Oregon State scored with a less-than-1-yard-rushing touchdown in the final minute of the Oregon-Oregon State rivalry game Friday night, upsetting No. 9 Oregon, 41-38.
In a densely foggy Corvallis, the Beavers were down 31 to 19 at the start of the fourth quarter. They narrowed the gap to come within just 4 points of the Ducks with 8 minutes left in the game.
The final play for the Beavers offense came after starting quarterback Tristan Gebbia hobbled off the field with an apparent hamstring injury with 33 seconds left on the clock, leaving the ball inches from the goal line on 4th down. Back-up quarterback Chance Nolan, taking his first college snap, scored to put the Beavers on top.
OSU Coach Jonathan Smith said winning the rivalry game is a big deal. “It was a great football game. Back and forth, both teams making plays and responding, and I’m obviously really happy for our guys to come out on top. They’ve been working, believing. This was a special win,” said Smith.
Oregon Coach Mario Cristobal expressed his disappointment after the game, and gave props to the Beavers. “You’ve got to finish a game and we didn’t finish it, but like we always tell our players, we take all these things together, wins and losses. Got to coach them better, got to play it better together. We had a chance to close it out- a couple of chances- but credit to them as well, they deserve it” said Cristobal.
Jermar Jefferson ran for 226 yards and two touchdowns for the Beavers. That is the most rushing yards ever in an Oregon-Oregon State match-up. Gebbia passed for 263 yards.
Ducks quarterback Tyler Shough passed for 285 yards. Five different Ducks had touchdowns in the loss.
This was the second straight win for the Beavers (2-2) this year. The Ducks move to 3-1 on the season and their hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoffs were dashed with the loss.
Five Oregon State players missed the game due to COVID-19 testing results and contact tracing protocols.
Up Next:
The Ducks will face Cal (0-3) on the road next Saturday. The Beavers travel to Utah (0-1). Both Cal and Utah have had games canceled because of COVID-19.
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