CORVALLIS — Oregon State football faces a long road trip, an emotional and motivated opponent, and the potential for missing its starting quarterback on Saturday.
The Beavers (0-5) are seeking their first win, while Appalachian State (2-2) is playing in honor of its former coach after Shawn Clark’s unexpected passing on Sept. 21. Clark coached the Mountaineers from 2019-24.
OSU faces yet another challenge after a brutal start to the season. Here is a preview of Saturday’s contest:
Oregon State (0-5) at Appalachian State (2-2)
When: Saturday, Oct. 4
Time: 12:30 p.m. PT
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium — Boone, North Carolina
TV Channel: ESPN+ (Not available on traditional broadcast TV, only streaming on ESPN’s live sports streaming platform. Here’s a look at how you can watch ESPN+ live on your TV.)
How to watch streaming live: You can watch a live stream of this game for less than $12 on ESPN+ (It’s just $11.99/month or $119.99/full year subscription, and you can cancel anytime.)
Odds (9/30): Oregon State by 1.5; over/under 54.5 (Action Network)
HANDING OVER THE REINS?
OSU starting quarterback Maalik Murphy is questionable for Saturday’s game due to a hand injury suffered against Houston. That injury didn’t allow him to take snaps under center late in the game, Trent Bray said.
While we didn’t get a look inside practice this week, the Beavers were hopeful early in the week that Murphy will be available to lead the offense against App State.
If he can’t go, Gabarri Johnson will step in as the Beavers’ starter. The redshirt sophomore out of Tacoma, Washington, is much more of a running threat than Murphy, boasting elite athleticism, but it remains to be seen what OSU’s passing attack looks like with him under center.
From what we saw in fall camp, Johnson has significantly improved as a passer. Whether he can zip the ball around against an App State secondary led by cornerback Ethan Johnson remains to be seen.
BUILD ON IT
OSU had a strong defensive performance against Houston, save for the final six minutes of regulation when it allowed a furious comeback with big plays through the air.
If the Beavers can maintain the level of play they displayed in that first 54 minutes, they could dominate an App State offense which struggled on the road in a blowout loss to Boise State last week.
The Mountaineers lean heavily on senior running back Rashod Dubinion, an Arkansas transfer. Dubinion has 513 yards on 88 carries this season.
DUBIOUS HISTORY ON THE LINE
If the Beavers lose again and fall to 0-6, it would be the first time Oregon State has started a season 0-6 since 1991. That 1991 Beavers team finished 1-11 on the season, with their only win coming in the season finale against Oregon.
OSU isn’t anywhere close to this territory yet, and has a much more favorable schedule from Saturday on, but the worst season in program history was in 1980, when the Beavers went 0-11 under first-year head coach Joe Avezzano.
THEY SAID IT
“Another good challenge on the road. Atmosphere, there will be a lot of emotion at this game. And a good team. We’ve got to get back to it, prepare, and prepare to win.” —OSU head coach Trent Bray
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday is the first-ever meeting between Oregon State and Appalachian State in football.
PREDICTION
Oregon State 21, Appalachian State 15