Oregon
Oregon State Beavers put 2nd straight bowl game on list of football season goals
After reaching their first bowl sport since 2013 final season, the Oregon State Beavers need extra.
“We’re not a completed product by any stretch,” coach Jonathan Smith stated. “However over the 4 years being right here as the pinnacle coach, actually pleased with the event we’ve had, the competitiveness, successful extra video games than we misplaced final yr.”
Oregon State has steadily risen beneath Smith: It went 2-10 in his first season, 2018. Final season, the Beavers completed 7-6 — their first successful report in eight seasons.
Whereas the Beavers fell within the LA Bowl to Utah State, Smith acknowledges the progress made and that they should construct on it.
A number of the keys to success have moved on, together with receiver Trevon Bradford, operating again B.J. Baylor and main tackler Avery Roberts.
However Probability Nolan is again and more likely to be the beginning quarterback once more. And the lineup contains promising freshman operating again Damien Martinez, who impressed on the workforce’s spring sport, and final season’s high returner, Deshaun Fenwick.
“We really feel like now we have a veteran group that has discovered now what it takes to win. We’ve obtained a whole lot of these guys again,” Smith stated. “I’m wanting ahead to seeing what we are able to do that yr, understanding how aggressive, particularly this league, is.”
Maturity issues
Though there was a quarterback competitors in fall camp, the beginning nod will nearly assuredly go to Nolan.
A redshirt junior, Nolan began in 12 video games for the Beavers final season, throwing 2,677 yards for 19 touchdowns. He had a 64.2% completion charge.
“What I like about Probability is how aggressive he’s. I feel he shows that in his fashion of play,” Smith stated. “Being aggressive within the pocket but in addition extending the play, getting some additional yards, gaining first downs.”
The query is who will again him up. The highest candidates are Tristan Gebbia, who began in 4 video games in 2020 however did not play final season due to an damage, and redshirt freshman Ben Gulbranson, additionally sidelined final season with an damage.
Highway woes
The Beavers beat USC on the Coliseum final yr, which was Oregon State’s first highway win over the Trojans since 1960.
The issue was that it was additionally Oregon State’s lone highway victory.
The schedule this yr features a robust sport at No. 7 Utah, however the Beavers get to host the Trojans and the No. 11 Oregon Geese.
Development zone
Oregon State’s Reser Stadium is within the midst of a $161 million makeover, with development to go on all through the season.
The west facet of the stadium is now a metal skeleton that may ultimately grow to be three tiers of latest seating. A brand new $5 million video scoreboard needs to be working by the workforce’s opener in opposition to Boise State on Sept. 3.
“It will likely be somewhat bit totally different for us in a stadium that’s half-built … Taking part in a season in about half a stadium stuffed,” Smith stated. “However we’re actually wanting ahead to, when (development) finishes … to be in the most effective soccer services and stadiums within the nation.”
Oregon State expects the stadium to be accomplished by June.
Mountain West woes
The Beavers open the season in opposition to a pair of Mountain West opponents, first at dwelling in opposition to Boise State earlier than a sport at Fresno State.
Final season, Mountain West groups have been 6-5 in opposition to Pac-12 groups, together with Utah State’s victory over the Beavers within the LA Bowl. It was the third time since 1999 and first since 2008 that the convention has had a successful report over the Pac-12.
Moreover, the Mountain West champion has gained 4 of the previous 5 bowl video games in opposition to the Pac-12.
The competitors between the 2 leagues ought to garner extra consideration as Pac-12 faces an unsure future with realignment.
Oregon
Oregon town among 25 adult spring break 2025 destinations recommended by travel magazine
While spring break vacations are often thought of as a time for students to cut loose, Condé Nast Traveler suggests that adults deserve their own spring break getaways, and offers a list of 25 places to do just that.
The travel publication and website notes that spring break trips are “shining examples of one of the greatest travel hacks out there,” in that they can be enjoyed in the transitional months outside summer and winter peak travel periods.
To get a head start on making travel plans, Condé Nast Traveler rounded up 25 adult spring break destinations for 2025. And, no surprise, an Oregon town made the cut, another example of how Oregon hotels, campsites, beaches, food and more tend to show up on these kinds of best-of lists.
The Oregon spot that landed among the adult spring break recommendations is Bend, the central Oregon town known for its scenic beauty, nearby recreational opportunities, comfortable lodging, delicious food, and more.
According to the Condé Nast Traveler article, “The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful parts of the United States. To soak up all that nature but still get the perks of city living, head straight to Bend, Oregon (about three hours south of Portland). The town receives an annual average of 300 days of sunshine, giving visitors ample opportunities to go hiking through the Cascades or kayaking and fly fishing on the Deschutes River. Make sure you set aside some time to visit a brewery (or five) along the Bend Ale Trail.”
