CORVALLIS, Ore. – Utilizing 17 first half points off a trio of turnovers and a strong passing attack, No. 15 Oregon State defeated 18th-ranked UCLA by a 36-24 line on Saturday night.
With the win, Oregon State secured bowl eligibility with the sixth win of the season and made history by doing so quicker than any other team in program history.
DJ Uiagalelei registered his third consecutive 200-yard performance for the Beavers (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) as he tossed 266 yards with two scores on the evening.
The Beaver defense held UCLA well below their 258.8 passing yard average and limited them to just 169 through the air. A trio of OSU defenders – Akili Arnold, Andrew Chatfield Jr. and Ryan Cooper Jr. – nabbed interceptions off UCLA’s Dante Moore. Chatfield and Cooper both registered their first career picks and Cooper brought his back for a score.
Three – Anthony Gould, Silas Bolden and Jack Velling – posted at least 83 receiving yards, with the former each hauling in 87. Velling continued his strong play from a week ago by catching two scores while Bolden had one to his name. Damien Martinez dashed for 90 yards on 15 carries while Deshaun Fenwick had nine rushes for 52 yards.
A pair of Atticus Sappington field goals and a Velling score gave Oregon State the early 13-0 lead before the Bruins used 10 points of their own to cut their deficit to just three before Sappington connected on a 26-yard field goal. With UCLA driving toward the end of the opening half, Cooper picked off Moore and returned it 67 yards to turn the tide and give Oregon State a 23-10 lead at the break.
Receptions from Bolden and Velling capped the Beaver scoring in the second half but were met with Bruin scores which ended the game with the 36-24 scoreline.
Oregon State collected their eighth consecutive win at home and have been victorious in 15 of their last 16 at the confines of Reser Stadium.
Following a bye week, the Beavers will be back in action in Tucson when they take on Arizona on October 28. Time and television are still to be determined.
OUR MISSIONOregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS)