Oregon

Takeaways from Oregon State football’s first day of fall camp 2024

Published

1 year ago

July 31, 2024

Takeaways from Oregon State football’s first day of fall camp 2024

CORVALLIS — Plenty has changed about the Oregon State football program over the past eight months; both on and off the field.

But, as the Beavers kicked off the 2024 season with their first day of fall camp Wednesday at Prothro Field, first-year head coach Trent Bray was adamant that the expectations for his program haven’t changed despite a tumultuous offseason that featured a mass exodus of player and coaching talent.

“The physical talent is here. From a size, strength, speed standpoint, it’s here — we can win the games we need to win with the talent we have here,” Bray said. “Now, it’s just gonna be about how fast we can come together. How fast can these guys play?”

Bray was elevated as OSU’s head coach in November following Jonathan Smith’s departure to Michigan State. He served as the Beavers’ defensive coordinator for three years under Smith and now will be tasked with sustaining one of the more successful stints in program history. The Beavers went 8-5 last season, 10-3 in 2022 and ended both seasons inside the top 25 of the College Football Playoff year-end rankings.

With the Aug. 31 season-opener against Idaho State exactly one month away, Bray and the Beavers began fall practices under sunny Corvallis skies on Wednesday.

Fall practices will be open to reporters and photographers throughout camp, but reporting on injuries, formations and players who missed practice is prohibited by OSU officials. With that in mind, here are some notes and takeaways from the Beavers’ first practice of the 2024 season.

Oregon State quarterback battle takes shape

It’s no secret that the Beavers are in search of a new starting signal-caller following the offseason departures of DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles.

If Wednesday’s practice was any indicator, a name that is familiar to many Oregon State fans might be the early frontrunner to lock down the job.

Ben Gulbranson, a fifth-year junior who started eight games for OSU in 2022, looked the sharpest of the Beavers’ quarterbacks by a wide margin on the first day of camp. Gulbranson completed several deep, explosive throws — including a long touchdown to Trent Walker and a well-placed shot to Jhae Drummer in triple coverage.

“We know who (Gulbranson) is; he’s a great leader, a great teammate,” Bray said. “He just does everything you ask. Looking forward to seeing how he continues to progress.”

Gulbranson is competing for the starting job with Idaho transfer Gevani McCoy and Missouri transfer Gabarri Johnson, among others.

“It’s really going to be the consistency of running the offense and making good decisions,” Bray said of what he will be looking for from his quarterbacks throughout fall camp. “Who can do that on a day in and day out basis is really what we’re looking for.”

OSU revamps receiver room

For all the departures Oregon State saw up and down its roster throughout the offseason, it scored a few notable victories in the receiver department. Bray retained a respected assistant in longtime receivers coach Kefense Hynson and bolstered the position by adding former Michigan standout Darrius Clemons and four-star signee Jordan Anderson.

But the four receivers from last year’s squad who saw the most playing time (Silas Bolden, Anthony Gould, Jesiah Irish and Rweha Munyagi Jr.) have departed the program. In that sense, there will be plenty of playing time up for grabs in 2024.

Clemons, a 6-foot-3 wideout, failed to carve out a consistent role during his two seasons with the Wolverines. But he was a highly touted prospect coming out of Westview High School in Portland as a senior in the 2022 class and has the chance to be a go-to deep threat during his debut season with the Beavers.

“From a teammates standpoint, he’s just a natural leader,” Bray said. “He just brings that. The football part has yet to be seen because he’s only practiced today; he didn’t practice all spring. But, from a leadership standpoint, his work ethic, how much he studies — he’s always in the building — he brings a ton.”

Joshua Gray’s position switch for Beavers

Joshua Gray, arguably Oregon State’s top returning player from last year’s squad, was full-go during Wednesday’s practice and is in the midst of a position transition.

Gray has started at left tackle for the Beavers each of the last four seasons and is a three-time second-team all-conference selection. Despite generating plenty of NFL buzz last offseason, he put his professional career on hold and opted to return to Corvallis for a fifth year.

But, he has made the move to the interior offensive line and will spend fall camp repping at left guard and center.

