Oregon State’s defense pitches a touchdown shutout during Saturday’s 2-hour scrimmage

There have been no scoreboards or followers. However it was clear the primary formal scrimmage of Oregon State’s preseason camp was received by the protection.

After two hours of scrimmaging Saturday, there have been no offensive touchdowns.

Now, some caveats. The No. 1 offense performed solely three sequence. There was no offensive script of performs. There have been no two-minute drills, and few purple zone conditions.

Nonetheless, there additionally had been no touchdowns over 120 minutes.

It’s worthy of a bow by the Beavers protection.

“We gave them nearly 100 performs,” OSU coach Jonathan Smith stated. “Now, we didn’t give them nice area place all through. However I imply, that’s a credit score to the protection.”

For the primary time of Smith’s five-year tenure, Oregon State might need a protection that may paved the way to a victory. It’s chock-full of veterans and a few playmakers. It will probably maintain its personal towards the run, make performs within the passing sport and ooze confidence.

Although, maybe being political, that’s not fairly how exterior linebacker John McCartan noticed the two-hour scrimmage.

“Whenever you take a look at offense vs. protection, it wasn’t a lot about us attempting to win the day,” he stated. “We’re each going on the market attempting to construct talent. The protection did numerous good issues, however the offense did numerous good issues.”

One plus for OSU’s protection is the return of defensive finish Isaac Hodgins, who missed the 2021 season with a damaged foot. Hodgins had his first stay motion in almost a 12 months this week in camp, and through Saturday’s scrimmage, Hodgins — who has 30 profession begins — performed on the primary and second defensive items.

“It’s enjoyable to see,” Smith stated. “He’s not enjoying with a lot limitation proper now.”

One other vital addition to the protection is McCartan, who like Hodgins, missed the 2021 season. The 6-foot-5 McCartan seems on his strategy to incomes a beginning job, as he’s a flexible playmaker who can rush the quarterback, drop into go protection and play enough run protection.

McCartan stated he’s been in a position to go 100% for a number of months after battling a hamstring harm final season.

“I really feel like I let lots of people down final 12 months and I’m simply desirous to get again on the market,” McCartan stated. “Lots of people are relying on me. It’s going to be an excellent 12 months.

Whereas the protection is answering questions on its development and energy, one other reply to a distinguished query seems across the nook. That’s, will Probability Nolan begin at quarterback this season?

Smith has steadfastly referred to as the beginning quarterback job a contest since Pac-12 media day in late July. However Nolan, who began 12 of 13 video games final season, has taken nearly all of reps with the beginning unit throughout camp. Nolan was the one quarterback to play with the No. 1 offense on Saturday.

Smith wasn’t prepared to call a starter after the scrimmage, although it’s apparent Nolan has an unlimited lead over Tristan Gebbia and Ben Gulbranson.

“We’ll watch this tape for certain,” Smith stated. “Timeline-wise, he has been enjoying effectively and has earned numerous these alternatives with the 1s.”

Saturday’s pattern dimension for Nolan to shine or produce questions was small. The beginning offense had solely 18 performs and Nolan completed 3 of seven for 29 yards. His greatest go was a pleasant crossing path to Tyjon Lindsey that went for 21 yards. Nolan additionally had a pleasant scramble for six yards, and was sacked as soon as by James Rawls.

Gebbia and Gulbranson took turns with the second and third offenses. Gebbia led the No. 2 offense on the most effective drive of the day, as he transformed a fourth-and-10, then hit J.T. Byrne with a 31-yard go to arrange a first-and-goal on the 2.

This was simply the closest name for OSU’s protection, but it surely responded by preserving the offense out of the tip zone, as Isaiah Newell was denied on fourth down.

One offensive space the place nothing was settled was working again. Coaches shuttled in a unique working again on almost each play. Provided that, it was tough to generate momentum from a working again.

Oregon State returns to apply Monday, then finishes the week with its ultimate camp scrimmage subsequent Saturday. Smith stated the aim of the primary scrimmage was to gauge progress of everybody on the roster after 10 days of camp. There’s prone to be a bit extra emphasis on the highest two offensive and defensive items throughout subsequent week’s scrimmage.

–Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel