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| Courtesy: Bleacher Report Mannion & Woods both had 2 TDs in their 77-3 win agains Nicholls State. |
The LBCC Commuter
Video/Sports Editor
Corvallis, Ore., 11:30am - A crowd attendance of 32,427 at Reser Stadium is the smallest crowd for the largest point win in the school history. Oregon State made good on their word of “revenge” as the manhandle Nicholls State 77-3.
Nicholls State, who is now 1-11, where simply outscored and dominated the Colonel’s in every facet of the game. Oregon State put up an impressive 683 yards of offense, yet the Colonel’s barely put up 174 yards. Oregon State had 42 first down conversions to Nicholls State’s 12. Oregon State didn’t punt the ball at all the whole game and scored on every single possession they had. Oregon State was perfect in red zone situations, going 10-10 and converted all three of their 4th downs. On the defensive side, Oregon State got 2 picks, recovered 2 of its 3 forced fumbles and 2 sacks. Jordan Poyer received his 7th interception, putting him #1 in the PAC-12 and a three-way tie for 2 in all of Division for most interceptions this season.
So what bowl is Oregon State going to receive? I’d like to think that Oregon State has a good chance at the Alamo Bowl, since their representatives have attended the last 3 home games. This would be great exposure for Oregon State recruiting, since they would probably face Oklahoma State (No. 23 in the BCS and 24 in the AP Poll). Since Oregon will be heading to the Tostitos Bowl and Stanford to the Rose Bowl, it’s either Oregon State or UCLA for the Alamo Bowl. So one of two ways, Oregon State will be looking like a likely hopeful for the Alamo and guaranteed the Holiday, if anything.
Going into their bowl game, it is imperative that Oregon State gets Storm Woods and Terron Ward going on the ground. This takes a lot of needed pressure off Mannion, who has been faulty under pressure. Like their game today, Oregon State needs to have the ability to control the ball, run down the clock and capitalize on their strong defense having plenty of time to rest. What it really comes down to is the Beavers making the other team play on their own terms.
Markus Wheaton will be a hard man to replace for Oregon State starting lineup, but with receivers of the future look quite promising for Oregon State. First, you have sophomore Brandin Cooks, who went for 1,000+ yards this season. Cooks, from Stockton, Calif., will be the number one receiver going into next year, no contest. He’s proved to be a deep threat and will fight for the jump ball. Cooks has never suffered from being under the shadow of Wheaton, showing that he is the receiver of the you have Connor Hamlett, who did play wide receiver in high school, will be taking over the starting spot at tight end. Hamlett has shown his ability to create yards after catch and check the defense on the short slants and dump passes.
Other key receivers is Micah Hatfield and Richard Mullaney. Hatfield has seen more time on the field this year and has nice acceleration. Mullaney is a very promising candidate, who could be the next Beaver to break Markus Wheaton’s record, is a redshirt freshman with size and speed. Standing at 6-3, 191 lbs., he will be a big target, something Oregon State hasn’t had the pleasure of this year.
The issue that will be on everyone’s mind is at quarterback for the Beavers next year. You have two great guys with Mannion and Vaz. We see two different styles of play that are both attractive and off-putting.
Mannion has the size and strength to execute the deep ball play and can see downfield, given he has the protection. On the other hand, Mannion has a tendency to force the ball into double, even triple coverage. His slow release has also plagued him in the interceptions category, since many of them were tipped throws right into the waiting defender’s hands. Mannion is also very consistently hot and cold. He’s either going to have a really good game or bad one.
Vaz is the complete opposite of Mannion. He’s calm, cool and collect when he walks up to the line of scrimmage. He doesn’t force throws as often, throwing only one pick this year. You can see that he has a nice touch as well, throwing nice lobs that land perfectly over defenders and his quick release and patiences allows for receivers to get open. The problem I have with Vaz is his willingness to take a hit. This is a guy who will sacrifice his body, just to get that perfect separation for the receivers. You can’t hate on him for that; but you gotta worry. Oregon State relies on the face they can create time in the pocket for their quarterbacks. We saw how Stanford’s consistent rush kept Vaz out of a rhythm and costed him his job after the ankle injury.
All in all, I think you have to give Mannion the start next year. He has two more years to grow, where Vaz has only one left. You know Vaz is better coming off the bench, anyway. The key is for Mannion to lower the amount of interceptions he has and spread the ball out a little more through his receivers. He won’t have Wheaton to rely on next year and needs to find that second receiver to balance out Cooks.
Big questions for next year
Game Recap:
Opening Drive on the Oregon State 28 yard line, Sean Mannion leads the charge down the field, finding five different receivers, going 6-6 on passes. Cody Hamlett grabs an 11 yard dump pass then lays out a Nicholls State player for a 20 yard game on the next play. On 2nd & 5 on the Nicholls State 8 yard line, running back Storm Woods takes it in for the 8 yard touchdown run. With the PAT good, lead 7-0 with 9:50 left in the first quarter.
