Beavers in Crisis: Oregon State Football’s Struggles Demand a Reckoning

Photo by USA Today // accessed Nov. 18, 2024

In the fading light of a once-promising season, the Oregon State football team finds itself at a crossroads. A 28-0 loss to Air Force wasn’t just a defeat—it was a dissection. The Beavers didn’t just lose on the field; they lost belief. And that, more than the scoreline, is what has left fans and analysts questioning where this program is headed.

An Offense Without Direction

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when the wheels came off, but the Beavers’ offense is officially stuck in neutral. Gevani McCoy, the early season starting quarterback, and Gabbari Johnson, the presumed quarterback of the future, split snaps in a performance that can only be described as disjointed. Oregon State mustered just a handful of first downs and couldn’t sustain drives long enough to threaten the Air Force defense.

The criticism goes deeper than execution. As Terry lamented on the podcast, “Yeah, no plan. I think that's a pretty good summation of what we watched on Saturday afternoon.” That sentiment was echoed across Beaver Nation as fans watched a team that once thrived on identity and grit look completely lost.

A Defense Searching for Answers

On the other side of the ball, the defense fared no better. Allowing over 300 rushing yards to Air Force’s triple-option offense is bad. Failing to adjust at all is worse. While the triple option is notoriously difficult to stop, Oregon State’s inability to create turnovers or win at the line of scrimmage was glaring.

As Benny noted, “It’s discouraging to see a team that just doesn’t want to be there.” That harsh assessment cuts to the core of what’s troubling this team: a lack of urgency and fight. The defense may be young, but effort doesn’t require experience.

A Coaching Staff Under Fire

It’s impossible to ignore the questions surrounding head coach Trent Bray and his staff. In-game decisions, like icing a kicker before a rushed 53-yard attempt, have only added to the perception of a team unprepared for the moment. This staff has received praise for recruiting, but recruiting only takes you so far. At some point, preparation and execution must follow.

A Season on the Brink

Two games remain—Washington State and Boise State. Bowl eligibility is still mathematically possible but feels like a distant dream. What’s left is pride, and Oregon State fans deserve a team that plays for it. The Beavers may not salvage the season, but they can salvage their identity. If not now, when? If not for these players, who?

For a program that has been through so much, it’s a question that demands an answer—and soon.