After falling behind in the fourth quarter on Saturday night, the Oregon State Beavers rallied and defeated Washington State with a field goal from Everett Hayes that was 55 yards long.
However, in the only Pac-12 game of the season, the Beavers outperformed the Cougars 41-38, dominating all three areas of the game.
In his postgame interview with reporters following Oregon State’s victory, coach Trent Bray discussed a number of subjects and evaluated the team’s performance. This is a transcript that has been slightly altered for clarity and conciseness.
Bray: I believe that tonight was exactly what I have observed from these players throughout the season. Despite the ups and downs, they simply continue to work. They have faith in one another. It was simply a fantastic team victory.
What do you think of Everett Hayes giving you guys a decisive victory?
Bray: Everett has performed admirably for us, and I have faith in him. Yes, his arrival was excellent. At 55 yards, he was clutch and hit the mark. That is impressive.
Q: Coach, just look at Ben’s performance—the fourth-quarter pick-six, of course. Nevertheless, he guided the squad to the field goal and touchdown. How did you feel about that presence on Senior Night?
Bray: That was fantastic, indeed. You’re happy for Ben? because during his career, he has worked hard and experienced many highs and lows. Once more, things went badly, but he didn’t give up or hang his head; instead, he immediately went back and led the team down to score.
Q: Coach, the offensive doesn’t appear like the same as it has in the last two months. After failing to score a point the previous week, what changes did you guys make this week that paid off?
Bray: I believe that Ryan Gunderson, the offensive coordinator, and the staff did a fantastic job of focusing things. What do we excel at? How can we make use of men? I believed that we were able to move the ball thanks to Gabarri’s actions and the way we used his legs. They simply done an excellent job of reducing it, in my opinion. Additionally, less is more. And I believe we discovered that today.
Next game: No. 12 Boise State (10-1) vs. Oregon State (5-6)
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When:
Friday, Nov. 29
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Time:
9 a.m. PT
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Where:
Albertsons Stadium, Boise
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TV channel:
Fox
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Stream:
You canwatch this game live for FREE with Fubo
(free trial) or
with DirecTV Stream
(free trial). If you already have a provider, you can also watch this game live on
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with your cable or satellite provider login information.
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Did Coach (Jake) Dickert’s remarks regarding their lack of friendship fuel the fires in this situation?
Bray: Not at all.
Q: Trent, considering the course of the past month. What, then, did it mean to have that final moment where you get it, the supporters are celebrating, and you get it one last time before winter arrives? For this fan base, what do you believe that meant? What personally did it mean to you?
Bray: It’s significant for the program, in my opinion. For our guys, I believe. Once more, they should be in that and then pull it out and do it because we’ve been so close in so many games over the past month or two. For all the guys in the locker room, especially the ones going forward, I think it’s simply big.
After what may have been the worst game of the season last week, what does it say to bounce back and win by an unexpected margin?
Bray: Yes, I am aware that when I walked in here and said that each week, some guys undoubtedly felt I was a jerk. Nevertheless, they do return to work, and I have never questioned their work ethic, devotion, or buy-in to this endeavor. And I believe that tonight was a fantastic example of that.
Q: Was punting considered during the final drive’s fourth-down call, or was it always going for it?
Bray: After much debate, the ultimate judgment was that we would win this game if we gave them the ball back after a minute and two timeouts, which seemed like an eternity.
Q: After all of the fourth-quarter scenarios you’ve faced against Washington State in the last four or five games, I’m just curious if this victory resonates a little bit more. They seem to get their way with just about all of them.
Bray: Indeed. I’m referring to the entire season, but Washington State is undoubtedly a top 25 team (according to the AP poll), so winning at the end was fantastic.
Q: You still have hope for the postseason after this victory. How does it feel to have that chance left?
Bray: It’s big, in my opinion. With the final game, we’ve given ourselves a chance to advance to the postseason, which is where everyone wants to be. We also have to contend with another outstanding team. But in my opinion, it’s unquestionably positive and inspiring.
How does this team’s ability to sort of alter their game plan based on the quarterback in the lineup speak to them?
Bray: It all comes down to their willingness to pay attention, their want to understand the strategy, and their dedication to it, whatever it may be, depending on the week. They put a lot of effort into carrying it out because they believe in it. Every week, we use the game plan to strive to achieve our goal of becoming masters of our craft. They executed it really well, in my opinion.
Q: It’s more of an attacking victory when you score that many points. But the defense against a pretty good offense, talk a little bit about the way you thought they did.
Bray: I felt they performed admirably and that we made stops at significant points. Once more, that is a crime that they do against everyone. They also made some significant stops at pivotal points, and I’m really pleased with the way they fought.
Q: Trent, you are clearly at the intersection of Oregon State and Washington State. However, Jake stated last week that there is likely more to be done in this game before it can truly be regarded as a rivalry. Do you think that, given the nature of these two programs, games like that, that you just played, do you see this being an important rivalry for your program going forward?
BrayI do and I have, to be honest with you. I think it always has been. The Northwest in general, when we re in Pac-12, you win the Northwest and then you re probably going to be at the top of the Pac-12. And then Washington State and those other schools were all part of that.
Q: How did you think Trent Walker performed overall. He made a bunch of big catches for you guys.
Bray: Indeed. I mean, that s Trent. I think every week he shows up and he s reliable and, yeah, he was banged up after Air Force and fought through it all week. And then you saw it tonight, he got banged up a little bit again, same injury, but, but he s tough, and he fights through it and doesn t let it influence how he plays.
Q: Coach, I know the last fourth-down call felt like the biggest, but there were plenty of fourth-down opportunities that you guys went for tonight. Did it feel like you guys were going to need that type of a game and a play calling to be able to get this win? And you much of a gambling man? Did it feel like just want to get a little bit more gutsy tonight? Was that all about?
Bray:Yeah, the last one was real. I m glad they called the timeout so I had more time to think about it. But yeah, there were just situations where between the analytics, the way the game was going, gut feeling, all those things led to those decisions.
Q: What did you see in the pass production tonight?
Bray:I think it s back to limiting the game plan so you can be better and more precise at routes, all those things that require detail. So I think that was a big part of why we had much more production, which is more accurate and on with what we re trying to do.
Q: That last play, when it s a scramble like that, how much do you guys sort of drill that, or even practice that from a defensive standpoint?
Bray:It s not something you practice very often. We do it every Friday kind of as a last run-through, kind of how to protect that, make sure everyone doesn t end up on one side of the field, and understand that. But you practice it once a week, and you get it, probably the first time in probably six years. But you got to be ready for it. And they did a nice job handling it.
–Nick Daschelcovers theOregon State Beavers. Reach him at 360-607-4824 or@nickdaschel. Listen to theBeaver Banter podcastor subscribe to theBeavers Roundup newsletter.
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