91 yards, 12 plays 5:13 seconds
6:33 in the first, Oregon State shows extreme patience on this scoring drive. Mannion finds Wheaton for 14 yards to bring the ball to their own 23. Storm Woods gets four straight carries to for a gain of 29, putting the ball in Nicholls State’s 48 yard line. 2nd & 6, Mannion finds wide receiver Kevin Cummings for a 28 yard gain. Two plays later, Mannion finds Woods for a 12 yard gain, ball on the Nicholls State 20 yard line. Nicholls State shows some resistance, holding Oregon State to a 4th & goal situation. No problem for the Beavers, though, as Woods barrels into the endzone for a 1 yard touchdown run. The extra point by Romaine is good, as the Beavers lead 14-0 with 5:38 left in the game.
The Beavers start their drive at their own 13 yard line with 13:45 left in the half. Mannion comes out hot, finding Hatfield for 28 yards, then Wheaton for 9, bring the Beavers to midfield. Mannion then finds Wheaton for 8 yards, but Nicholls State is flagged for a 15 yard personal foul penalty, moving Oregon State to the Colonel’s 27. Mannion keeps the momentum going, finding Wheaton again for 11 yards and Cummings for 6 yards. This sets up a Wheaton 10 yard touchdown run for the Beavers. With the PAT good, the Beavers lead 21-0 with 11:09 remaining in the first half of play.
Backup Cody Vaz enters the game and the Beaver Nation gives him a warm welcome. Oregon State stars the drive at their own 38, Vaz goes 4-5 on passes, finding Wheaton for a 12, 16 and 17 yard gains. Then, running back Terron Ward finds some open space, juking and jiving for a 15 yard touchdown run. Romaine keeps up with the good PAT and Oregon State pulls ahead to a comfortable 28-0 lead with 7:40 left in the first half.
Oregon State looks to continue their rampage. This drive, Wheaton becomes the all-time record holder of receptions by an Oregon State receiver, beating out James Rodger’s 223. Wheaton’s 225 reception comes on a 2 yard touchdown score, solidifying him in the Oregon State greats.
With the PAT good, Oregon State leads 35-0
First play of the second half, Nicholls State quarterback Landry Klann throws a pick to Jordan Poyer. Oregon State gets the ball at the Colonel’s 24 yard line. Sean Mannion back in the lineup, fires across the endzone to freshman Richard Mullaney for a 4 yard touchdown pass. Romaine hits another PAT, as the Beavers lead 42-0. The Beavers went 24 yards in 6 plays on this scoring drive.
Oregon State starts at their own 33 with 10:45 in the third quarter, Ward starts off the drive with a nice 15 yard run up the middle, placing them at their own 48. Two plays later, Mannion finds Ward for a 13 yard gain. Nicholls State is flagged for a personal foul, moving Oregon State to their opponent’s 22. Next play, Mannion makes a nice throw over the defenders head to Cummings, who reels it for the 22 yard score. PAT is good and the Beavers lead 49-0.
Nicholls State starts to show some life. Starting at their own 15 with 8:56 in the 3rd quarter, Nicholls State’s Klann finds a rhythm with his receivers, going 6-8 on passes. In the redzone, Nicholls State can’t convert so settles for the field goal. Kick is good and Nicholls State puts a score on the board, making it 49-3.
Oregon State doesn’t stop their assertion of dominance. On their own 35, with 2:32 in the 3rd, Vaz comes back in the game. Vaz hits fullback Clayton York with a nice swing pass that goes for 31 yards, moving Oregon State to the Colonel’s 33. After a couple incompletions lead to 4th & 6 for the Beavers, Vaz completes to Mullaney for 20 yards. With a 2 yard run for running back Malcolm Agnew, the 3rd quarter expires. First play of the 4th quarter, Vaz finds sophomore receiver Obum Gwacham for a 7 yard touchdown pass. PAT is good and the Beavers extend their lead to 56-3.
Oregon State ball at their own 10 after a muffed punt by Terron Ward goes out of bounds. 13:36 left in the game, Agnew starts the drive with a 12 yard run, putting the Beavers at their own 22. Vaz finds walk-on Mitch Singler for a 23 yard gain, putting the Oregon State at their own 45. Agnew gets the ball again and breaks out a nice 21 yard run to set up another first down at the Nicholls State 34. Agnew gets the 6 yards on the next carry, fumbles it, but luckily recovers. On 3rd & 10 on the Nicholls State, Vaz finds running back Jordan Jenkins for a 20 yard touchdown pass. Romaine hits another PAT and the Beavers lead 63-3.
9:09 left in the game, Oregon State puts in freshman quarterback Richie Harrington. 3rd &13 on the Nicholls State 33, Harrington hooks up with Mullaney for a 14 yard gain. Couple plays later on the Colonel’s 11, Agnew fights through the middle for an 11 yard touchdown run. Romaine hits the extra point and Oregon State leads 70-3.
Oregon State capitalizes on a Nicholls State fumble by starting out at Colonel’s 43. Agnew pushes the ball out to the 35, when Harrington finds Singler for a 18 yard completion. Next play, Singler rushes for a 13 yard gain, spotting the ball at the 4. Freshman Michael Balfour takes the carry up the middle for a 4 yard touchdown run. PAT is good and Oregon State caps the game 77-3.