“He wants to move inside, especially for his opportunity at the next level,” Bray said. “He’ll play guard and center for us and work that to make him more valuable at that next level. That will be learning a lot of new things about the inside position as we go through fall camp.”

According to Pro Football Focus, Gray allowed just seven quarterback hurries last season — the fourth-fewest in the Pac-12 among offensive linemen who played regularly. On Wednesday he was the last Oregon State offensive lineman to leave the practice field and was seen putting in extra work on the blocking sleds as Bray spoke with reporters.

“It will be easy for him,” Bray said of Gray making the move to the interior. “Coach (Jim Michalczik) did a great job all the time of teaching those guys all five (offensive line) spots. Coach (Kyle DeVan) does the same thing. So, that transition is not that tough. But it will take a little work physically.”

Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X @jarrid_denney

Source link

Click to comment

Oregon

Tale of the tape: Previewing Oregon’s Class 3A football state title game between Cascade Christian and Burns

Published

17 hours ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Tale of the tape: Previewing Oregon’s Class 3A football state title game between Cascade Christian and Burns

We’re at the final week of Oregon high school football and the Class 3A state tournament all comes down to No. 1 Cascade Christian (12-0) and No. 3 Burns (11-1).

Here is a breakdown of Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game, which will take place at 4:30 p.m. at Summit High School in Bend.

Last meeting: Burns won 46-19 in Week 3 of the 2014 season.

Quick fact: Cascade Christian is vying to become the first team to give up zero points en route to a state title since Regis won the Class A championship in 1973.

About Burns

Road to the final: Def. Phoenix 54-7 (first round), Vale 32-20 (quarterfinals), Banks 36-31 (semifinals)

Last state championship: 2024 (second)

Last state final: 2024 (fifth appearance)

Coach: Matt Bruck, third season (28-14)

Offensive leaders: QB Jack Wright, sr. (144-246-3-2445, 40 TDs pass; 88-491-12 rush); RB Tommy Winn, sr. (139-943-9); WR Coltin Miller, sr. (79-1505-21); WR Preston Hill, sr. (31-471-7); TE Cannon Kemper, jr. (19-342-8)

Defensive leaders: LB Jasper SkunkCap, jr. (73 tackles, 15 for loss); DL Joe Weil, sr. (68 tackles, 28 for loss, 11.5 sacks); LB Kemper (69 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks); LB Colter Handley, soph. (56 tackles, 5 for loss); DL Ben Chamberlain, jr. (13 tackles for loss)

Lighthearted moment: Several weeks ago, the team played a game of “blob tag,” which requires teammates to remain attached by holding hands or interlocking arms, and as they tag players and attach them to the blob, it breaks off to form new blobs. Who started as the blob? Two of their biggest linemen — Weil and classmate Wesley Graham — trying to chase down their quicker teammates, which Bruck said was a funny sight.

Secret weapon: Weil also rated a mention as the leader of the Hilanders’ offensive and defensive lines.

“On the offensive side of the ball, they create gaps for Tommy and Jack to run through as well as protect Jack,” Challengers coach Jon Gettman said. “On defense, they just shut down a Banks team that had run the ball really well all season. They are a very physical, well-coached team that puts a lot of pressure on you.”

About Cascade Christian

Road to the final: Def. Pleasant Hill 68-0 (first round), North Valley 48-0 (quarterfinals), Gervais 36-0 (semifinals)

Last state championship: 2023 (fifth)

Last state final: 2023 (eighth appearance)

Coach: Jon Gettman, 16th season (155-32)

Offensive leaders: QB Deryk Farmer, sr. (89-147-4-1556, 16 TDs pass; 64-682-11 rush); RB Bryson Walker, jr. (89-986-27); WR Caleb Scaglione, sr. (38-563-7); WR Mikey Covey, soph. (11-353-2); WR Caleb Parker, sr. (15-335-3)

Defensive leaders: LB Covey (63 tackles, 14 for loss, 3.5 sacks, 11 hurries); LB Wyatt Hurley, jr. (59 tackles, 6 for loss); LB Walker (58 tackles); DE Alex Fiannaca, sr. (53 tackles, 11.5 for loss); LB Seth Scaglione, jr. (44 tackles, 10 for loss, 4.5 sacks); DE Austin Cook, jr. (9.5 tackles for loss)

Lighthearted moment: One night before the season kicked off, Gettman invited all the players and their fathers to gather for a night of worship and prayer along with a talk from guest speaker Brandon Boice, a former Oregon State player. It was such a success that Gettman held another session during their Week 7 bye.

