Oregon State football: 5 takeaways from the Beavers win at California

Oregon State Beavers secure a tight win against Cal Bears with a strong passing game but struggle on defense.

The No. 15 Oregon State Beavers secured a victory, bringing their overall record to 5-1 and their Pac-12 record to 2-1 for the season. On the other hand, the Bears now hold a 3-3 overall record and a 1-2 conference record.

Looking ahead, Oregon State will be playing UCLA at Reser Stadium next week.

Now, let's dive into five key takeaways from the Beavers' win:

1. Uiagalelei's Impressive Performance: Uiagalelei, the Beavers' quarterback, had an exceptional game against Cal. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 275 yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions. In previous games, Uiagalelei had struggled with accuracy and interceptions, but he showcased his best performance as a Beaver against Cal. He successfully completed 76% of his passes and effectively led the team to score touchdowns.

2. Diverse Passing Game: The Beavers demonstrated their depth in the passing game by having nine different players catch passes during the game against Cal. This diversity makes it challenging for opposing teams to defend against Oregon State's passing plays. Anthony Gould, a graduate from West Salem, stood out among the receivers, recording seven catches for 117 yards. Tight end Jack Velling also made a significant impact with four catches for 38 yards and three touchdowns.

3. Defensive Struggles on the Road: Unfortunately, Oregon State's defense did not perform well on the road. After being torched by Washington State's quarterback in a previous game, the Beavers' defense had another tough outing against Cal. The Bears managed to accumulate 448 total yards and score 40 points, with 241 of those yards gained on the ground. Allowing an average of 7.3 yards per carry is concerning, especially considering the challenging opponents Oregon State has yet to face, such as Washington and Oregon, both known for their potent offenses.

4. Costly Mistakes: Oregon State made some critical errors during the game. They attempted an onside kick early on after taking a 14-0 lead, but it backfired as Cal recovered it and turned it into a touchdown. Additionally, the Beavers fumbled on the following possession, leading to another Cal touchdown. Fortunately, the Bears didn't have enough firepower to capitalize on these mistakes and secure the win. However, against stronger teams like UCLA, Washington, and Oregon, the Beavers might not be as fortunate.

5. Overall Assessment: Despite their struggles on the road, the Beavers deserve credit for finding a way to win. However, they need to address their defensive issues, as they have looked subpar in recent games against Washington State and Cal. Their performance against Utah was relatively better, but the Utes' offense is currently struggling. With six games remaining in the season, including matchups against UCLA, Arizona, Colorado, Stanford, Washington, and Oregon, the Beavers can expect tough battles ahead. To succeed, they must rectify their defensive shortcomings and capitalize on the success of their passing game.

In conclusion, the Beavers' victory against Cal showcased both their strengths and weaknesses. It is imperative for Oregon State to address their defensive struggles and leverage their strong passing game moving forward. With challenging games on the horizon, the Beavers must strive for improvement to secure more victories.