With the start of the 2023 season just around the corner, BeaversEdge kicks off the first in an opponent preview series diving into all 12 of Oregon State’s opponents in 2023…
Up next is a home matchup with the Washington Huskies, the Beavers’ final home game of the 2023 season…
MORE: Depth Chart Prediction: Defense | Opponent Preview: Stanford | Two-Deep Depth Chart Prediction | Beavers Land OL Terrell Kim | Reser Report: Inside Recruiting & Team Scoop | Opponent Preview: Colorado | Slaughter’s Take: Beavers Made Right Call With DJU | FALL CAMP HQ
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THE GAME
Date: Saturday, November, 18th, 2023
Time: TBD
Location: Reser Stadium – Corvallis, Ore.
TV: TBD
Oregon State 2022 record: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)
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Washington 2022 record: 11-2 (1-9 P12)
Washington Head Coach: Kalen DeBoer (90-11 overall, 11-2 at UW)
DID YOU KNOW? The last two matchups between OSU and UW have been decided by a total of six points…
Washington 2022 Recap
After stumbling to a 4-8 record in the 2021 campaign and dismissing then-head coach Jimmy Lake, the Washington Huskies had about as perfect of a first year under new HC Kalen DeBoer as they could, going 11-2 overall with an Alamo Bowl victory.
It was a plus for the Huskies that they missed Utah and USC on the schedule, but the Huskies managed big-time wins over Oregon and Oregon State that allowed them to rise up the Pac-12 ranks.
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On the flip side, the Huskies’ two conference losses, two losses that kept them out of the Pac-12 Championship game, came at the hands of UCLA, which is a respectable loss, and Arizona State, which certainly isn’t.
Transfer quarterback Michael Penix Jr. led the nation in passing yards and put up numbers that were almost video-game-like at times, with several big-time receivers out wide. That trio returns in 2023 and should be the anchor of a strong offensive unit…
Best Win: vs Oregon (37-34)
Worst Loss: vs Arizona State (45-38)
2022 Schedule
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Washington 2023 Outlook
With what the Huskies have returning on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, it’s reasonable to assume they’re going to be just as good this season.
Back is the entire core of the high-flying, vertical passing game while the defense figures to be able to put a ton of pressure on the quarterback with a pair of future Sunday EDGE rushers.
While I do expect the Huskies to be a big-time challenge on the schedule, their schedule is much harder than last season with trips to USC and Oregon State, in addition to having tough home games against Utah and Oregon.
I don’t think Washington will quite be able to replicate last season’s success, especially when they’re replacing three offensive linemen up front, but each football season is unique and the ball bounces funny ways.
I see a range of outcomes for the Huskies this season, and it all depends on whether Penix is able to be an elite quarterback once again. If he isn’t able to find that same magic again or isn’t quite as efficient, the Huskies will drop more than two games in 2023…
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Look for the Huskies’ schedule to ultimately be the reason they aren’t in the Pac-12 Championship come December…
Key Players: QB Michael Penix, WR Rome Odunze, WR Jalen McMillian, RB Dillon Johnson, EDGE Bralen Trice, EDGE Zion Tupuola-Fetui
2023 Schedule
Season Projection: 9-3
Early Prediction
This one is tough…
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Oregon State having a big-time season hinges on them winning at least two of the three big-time Pac-12 games they’ll play this season (Utah, UW, UO), and given that this is another one of those matchups in Reser Stadium, the Beavers must take advantage.
There should be no shortage of motivation in this matchup as the Beavers will be looking to even the score after a painful 24-21 loss in Seattle last season when OSU was just plays away from emerging victorious.
Michael Penix and the Huskies will present offensive challenges across the board with their high-flying offense, but the Beavers had a solid game plan defensively for them a season ago. The secondary may not be quite as strong this season, but by the end of the season when this matchup takes place, the Beavers’ new-look DB group should be quite seasoned and ready for the task.
