9/16/2017 football Edit

Andersen: 'It's a tough spot for Beaver Nation'

Mike Singer • BeaversEdge

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Jake Luton was taken to the ambulance after a vicious hit but did give thumbs up on his way off the field (AP)

Oregon State lost 52-23 in their Pac-12 opener by the hands of Washington State, but the game takes a backseat to the personal health of Beavers' quarterback Jake Luton, who suffered a gruesome hit to his head in the fourth quarter.

"I don't have any update at all," Oregon State head coach Gary Andersen said to the Beavers Sports Network following the game. "I haven't heard anything from the doctors yet, but I'm sure when they're ready to share some information with me, they will."

With the loss, Oregon State falls to 1-3 on the season and it's been a very disappointing season for the Beavers. OSU is allowing 47.5 points per game this season, and even though they were gashed on Saturday by WSU, Andersen saw some positives.

"There was definitely some good things," he said. "I thought we played the run well, but all of the good things you can say right now really don't matter. What matters is the fact that there were a bunch of contested balls in the air and we were in the spot to make [the play]. My hat goes off to the Washington State kids - the quarterback and the receivers - for making those plays. They came down with the majority of them."

Two bright spots on defense were Austin Hudson and David Morris, who started at the safety spots and played nearly the entire game. They started over senior Brandon Arnold, who was benched, and Jalen Moore, who missed the first half of the game due to a targeting penalty in the Minnesota game.

"Austin and David got the start at the safety spot," Andersen said. "Austin isn't really that young, but David is obviously a true freshman. Those kids are going to play a lot of football for us. I think they're in a position to continually help to get us better."

The Beavers totaled just 73 rush yards last week against the Gophers but gained 155 yards on the ground on Saturday night. Ryan Nall carried the rock 15 times for 118 yards and two scores.

"We ran the ball very well against Washington State," said Andersen. "That doesn't happen very often."

The Beavers were called for eight penalties resulting in 80 yards, turned the ball over twice, and time after time committed unforced errors. OSU also came out on the wrong end of four replay review calls. The breaks are just not going the Beavs' way.

"I'm a big believer in 'you make your breaks.' Things will start to come your way when you deserve them to come your way," Andersen explained. "We just have to keep on grinding. It's a tough, tough spot for these kids.

"It's a tough spot for Beaver Nation. I completely understand that. What we have to do is continue to fight and battle through this. We'll work to get better."

Oregon State has the opportunity to lick their wounds (literally and figuratively) as the Beavers have a bye week upcoming. The Washington Huskies will come to town on September 30, which will be a big recruiting weekend as well.

"They're one of the best teams in the country and have been for a little bit here. They're very talented team," Andersen said of UW.

"We'll take a normal Monday, work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, then we'll get the kids out of here Friday and Saturday, and start up again on Sunday. The coaches will get out for recruiting.