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With Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith meeting the media on Monday afternoon to recap SDSU and preview Washington State, BeaversEdge recaps the info!
MORE: WATCH: Smith Presser | Snap Counts + Takeaways vs SDSU | Grades & Top Performers vs SDSU | Beavers Move Up Two Spots In AP, Coaches Polls | 5 Takeaways From OSU's Win | BeaversEDGE Breaks Down Win | WATCH: OSU Talks Win Over SDSU
Notes
- Starting on the injury front: Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith said that inside linebacker Makiya Tongue will not play again this season after suffering a leg injury against San Diego State. Tongue switched to inside linebacker in the spring and was finding his groove in the position, so the injury is unfortunate.
- While Tongue wasn't a starter on the inside, he was typically the first reserve off the bench and played a key role on special teams... In his absence, look for John Miller, Melvin Jordan, Isaiah Chisom, and perhaps Kord Shaw to see more reps...
- Speaking of Miller, he missed the contest against SDSU due to injury - Smith said they'll be watching his status this week but feel optimistic.
- Receiver Jesiah Irish also didn't go against the Aztecs, Smith says he's another guy whose status will be determined throughout the week but that they feel optimistic.
- DB Ryan Cooper Jr. also got banged up at the end of the SDSU game, but Smith said they'll be watching him this week with the hope he'll be good to go against WSU...
- Smith felt that the offense "left some meat on the bone" against SDSU and that the Beavers didn't execute as well as they would have liked.
- Defensively, Smith liked the tackling and the sack production but needs to tighten up in the pass coverage, especially in advance of the matchup with WSU.
- Smith highlighted Atticus Sappington's two made kicks against the Aztecs and said they were big for him and the team.
- Smith said that they've been working on the Joshua Gray touchdown play for a long time and that he was happy with how well it worked out. Said "We'll see" if we can expect to see it again this season...
- There have been some questions about where EDGE/OLB Olu Omotosho has been so far this season... Smith said that they are in no way down on Olu, there are just a couple of guys currently ahead of him on the depth chart. Said they'll be looking to mix him in the coming weeks on special teams...
- Inside linebacker, Mason Tufaga, who transferred from Utah in the offseason, isn't healthy currently per Smith... We didn't see Tufaga all camp either...
Quotes
On Washington State
"Challenging start for us on the road against a team that's playing with a ton of confidence," Smith said. "They've got some good players, good schematics, and have a ton of respect for coach Dickert and that program."
On WSU's Offense
"QB (Cam Ward) is playing at a high level and has played a lot in that scheme and can create, extend, and they've got explosive players on the outside. It's a challenge when you've got a quarterback with that type of talent."
On WSU's Defense
"Starts at the line of scrimmage, they can rush the passer and are about as good as anyone in the league with how well they rush the edge. They challenge you in the run game and are pressure-oriented. Then you throw in a home crowd, that's always a good atmosphere and makes it really tough to play."
On players who played in the 2019 and '21 losses to WSU in Pullman
"I think it does help and I think they do carry it and recognize how tough it is to win up there and how close we were those two games. They know the challenge we're headed towards."
On QB Cam Ward
"He understands the scheme, is accurate, and can get the ball out quickly. He can change his arm angle, he's elusive at extending the play, and he's not small, being over 200 pounds, so putting all that together, he's tough to defend."
The biggest concern with WSU
"Their explosiveness and trying to find ways to limit the explosive plays. The tempo they play at is even quicker than last year, getting on the ball and getting it snapped quickly. We have to be lined up and have our eyes lined up."
On Oregon State's secondary
"It's going to be critical for those guys to play well because they're going to get challenged. It's not just defending the pass, we have to get guys on the ground and tackle in space well."
ON DJ Uiagalelei needing to play well this weekend
"It's always important for your quarterback to play well and to put him in situations to play well. This defense is challenging, we won't be perfect. But you definitely need your quarterback to play well to win on the road."
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