Bend is in eclectic company where adult spring break destinations are concerned. The Condé Nast Traveler list also includes New York City; Puerto Rico; Belize; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Samaná Bay, Dominican Republic; Oaxaca, Mexico; Anguilla; Holland; Kyoto, Japan; Panama City, Panama; Antigua; Bolivia; Vancouver Island, Canada; Healdsburg, California; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Grand Canyon National Park; The Azores; Miami, Florida; Black River, Jamaica; Costa Rica; Alabama’s Gulf Coast; and San Diego, California.
— Kristi Turnquist covers features and entertainment. Reach her at 503-221-8227, kturnquist@oregonian.com or @Kristiturnquist
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Oregon
WR Benson commits to play for Oregon in 2025
Former Florida State and Alabama wide receiver Malik Benson, who has an extra year thanks to the recent NCAA ruling on junior college players, told ESPN that he has committed to play at Oregon next year.
Benson told ESPN on Tuesday that he picked the Ducks because he was impressed with the coaching staff and was intrigued by the opportunity to play with quarterback Dante Moore, who projects as the Ducks’ starter next year.
Until the ruling on Diego Pavia’s eligibility changed the paradigm for junior college players, Benson had been set to start training for the NFL draft process.
“I’m just glad that the Lord blessed me with another opportunity and another year,” Benson told ESPN upon entering the portal. “I will not take this for granted.”
Benson began his college career at Hutchinson Community College, where he emerged as the nation’s top junior college prospect regardless of position. He played one season at Alabama, where he had 13 receptions in 14 games for 162 yards and a touchdown.
He transferred to Florida State, where he caught 25 balls for 311 yards and a touchdown this season. On his career, he averages 12.5 yards per catch.
Oregon’s receiving room lost star Tez Johnson to the NFL and is awaiting on an NFL decision from Evan Stewart, who missed the Rose Bowl with a back injury and slumped late in the year for the Ducks.
They do bring in the country’s top receiving prospect in Dakorien Moore, who is ESPN’s No. 3 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.
Oregon
Former state budget writer Elizabeth Steiner sworn in Oregon Treasurer
What are Oregon’s state symbols?
From birds to beverages and flowers to fossils, these icons of history, nature and pride represent Oregon.
Elizabeth Steiner made history Monday as she was sworn in by Gov, Tina Kotek as Oregon’s first female and openly LGBTQ+ Treasurer.
Steiner said she was “unbelievably happy” and would work to take a “both/and” approach to issues.
“As a family physician, I am all too aware that financial insecurity is the leading cause of poor health. Too many Oregonians are living with what appears to be an unbreakable ceiling between them and financial security,” she said.
Steiner helped write Oregon’s budget as co-chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee from 2018 to 2024. She was first appointed to the state senate in 2012 and represented northwest Portland and Beaverton until resigning after being elected treasurer.
Prior to becoming Treasurer, Steiner was a doctor for more than 30 years and an associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University beginning in 1999.
She campaigned on making programs like Oregon Saves and the College Saving Plan more accessible.
Steiner pledged she would “double the percentage of children in Oregon with a college savings plan, ensure that the vast majority of Oregonians are saving for retirement, significantly expand the reach of the ABLE program, and establish child savings accounts so that every child born in Oregon has savings available to them when they turn 18.”
Steiner’s election marks the last of Oregon’s statewide offices to be filled by a woman, or “the longest-lasting glass ceiling in Oregon’s politics,” as presenter Kerry Tymchuk said.
Tymchuk is the executive director of the Oregon Historical Society, where the swearing-in was held.
Outgoing attorney general Ellen Rosenblum was the first female in the position when she took office in 2012. The first female secretary of state was Norma Paulus in 1977. Barbara Roberts became the state’s first female governor in 1991. Roberts, Rosenblum, Kotek and former Gov. Kate Brown all attended Steiner’s swearing in.
Kotek reflected on her 20-year history with Steiner and said she “couldn’t be more proud of [her] friend.”
Steiner ran against Republican Brian Boquist, who served alongside her in the Senate, and Working Families Party candidate Mary King.
As treasurer, Steiner is Oregon’s chief financial officer and oversees the treasury and public funds. She will join Secretary of State Tobias Read and Kotek on the State Land Board, overseeing the Department of State Lands and the Common School Fund.
In his last week as Treasurer, Read released the first annual progress report for a plan that would reduce the Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund (OPERF) portfolio to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Steiner campaigned on continuing those efforts and said she would see if it could be accomplished before the 2050 goal.
The first annual report evaluated some companies on their transition readiness and created an advisory group of retirees and unions representing public employees.
Steiner said she wanted the effort to be transparent and that while the environmental impact of “moving away from high carbon” and “getting a portfolio net zero” is a benefit of the plan, it is not the main focus.
“We’re doing that fundamentally to protect the pension fund,” Steiner said. “It is the fiduciarily responsible thing to do.”
Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.
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