Oregon State Beavers 2-0 Overall (0-0 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Oregon State 23 – UNLV 21

Next Week’s Opponent: Cincinnati

I always found it funny how sports analysts break down a basketball game that was decided in the closing seconds. If the team puts up a buzzer beater that hits and they win, all post game analysis is on what a great game they played. If the shot doesn’t fall, it’s all about how bad the game was, missed free throws, bad fouls, etc.

Justin Kahut’s 33-yard field goal attempt to end the game was a lot like one of those buzzer beaters. Had the kick been missed, all we’d be talking about is the things the Beavers did wrong. Letting an inferior UNLV team stick around and eventually take the lead. Giving up 228 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Playing down to the opponent’s level.

Instead, thanks to the win, we get to focus on the positives. Sean Canfield was a great game manager, completing 80.6% of his passes (25/31) for 198 yards and two touchdowns. James Rodgers caught six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown and added 16 yards on three carries as well.

And then there was Jacquizz Rodgers, quickly solidifying his spot among the most explosive players in college football today. ‘Quizz racked up 166 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, and caught the ball 10 times for 65 yards. UNLV had no answer for him, so the Beavers kept getting him the ball.

The most important thing is that the Beavers won. It’s much better to win ugly then to lose pretty; just ask Ohio State. But don’t let the win blind you from the fact that there are still a lot of question marks for this team. The defense needs to be better, and the offense can’t lean so heavily on ‘Quizz every week; they will need to find other options, too.

The Cincinnati game will tell us a lot. Little doubt in my mind that we’ll get the Beavers’ best effort at home against a ranked opponent. A win would place the Beavers near the top of the conference heading into conference play. A loss would leave us with no idea what to expect from this team moving forward. It should be a fun one.