offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven termed the tight end position "a critical piece for what we want to do," which should mean significant reception numbers for Togiai, particularly on third downs or in the red zone.
NEWCOMER TO WATCH: RB Thomas Tyner -- After medically retiring because of a shoulder injury after two impressive seasons at rival Oregon, Tyner decided he wanted to return to football following two inactive seasons. Even on a crowded depth chart of running backs, the Beavers welcomed a player considered one of the greatest running backs ever produced in the state of Oregon. The 5-foot-11, 230-pound Tyner is a potentially explosive addition, with speed that led to high school state championships in the sprints. But he also has shown an early ability to run inside and might make for the perfect player to trade off with Ryan Nall as the every-down back. He can also be used on kick returns, where his speed figures to show itself.
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Oregon State Announces 2024 Football Schedule Dec 15
- Oregon State Will Take on Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl Dec 3
- Oregon State Names Trent Bray as Head Football Coach Nov 28
- Game 12 Snap Counts: A Painful End to an Era Nov 26
- BREAKING NEWS: Jonathan Smith Hired by Michigan State Nov 25
- Oregon tops Oregon State, 31-7 Nov 24
- Game 12 Matchups to Watch: Keep the Platypus Trophy in Corvallis Nov 22
- Game 11 Snap Counts: Razor Thin Margins Lead to a Painful Loss Nov 21
- Washington tops Oregon State, 22-20 Nov 19
- Game 11 Matchups to Watch: Top 10 Showdown in Reser Nov 16
- Week 10 Snap Counts: You Get a Snap! And You Get a Snap! Nov 14
- Oregon State blasts Stanford, 62-17 Nov 12