Back with the Oregon State mailbag, a weekly segment where readers ask questions of Beaver athletics, and The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Nick Daschel provides an answer.
Let’s roll:
As a journalist, has it been harder over the last two years to separate your affinity for Oregon State from your professional role? — @dumbfanatic
I have affinity for Oregon State from my way-back days as a student. But I learned long ago whatever feelings I have are checked at the door when covering the school as a journalist. It’s not that hard. You can believe that or not. I really don’t care. People who work at Oregon State would laugh at anyone who thinks I root for the Beavers. I make comments on social media that some take as pulling for OSU. They are not. They’re usually to correct facts, straighten out someone who has lost their mind, or attempt humor.
Will the house-made cotton candy at Reser be orange? – Josh H
I reached out to Oregon State, but as of now, no confirmation on color. Doing a quick Google search, it’s not hard to color cotton candy. Guess we’ll find out Saturday, but orange and black cotton candy would be a nice touch.
Increased scholarship limits for many if not all college sports are coming. What year does this take effect and how will this new ruling affect OSU? Are any sports on the chopping block? — @2024SportsGuy
The increased scholarships kick in next fall (2025-26 school year). Here’s a primer from the NCAA. The NCAA says there are no longer scholarship caps, but roster limits. Everyone on the roster can receive scholarship help. The big change are partial scholarships, even in football, previously a full scholarship-only sport. Does this lead to OSU cutting sports? No. To retain Division I status, a school must sponsor a minimum of 16 sports. Oregon State is at that level, seven for men, nine for women.
Oregon State vs. Idaho State
When: Saturday, Aug. 31Time: 3:30 p.m. PTWhere: Reser Stadium, CorvallisChannel: The CWStream: No streaming options
Any news on Tygee Hill? Noticed he wasn’t in the depth chart. – JK
I wouldn’t look too deeply into that. OSU only lists two positions at defensive line on its depth chart, but there are times the Beavers will play three. Oregon State is going to play six to eight defensive linemen during games, and I suspect Hill is in that mix.
All that buildup, and Oregon State ends up with Gevani McCoy as the quarterback?
I suspect we haven’t heard the last of the quarterback competition. McCoy will start against Idaho State, and if he plays well, he’ll keep the job. But I won’t be surprised if we see Ben Gulbranson and Gabarri Johnson as well. Perhaps all three by the end of September. The coaches are way smarter than I am when it comes to deciding a starting quarterback, but from the sideline there wasn’t much separating the three. Idaho coach Jason Eck, McCoy’s former coach, raved about the OSU junior’s intangibles and how he keeps plays alive. If that works at the FBS level, maybe McCoy is the real, well, McCoy.
You mentioned in your column that you see OSU men’s basketball winning twenty games. Unless your comment was tongue-in-cheek, that’s not going to happen. The West Coast Conference is a fairly strong basketball league. OSU seems like a middle of the conference club, if that. I do hope you’re right, but it doesn’t seem likely. – Tom M
The WCC is very good at the top. But top to bottom, it’s not as strong as the Pac-12. That alone doesn’t make Oregon State a 20-win team. I think the roster the Beavers have assembled is the best since the team’s Elite Eight run in 2021. OSU fans are going to love guard Damarco Minor. He brings an element of defensive toughness the Beavers haven’t seen in years. OSU has size – four players who are 6-foot-10 or taller – that should resurrect the inside game. Isaiah Sy and Nate Kingz (he recently changed his last name from Meithof) are good perimeter shooters. Does all of this add up to 20 wins? We’ll see. I suspect I’ll refine my prediction as we get closer to the season. But I can see 10 or 11 wins from the 13-game nonconference schedule. If OSU is .500 or a little better in WCC play, that’s close to 20 wins.
Should Beaver fans be concerned if we lose Everett Hayes (kicker) or Josh Green (punter) to injury? – Craig W
Well, sure. But it’s no different at OSU than most schools, where the depth chart at kicker and punter often doesn’t extend beyond the starter. The Beavers have survived injuries at kicker in recent years. If something were to happen to Hayes or Green, I suspect the coaching staff would figure it out.
Listened to the podcast, really impressed with (Isaac Hodgins)…if you are taking questions ask him what the team reaction was to the Arizona fake field goal debacle. – Ben
The Beaver Banter podcast is back, and better than ever, as each week during the football season it features former OSU defensive lineman Isaac Hodgins. He was great in his debut. Lots of good stories. Give it a listen. I’ll try to work in the Arizona situation sometime.
I’d like to see some follow-up articles during the season as to how the transfers are doing at other schools. Maybe you could do three or so articles periodically during the season giving statistics for DJU, Bolden, Martinez, Lolohea, Velling, Chiles, etc. A comparison of what each is doing compared to their counterpart at Oregon State would be interesting. I think there will definitely be some regrets among that group. Particularly when the bowl season comes around. – Jim M
I’m planning to do a periodic update during the season regarding those who transferred out of the program. There is a section of OSU’s fanbase that pushes back hard any time a player-turned-transfer is mentioned in a story, but most like to hear how former Beavers are doing.
I have been a diehard Beavers fan since I first heard a beavers game when I was 6 years. Sixty-three years later I am still a die hard fan. But, good golly can we please change the 4th quarter song. Over the last few years it has morphed into some kind of techno version of TNT. I love rock and roll music and AC/DC, but come on! The 4th quarter song is supposed to energize the fans. I see very few fans get excited and dance or sing to this so called song. Our song is a giant fizzle.
I would like to suggest making “We’re Not Gonna To Take It” by Twisted Sister as the 4th quarter song. I feel it says how (I believe) most of Beaver Nation feels about the way we have been treated these last few years. – Jimmy The Beav
I believe the fourth-quarter piece to which you’re referring is “Party in the USA.” It may not be your sing-along song, but it seems to work with most. But your song suggestion is a good one given the current climate. OSU also started a second sing-along last year, but it’s possible with the old speakers, you didn’t hear it. The speaker problem has been fixed for the 2024 season.
–Nick Daschel can be reached at 360-607-4824, ndaschel@oregonian.com or @nickdaschel.
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Publish date : 2024-08-29 22:26:00
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