It’s the middle of September and the temperatures are still in the 70s in Oregon, so naturally it’s time for the Civil War between the Ducks and Beavers.
For the first time in the series history, Oregon and OSU will meet on the football field for a non-conference matchup with the Ducks leaving the Pac-12 in favor of the Big Ten.
It’s a different time of year, but it’s the same Civil War and there’s no love lost with this game and both teams are preparing the same exact way they would if this contest was in the middle of November.
“Their quarterback (Gevani McCoy) has done an unbelievable job. We’ve watched quite a it of tape on him since he was at Idaho last season,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said.
McCoy, who beat out veteran Ben Gulbranson for the job, is brand new to campus and it seems as if that was a good decision as McCoy is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes, 295 yards, and two touchdowns with no interceptions. But he’s played FCS Idaho State and a rebuilding San Diego State team. Facing the Oregon defense is a completely different animal.
The Ducks will try to get to McCoy and disrupt his timing in the pocket, but that might be one of those challenges Lanning was talking about. Oregon State has a big offensive line, one of the biggest the Ducks will face this season.
Left tackle Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan is the biggest of the group at 6-foot-9 and 329 pounds, while the right tackle, Grant Starck, stands at 6-4 and 288 pounds. Center Van Wells is the “smallest” one of the bunch at 6-foot-2 and 318 pounds. The guards are Tyler Voltin is 6-foot-4 and weighs 368 pounds and Joshua Gray at a mere 6-4 and 310 pounds.
Oregon State’s game plan offensively won’t be much of a mystery. The Beavers want to open holes for tailbacks Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson. Each is averaging over 100 yards a game and has three touchdowns to their name.
However, Oregon State is missing tight end Jack Velling and his eight touchdowns from a year ago. He has moved on to Michigan State with former coach Jonathan Smith and that absence has been sorely missed so far.
The OSU defense has played well so far this season, including pitching a shut out at San Diego State, a rarity in college football these days.
Oregon State has also just allowed 168 yards through the air and a couple of reasons they are that good are defensive backs Jaden Robinson and Skyler Thomas. Both are upperclassmen and both lead the Beavers with nine tackles each.
“Defensively, they’re very sound and present some tough looks. so it’s going to be a fun challenge for us,” Lanning said.
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