Additionally, the Beavers should be able to generate some more pressure on Penix with an improved pass rush and home-field advantage, further bolstering the defensive efforts.
Offensively, with DJ Uiagalelei under center, the Beavers should be more than ready to meet the Huskies’ defensive game plan from a season ago.
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The Beavers were able to move the ball via the ground, but it was the over-the-top deep ball that alluded them and cost them a shot at victory. With stronger QB play, a deeper receiver/tight end room, and a strong running game and offensive line, I think the Beavers will be able to score more points than last year.
This should be a dandy of a contest, but I’ve got the Beavers and Smith getting a dose of revenge on Penix, DeBoer, and Co. in Corvallis…
Dan Lanning looks to be turning Oregon into one of college football’s next great powers and Thursday night is arguably his biggest move yet.
In a move that may surprise some around the country, the No. 4 overall prospect, five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore, has committed to Oregon.
Moore, out of Texas powerhouse Duncanville (Texas) is the No. 1 ranked wide receiver prospect in the 2025 cycle.
The 6-foot, 180-pounder chose the Ducks over Texas, LSU, and Ohio State.
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Moore was once committed to LSU, from August 2023 to May 2024, but reopened his recruitment before going on a string of official visits to his final four contenders. His final official visit was to Oregon the weekend of June 21.
The visit to Oregon was just his second time on campus, so the experience was a much needed one for Moore and his family. The visit was crucial for Dakorien to learn about the daily life of being at Oregon and everything in regards to life in Eugene.
“It was fantastic,” his mother, Marjahn Moore told Rivals following that visit.
“I love the staff there. The love they have for my son is so genuine I know they’ll take great care of him.”
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“Since it was an OV, I was able to bring my family out and my boys fell in love with the city and the people that they’ve only known through the phone. (Dakorien) has a great bond with a few of the players already so he was able to tap in and pick their brain in regards to life in Eugene.”
As a junior at Duncanville, Moore racked up 1,486 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns on 69 receptions. This was after his breakout sophomore campaign in which he hauled in 44 passes for 747 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
With the addition of Moore, he is now the second five-star prospect in Oregon’s 2025 recruiting class, joining running back Jordon Davison. He is the 15th total commitment of the class.
His commitment also helps Oregon’s class move from No. 8 to T-No.4 in the 2025 Recruiting Team Rankings.
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Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on Rivals.com, the leader in college football and basketball recruiting coverage. Be the first to know and follow your teams by signing up here.
As we get closer to 2024 NFL training camps, preseason rankings are dominating the sports news in Detroit with former Oregon Ducks lineman, Penei Sewell leading the way. He has been a dominant force dating back to his days when he anchored the offensive line for the Oregon Ducks and is now recognized as the highest rated lineman in the NFL. In addition, his Lions’ offensive line is also best in the NFL.
Sewell’s full college resume is far too long for inclusion here, but several of his accomplishments stand out. He was the first Polynesian, first sophomore offensive lineman and first Duck to win the Outland Trophy. Sewell joined LaMichael James (2010) and Marcus Mariota (2014) as the only Oregon players to be unanimous first-team All-Americans.
He finished his sophomore campaign as the top-graded offensive lineman in Pro Football Focus (PFF) history (since 2014). Sewell allowed just one sack over 1,376 snaps in two seasons as a Duck, and Oregon went 17-3 in the two seasons with him in the starting lineup.
Apr 20, 2019; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Penei Sewell (58) blocks a defender during the Oregon spring game at Autzen Stadium. Mighty Oregon beat Fighting Ducks 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports / Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Sewell opted out of his junior year in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was Detroit’s 7th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. To no one’s surprise, his dominance has continued into the NFL. Sewell has allowed just three sacks over the past two seasons with the Lions, per PFF. Sewell has also earned back-to-back Pro Bowl honors and was named a 2023 first-team All-Pro.
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As a result of his stellar play, the Lions and Sewell have agreed to terms on a four-year, $112 million contract extension that includes $85 million guaranteed, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season after factoring in Sewell’s fifth-year option, according to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo. The $28 million in new-money average over four years makes Sewell the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL, besting Laremy Tunsil’s $25 million per year mark.
