Idaho, Oregon State collide for just third time since 1984
From local and wire reports
Neither team really has what could be termed a quarterback “controversy.”
But when Idaho (1-1) plays at Oregon State (1-1) today at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore., Idaho’s starter could be any of three players, and Oregon State’s starter won’t be who the Beavers expected it to be at the start of the season.
On Idaho's side is Mike Beaudry, a graduate transfer from Connecticut who threw for 196 yards and two touchdowns in a 56-14 loss at Indiana last weekend. Beaudry has been competing for the starting nod with freshman CJ Jordan.
Beaudry was 23 of 36 passing vs. the Hoosiers. Jordan was 0 for 3.
Coach Paul Petrino told reporters this week he thought Beaudry was better suited for the game against the Hoosiers, and that Jordan should see playing time against the Beavers.
"They'll both play this week and they'll both play this weekend and we'll look forward to them both playing better," Petrino said.
Against Simon Fraser in the opener, three quarterbacks played for Idaho. Zach Borisch, a converted running back and mostly a running threat at QB, started. But Jordan came in during the first series, and Beaudry played later in the half.
For the season, Beaudry is 33 of 51 for 312 yards, two TDs and no interceptions.
Jordan is 7 of 15 for 161 yards and two TDs, with no interceptions. He also has 66 rushing yards and a touchdown, compared to 62 for Beaudry and 33 for Borisch.
Borisch has yet to attempt a pass.
At Oregon State, Chance Nolan is making the most of his, well, chance as the Beavers’ starting quarterback.
Nolan threw for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns last weekend against Hawaii, and it's safe to say he will again be the starter today.
A sophomore, Nolan had to think back a bit to when he last threw for 300 yards, guessing it was when he was at Saddleback College before coming to Oregon State in January 2020.
"I think it's been over a year and a half so it feels good, feels real good," he said.
The Beavers went into preseason camp with a three-way competition at quarterback.
But Tristan Gebbia, who started last season but suffered a serious hamstring injury that required surgery, is dealing with soreness and is unavailable. Nolan was his backup last season.
Sam Noyer, who transferred to Oregon State after starting for Colorado last season, struggled in the opener against Purdue and was replaced by Nolan late in the third quarter.
"He didn't bat an eye in regards to his prep through the summer and fall camp, knowing it was a competition going on," Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith said. "We talked about it during fall camp, how close it was. That guy just kept plugging away, and he was totally prepared for this first start."
Oregon State is paying Idaho $675,000 for the visit, according to oregonlive.com.
WELCOME BACK
Idaho punter Caleb Lightbourn, a senior from Camas, Wash., punted for Oregon State last season, averaging 40.2 yards per punt, after punting at Nebraska the three seasons.
This year, Lightbourn is averaging 50.1 yards on seven punts.
BIG SKY
Big Sky teams have pulled off several upsets of FBS teams this season. The biggest was Montana's 13-7 victory at then-No. 20 Washington in its opener. UC Davis bested Tulsa 19-17, and Eastern Washington beat UNLV 35-33.
Idaho hasn't defeated a Power Five school since 2000.
HISTORY
Oregon State leads the series against the Vandals 37-6, with the last meeting — a 38-0 Beavers' rout — coming in 2006.
Idaho’s last win was 41-22 in 1984 at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow. The teams have met just three times since then.
Should Oregon State win, it will be above .500 for the first time since the third week of the 2015 season.