Arizona vs. Oregon State: First look at the Beavers

Senior Night is almost here

Somehow it’s almost Senior Night in Tucson.

The Arizona Wildcats play host for the final time this season Saturday when they take on the Oregon State Beavers.

Arizona (6-3, 4-2) looks to bounce back from a loss to USC, while Oregon State (1-8, 0-6) continues to seek its first conference win.

Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. MT and it will be aired on ESPN2.

Here’s a quick look at the Beavers.

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A look at Oregon State

2017 Record – 1-8 (0-6)

Key Games – Week two win versus Portland State (35-32), week seven loss versus Colorado (36-33), week nine loss versus Stanford (15-14)

Key Offensive Players – Darrell Garretson (QB), Ryan Nall (RB), Jordan Villamin (WR), Noah Togiai (TE), Gus Lavaka (OG)

Key Defensive Players – Baker Pritchard (DE), Manase Hungalu (LB), Xavier Crawford (CB)

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Oregon State has been operating with an interim coach for the past three games and is the only team in the Pac-12 without a conference win. Gary Andersen unexpectedly resigned after OSU’s 1-5 start to the season. Cory Hall has been named interim coach for the remainder of the year.

The Beavers are ranked last in total offense and 10th (just ahead of Arizona and UCLA) in total defense in the Pac-12. They have been more competitive since the resignation of Andersen but have not been able to seal a victory.

They have held fourth quarter leads in two of their last three games but lost. This is a team that has been on the upswing over the past few weeks and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Arizona’s defense has allowed lots of points and yards during conference play and quarterback Darrell Garretson and running back Ryan Nall are capable of moving the ball. If Garretson can find a rhythm in the passing game, UA will have its hands full keeping Nall in check.

The Beavers’ biggest play makers in the receiving game are Jordan Villamin and Noah Togiai, who have combined for 593 yards on 50 receptions. Nall also plays an important role in the passing game, hauling in 23 passes for 204 yards.

On defense, OSU has been riddled with injuries. Their best player, cornerback Xavier Crawford, has missed several straight weeks with a back issue and his status for Saturday’s matchup is unknown.

Their FBS ranking for scoring defense is 126 (of 129) as they’re allowing 39.8 points per game. This should bode well for a Wildcats offense that has averaged 46 points a game since Khalil Tate has taken over the offense.

A win for Arizona on Saturday will mark the first time since 2014 that they notched seven victories in the regular season — a tremendous feat for a team that is coming off a 3-9 season.

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