Oregon State hopes good feelings from 2019, fresh video pay dividends during Saturday’s home game against California
Good Saturday #GoodSaturday
There’s are significant differences from its other 2020 games for Oregon State this Saturday when the Beavers face California in Reser Stadium.
One, for the first time in three games, OSU has worthwhile video to study. California played a game last Sunday at UCLA. In games against Washington and Washington State, both opponents were playing season openers with new coordinators on both sides of the ball.
Two, Oregon State retains some feel good regarding California, as the Beavers beat the Bears 21-17 last season. That wasn’t the case against UW and WSU, as each have lengthy winning streaks over the Beavers.
This is a new season, and a new team, but many of the Bears’ players remain the same. Oregon State faces many of the same offensive linemen and running backs, as well as some on the defensive front for Cal.
“All those games that we were able to win last year adds confidence,” OSU coach Jonathan Smith said.
Another change Saturday is the kickoff time. The Beavers first two games were played at night, while Saturday’s contest is 12:30 p.m. In the coronavirus era, this means an early wake-up call, as players must take a COVID-19 antigen test before 8 a.m. Smith said it will feel normal to the team, as they routinely test early in the morning prior to each day’s practice.
Yet another change? Cal at quarterback. The Bears have some similarities to a year ago, but one player the Beavers didn’t see was quarterback Chase Garbers. He was injured when OSU played the Bears a year ago. The Beavers’ defense capitalized, sacking Devon Modster and other Cal quarterbacks nine times.
Garbers was 7-0 last season when he played in at least half the game.
“That quarterback is a winner,” Smith said. “They’ve got good balance, run a good scheme … the quarterback moves when no one is open. They’re a challenge.”
Adding to the challenge is recent history. Cal is coming off a 34-10 loss at UCLA, a game where the Bears had less than 48 hours to prepare because of a last-minute schedule change. Throw in the fact that Cal was shut down for more than a week because of a COVID-19 situation, and it’s easy to see how the Bears could have been flat against the Bruins.
It’s a message Smith didn’t ignore in passing to his team.
“We definitely addressed the circumstances that they had leading into that game. Our guys are aware,” Smith said.
Beaver briefs: Outside linebacker Addison Gumbs remains out of action, while defensive tackle Alexander Skelton is doubtful for Cal. … Also out for the first half against California is safety Kitan Oladapo, who was ejected from last Saturday’s game against Washington for targeting. … Two reserves, running back Connor Morton and receiver Job Dockery, have left the program. Dockery hasn’t played in two seasons at OSU, while Morton played eight games in 2019, and in the team’s 2020 season opener. … Smith said a couple young players who are making significant strides during practice are tight end Jake Overman and receiver Zeriah Beason, both freshmen. Overman hasn’t played much on offense, but Smith says he’s come up big on the kickoff return team that had two big plays last week against the Huskies.
–Nick Daschel 5/8 ndaschel@oregonian.com 5/8 @nickdaschel
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