Pac-12 previews: Oregon State finally had a winning season in 2021, so what’s next for the Beavers?

Editor’s observe: Third in a sequence of articles inspecting every of the Pac-12 soccer groups heading into the 2022 season.

Earlier than final season, Oregon State hadn’t had a profitable season, or gone to a bowl sport since 2013. 

That modified in 2021, because the Beavers completed with a 7-6 file and performed in a bowl sport — a loss to Utah State within the L.A. Bowl.

On high of that, Oregon State handed Pac-12 champion Utah its solely convention loss final season, a wild 42-35 shootout victory in Corvallis.

Earlier than the annual rivalry sport in opposition to Oregon, coach Jonathan Smith signed a brand new contract that carries him via the 2027 season.  

“Coach (Jonathan) Smith has led the resurgence of our soccer program in a method that has made all of Beaver Nation proud,” stated athletic director Scott Barnes. “Their regular progress, enchancment and success on the sphere, within the classroom and the group is clear. A robust basis has been laid for fulfillment and the way forward for Beaver soccer is brilliant on account of coach Smith’s management.”

OSU completed No. 19 nationally speeding final season, gaining 260 on the bottom in opposition to the Utes. 

The Beavers ranked fourth within the Pac-12 in whole yards and scoring a 12 months in the past.

Smith, who’s coming into his fifth season on the helm, is rebuilding the offensive line as a result of the Beavers want to interchange heart Nathan Eldridge and guard Nous Keobounnam. 

“What we return on the offensive line, the athleticism, the veterans in that group, they’ve had an excellent spring,” Smith informed the Pac-12 Community. “It begins up entrance and we really feel now we have a very good group of O-linemen.”

Additionally gone is operating again B.J. Baylor, who rushed for 1,337 yards, No. 16 within the nation. DeShaun Fenwick, who ran for just below 450 yards, is predicted to interchange Baylor. Freshman operating again Damien Martinez also needs to see quite a lot of enjoying time. 

Quarterback Likelihood Nolan threw for two,677 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions final 12 months. He’s battling for the beginning job with Tristan Gebbia, who began in 2020, and redshirt freshman Ben Gulbranson.

“And I believe that’s wholesome for Likelihood to know that he’s received two guys on his heels,” Smith informed The Athletic. “There’s lots that Likelihood desires to take a step up in his sport and enhance on, which he emphasised in the course of the spring — his command has actually grown since he’s began. He desires to be extra correct on the deep ball down the sphere. I believe we had some examples of that this spring. I believe all three guys we are able to win some video games with and rating factors. We’re simply going to determine a number of weeks into camp who offers us the perfect likelihood to do this.”

Defensively, OSU has a brand new coordinator in Trent Bray and wishes to interchange linebacker Avery Roberts. The energy of the Beaver defensive is predicted to be the secondary with safeties Jaydon Grant, Ron Hardge III, Wynston Russell and cornerbacks Alton Julian and Reizohn Wright.

2021 file: 7-6 (5-4 Pac-12).

Native ties

LB Riley Sharp (Skyline HS).

DL Omarion Fa’amoe (West HS).

2022 schedule

Sept. 3 Boise State

Sept. 10 @ Fresno State

Sept. 17 Montana State

Sept. 24 USC

Oct. 1 @ Utah

Oct. 8 @ Stanford

Oct. 15 @ Washington State

Oct. 22 Colorado

Nov. 4 @ Washington

Nov. 12 California

Nov. 19 @ Arizona State

Nov. 26 Oregon

Subsequent up: Stanford