Oregon State Seeks First Win Against Lafayette on Saturday Night

Corvallis, Oregon — The Oregon State Beavers (0-7) are set to face the Lafayette Leopards (5-2) in their first meeting on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET at Reser Stadium. This game offers a chance for OSU to finally clinch their first victory of the season after struggling through a challenging start.

With the news of the firing of head coach Jonathan Bray still lingering, the Beavers are navigating significant team changes. Several players, including Salahadin Allah, Kourdey Glass, and Jackson Bowers, who have participated in four or fewer games due to injuries, may choose to sit out the remainder of the season to preserve their eligibility. Interim head coach Robb Akey emphasized that the team is focused on drawing motivation from one another.

Lafayette enters the game with a potent offense, underpinned by their running game. The Leopards’ dynamic duo of junior running backs, Kente Edwards and Ethan Weber, poses a serious challenge for OSU’s defense. Edwards boasts an average of 8.2 yards per carry, while Weber has 453 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season.

The Beavers will turn to Maalik Murphy and Gabarri Johnson at quarterback. Although Murphy has experienced a rocky season, coaches indicate that Johnson will see significant playing time to help spark the offense. Effective quarterback play will be crucial if Oregon aims to capitalize on Lafayette’s defensive vulnerabilities.

The Leopards’ offense has ranked well in FCS, showcasing their ability to generate yards and points. In contrast, Oregon State’s defense has struggled, ranking among the bottom in the FBS in yards allowed per game. Nevertheless, this could be an opportunity for OSU to turn things around.

“There’s some goals that are still out there for this football team in regards to winning a damn game together,” Akey said. “My hope is they will draw on each other to make those things happen.”

Fans are eager to see if Oregon State can break their losing streak and find success at home in this pivotal matchup against Lafayette.