“We spend so much time and effort on the gridiron,” Gettman said. “But the greatest blessing is seeing these young men grow up and be leaders in the community. So, taking a break from the season and just being able to speak to the weightier things of life is what I’m thankful for.”

Secret weapon: Bruck pointed to their big three of Farmer, Walker and Caleb Scaglione, “but everything has to run through their quarterback,” he said. “But really, you have to pay equal attention to their trio.”

— René Ferrán is a freelance reporter for The Oregonian/Oregon Live. René grew up in Portland and has written about high school sports in the Pacific Northwest since 1993, with his work featured at the Idaho Press Tribune, Tri-City Herald, Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, The Columbian and High School on SI. He can be reached at rferran.oregonianhssports@gmail.com

Source link

Oregon

Oregon State women can’t keep up with No. 17 Vanderbilt in second loss of season

Published

1 day ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

Oregon State women can’t keep up with No. 17 Vanderbilt in second loss of season

Oregon State women’s basketball failed to keep pace with a dynamic offensive team Thursday night, as No. 17 Vanderbilt ran away from OSU, 88-66, in the Paradise Jam Tournament.

Playing their first game in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Beavers (5-2) struggled against a high-pressure Vanderbilt defense, committing 21 turnovers.

The Commodores (7-0) got a game-high 35 points from superstar sophomore Mikayla Blakes and a career-high 17 from Justin Pissott. OSU got 15 points apiece from Jenna Villa and Ally Schimel, and 14 from Lizzy Williamson.

OSU fell behind 8-0 early, facing intense defensive pressure from the Commodores. Blakes was a force from the opening whistle, scoring 21 first half points.

The Beavers trailed, 26-13, after one, as Vanderbilt hit five three-pointers in the opening quarter alone.

But aggressive offensive play from Villa and Schimel cut the Commodores’ lead down to two in the second quarter.

With 2:30 left in the first half, a three-pointer from Cloe Vecina gave OSU the lead, 33-32. But Vanderbilt finished the half strong and took a 43-38 lead at the break thanks to the relentless scoring of Blakes and Pissott.

Vanderbilt carried their strong shooting into the third quarter, going on a 7-0 run to get it to 50-38.

The full-court press started to wear OSU down in the third, and Blakes took full advantage with easy buckets in transition. The Commodores extended their lead to 58-42 midway through the period.

Vanderbilt kept its foot on the gas pedal and didn’t look back, as Scott Rueck’s team committed 11 turnovers in the third quarter alone, getting out-scored 30-9. The Commodores went on a 21-5 run and took a 73-47 lead into the fourth.

Next game: Oregon State (5-2) vs. Virginia Tech (5-2)

When: Saturday, Nov. 29
Time: 11:00 a.m. PT
Where: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (Paradise Jam tournament)
Stream: ESPN+

Source link

Oregon

Thousands of Americans advised to avoid outdoors in California, Oregon

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

Press Room

Thousands of Americans advised to avoid outdoors in California, Oregon

Thousands of residents across parts of California and Oregon have been advised to stay indoors where possible on Thursday due to concerns over high levels of air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s AirNow map shows that areas including Cromberg, Portola, and Sattley in California, and La Pine in Oregon face “unhealthy” levels of air quality as on 03.10 a.m. ET on Thursday.

Why It Matters

Unhealthy levels of air pollution in the atmosphere can affect everyone, but vulnerable people, especially the elderly, children, and those with existing heart or lung conditions, can be particularly affected.

Exposure to poor air can lead to eye, throat, and nose irritation, coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.

When pollution is in the “unhealthy” range, the EPA advises that sensitive groups avoid long or intense outdoor activities and consider moving or rescheduling them indoors. The EPA also recommends the remainder of the population to reduce long or intense activities, and to take more breaks during outdoor activities.

This is a developing story. More to follow.

Source link