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell takes a selfie with Zach Kelsey and his son Sawyer, 13, both of
Twin falls, Idaho, during warm up before the NFC championship game against San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
Of course, Sewell is not the only highly ranked lineman in Detroit. PFF offered this rationale in naming Detroit’s line best in the NFL.
“When healthy, the Lions’ offensive line was arguably the best unit in the NFL last season. Right tackle was the league’s highest-graded offensive lineman, and earned the top spot among centers. The Lions only loss through free agency was right guard, Jonah Jackson. In response, Detroit signed veteran guard, Kevin Zeitler, who ranked 15th in PFFs grade among guards in 2023.”
In fact, all of Detroit’s 2024 projected starters rank in the top 15 at their respective positions.
LT: Taylor Decker — 81.1 (9th out of 81 offensive tackles ranked)
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LG: Graham Glasgow — 74.9 (8th out of 79 offensive guards ranked)
C: Frank Ragnow — 88.8 (1st out of 36 centers ranked)
RG: Kevin Zeitler — 71.6 (15th out of 79 offensive guards ranked)
RT: Penei Sewell — 92.8 (1st out of 81 offensive tackles ranked)
Sewell is without a doubt the leader of this elite unit and has impressed coach Dan Campbell with his work ethic and attitude.
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Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
“I can’t say enough great things about Sewell,” Campbell said. “He’s our foundation. He’s one of those pillars that we talk about. He’s something else. He’s a man on a mission. I feel like we’re a team on a mission, but he is a man on a mission. You talk about being wired right, a guy that comes in every day, puts in the work, and he’s got so much ability but he’s got the right attitude, too, and I think that’s what makes him dangerous if you’re the opponent.”
Right tackle on a football team is not known as a glamorous position and usually only gets noticed when a mistake was made. In the case of Penei Sewell, he may not have raised awareness of the position, but he goes about his business, not looking for awards or recognition, but rather chasing championships. Ducks’ fans had a relatively brief view of what this man can do and now Detroit has that luxury with a Super Bowl title lurking in the future.
Former Oregon Duck basketball star Sabrina Ionescu has the highest honor of wearing Team USA across her chest for the first time her young, illustrious career. Before heading off to the Paris Olympics in the search for gold, she will have the opportunity to compete against the rest of the country’s best who didn’t make the cut.
The WNBA All-Star Game rosters are officially set and two of the top rookies in the league are leading the team. Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky will be teammates on Team WNBA. There was a lot of skepticism as to why the most popular player on the planet wasn’t named to the Team USA roster. A major head-scratcher.
Jun 25, 2024; Belmont Park, New York, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates after making a three point shot against the Minnesota Lynx in the second quarter of the Commissioner’s Cup Championship game at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
Ionescu of the New York Liberty, Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty, Kelsey Plum of the Las Vegas Aces, A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury are apart of the stacked Team USA roster. The former Oregon Duck is currently averaging 18.7 points per game, 6.5 assists per game, 4.4 rebounds per game and 1.0 steals per game this season. She is 41.9% from the field, 34.0% on three-pointers and 90.5% from the free throw line.
“You’re just able to tell how they carry themselves and how they go about their business every single drill, recovery, what they eat,” Ionescu said. “It’s just an opportunity to get the best players in the world together and figure out what makes them so great. Everyone’s so unique in their own way, and these opportunities don’t come by often.”
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“Everyone wants to put USA across their chests and represent their country, and I never take one of these moments for granted.”
At last season’s All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, Ionescu won the WNBA Three-Point Shootout. At the 2022 All-Star Weekend in Chicago, the Oregon star won the WNBA Skills Competition.
It should be a jam-packed All-Star Weekend in Phoenix this summer. You can catch the exciting action between Ionescu’s Team USA and the WNBA All-Stars on Saturday, July 20th at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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