CORVALLIS — Oregon State is able to take a deep breath this week with no game scheduled Saturday following three weeks of nonconference play.
Next up is Pac-12 play, as the Beavers play host to Stanford on Sept. 28 in Reser Stadium.
Today, we’ll take a look at how the offense has fared through three games and figure out what we’ve learned.
Statistically, it’s shaping up to be among the most dynamic offenses in Oregon State history.
The Beavers are on track to accumulate 5,716 offensive yards, best in school history for a 12-game season. OSU is averaging 6.4 yards per play, which would be a program record. The offense has allowed two sacks; through three games in 2018, the Beavers had given up 11 sacks.
Oregon State ranks second in the Pac-12 in rushing yards and fourth for total offense.
In a nutshell, much to like.
What we’ve learned:
The offensive line could be one of the Pac-12’s most underrated.
The numbers speak for themselves, the rebound in sack numbers, a running game averaging 6.1 yards per attempt, a 51 percent third-down conversion rate. Yet when the Pac-12’s good offensive lines are mentioned, Oregon State rarely comes up. It’s understandable, as the Beavers must prove over the long haul of a 12-game season. But the makings are there. OSU has three all-league candidates in left tackle Blake Brandel, left guard Gus Lavaka and right tackle Brandon Kipper. The offensive line has been able to build some consistency over the last 15 games as there have been few injuries.
“That first group has played pretty solid, and there’s room for growth,” offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said.
The test comes if there are injuries. The Beavers have sustained one this season, to center Nathan Eldridge. Nous Keobounnam has starting experience and stepped in, but can OSU survive an injury at other line positions? Onesimus Clarke and Joshua Gray have shown promise, but Lindgren has concerns.
“Feels like we’re a little bit light on bodies. It’s not where we want to be, but guys are developing,” he said.
The Beavers are solid at quarterback, but there’s room to improve.
Grading Jake Luton on a scale 1-to-10 scale, you’d have to say 6 or 7 through three weeks. The offense is making a lot of plays, Luton’s completion rate is acceptable though not spectacular at 57.3 percent, and he’s working without two of OSU’s top three receivers in Tyjon Lindsen and Trevon Bradford. What’s more, Luton isn’t the statue he was his first two years at Oregon State, resulting in only two sacks through three games.
Lindgren’s quibble with Luton and backup Tristan Gebbia – who is 7 of 12 for 66 yards and a touchdown – is consistently executing the offense. There was the first-half lull against Oklahoma State that allowed the Cowboys to gain early separation, and the second half donut in Hawaii, where just a bit of scoring might have resulted in a win.
There also this: Luton is a senior, and as a sixth-year guy, you’re sort of waiting for that moment where he rises up, puts the team on his back and carries them to victory, as was the case last year at Colorado. The Beavers needed that guy in Hawaii. There are nine games left, and surely a few more similar situations for Luton to take charge.
Running back position fine, with or without Jermar Jefferson
It might be a little early to make this proclamation, as it was Cal Poly and not, say, Cal. But Artavis Pierce could start for a bunch of Power 5 teams, as he did last Saturday in getting the start against Cal Poly instead of Jefferson, who was out with ankle issues.
Whether it’s Jefferson – who ran for 183 yards against Hawaii – or Pierce – who is averaging 8.2 yards on 27 carries this season – the Beavers are fine at running back.
Asked to describe the difference between Pierce and Jefferson, Lindgren said, “both guys have the ability to create explosive plays, and I think AP is more of a downhill runner. He gets vertical a little quicker than Jermar. Jermar likes to be a little more patient around the line of scrimmage.”
As long as Oregon State has 1 (Jefferson) or 1A (Pierce) available, the Beavers’ running game will work.
Receiving position needs healing, growth
Isaiah Hodgins has been fabulous, among the best receivers in the Pac-12 through three games with 23 receptions for 347 yards and five touchdowns. Which obviously will not be lost on Pac-12 defensive coordinators, as they’ll try to limit the 6-4 junior in upcoming games. The time is ripe for a second and third receiver to flourish.
Is it Champ Flemings, who had his career breakout against Cal Poly with five catches for 142 yards? He’ll need to prove it on a consistent basis, and at 5-foot-5, finding physical matchups is a challenge. Tyjon Lindsey looked like a solid No. 2 after catching eight passes in the opener, but a leg injury has sidelined his progress. Trevon Bradford was Hodgins’ equal last season, but has yet to play because of a foot injury from the spring.
And what about redshirt freshman Jesiah Irish, the darling of spring practice who wowed with his speed? Irish’s best plays have come on special teams, as he’s yet to see much action at receiver.
“He has some ability and we try to tailor certain plays to him,” Lindgren said. “But at times there is too much lack of attention to detail or mental errors here or there to be an every-down guy. I think he can get there.”
As for confidence?
What Luton says heading into Pac-12 play:
“I think every game is a winnable game. Every game is on the table. There’s no real juggernaut coming out that looks like they’re going to dominate. There’s some really good teams in the conference, but every game is a winnable game for us. I think we’ve shown that we can be in games and every week we’re going to work to capitalize on that.”
-- Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel
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