Beavers seeking success on the road

Aug 22, 2017 - 2:14 AM Oregon State would like to start the season by doing something it hasn't done in more than two years: win away from home.

The Beavers open Saturday at Colorado State, where the Rams will open a new stadium in front of a sold-out crowd. Oregon State has lost 13 consecutive road games, including an 0-11 record away from home in two seasons with Gary Andersen as the head coach.

"We've not won a road game since we've been here. You've got to get that," Andersen said. "First you have to learn to win at home, I firmly believe that. But then you need victories on the road and to play the right way on the road."

The Beavers only came close to winning a road game once last season, a 30-23 loss at Minnesota in the opener on the way to finishing 4-8. In their four Pac-12 road games, the closest margin of defeat for Oregon State was 11 points.

The road only adds another challenge to Oregon State's quest to show improvement. Andersen has put the key to his team's success this year in two areas: run defense and passing offense.

"If we don't see progress in both of those places, we'll see the same results," Andersen said.

Colorado State will likely be an immediate test of how well the Beavers can defend the run. Oregon State returns the nucleus of its front seven from last season, when the Beavers gave up 218 rushing yards per game.

In the passing game, the key will be junior transfer Jake Luton, who won the starting quarterback job because he offers a stronger throwing arm than the two returnees with starting experience. If Luton can offer the "explosive" plays a revamped passing attack is looking to provide, it will provide room for a talented group of running backs.

What makes finding road success in the opener especially important is that the next two road games are at No. 24 Washington State and No. 4 USC, a pair of teams intent on contending in the Pac-12 this season. With those two games looming, a loss at Colorado State could mean the Beavers won't have a solid chance at a road win until November games at California, Arizona and Oregon, and nobody at Oregon State wants to wait that long.

--C Sumner Houston was converted from the defensive line in the spring and took over the starting spot, so this will be the junior's first college game on offense. How he handles making the blocking calls and adjusting to an opposing defense will be a key to Oregon State's success.

--WR Seth Collins, expected to be the starter at the slot receiver position, is doubtful for the opener with an injured hand that has kept him of practice.

--DT Craig Evans, a junior college transfer, won't be cleared academically. He hasn't yet practiced after being expected to be in the rotation for the defensive line.