Oregon State Beavers Football: Wednesday Notebook

With the Oregon State football team set to kick off its 2019 season on Friday night against the Oklahoma State Cowboys, BeaversEdge.com Managing Editor Brenden Slaughter gives you the latest with Jonathan Smith's squad as the team makes its final preparations for its season opener.

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RELATED: WATCH: Smith previews Oklahoma State | WATCH: Tibesar, Wright, and Whittley talk Gundy and Co.

- In terms of injuries, Smith noted that outside of Andrzej Hughes-Murray, Trevon Bradford, and Simon Sandberg (all won't play against OSU) the Beavers would be full-go on Friday. He noted that safety Jalen Moore will be a game-time decision as he went through another limited practice on Wednesday.

- When asked about whether or not Tristan Gebbia would see the field on Friday, Smith noted that it isn't in the cards and the Beavers are going solely with Jake Luton unless the situation dictates otherwise.

After last season, it's pretty fair to say that there's nowhere to go but up for the Oregon State defense. The first year of the Tim Tibesar era was certainly forgettable as the Beavers struggled in all aspects defensively, but thanks to an intense offseason of work and recruiting, Tibesar is ready to see his defense.

"I'm thrilled... Obviously, we've got new pieces that are going to be getting their first-game experience at Oregon State and we're going against a quality opponent on national television. We're excited about the challenge ahead."

Tibesar on the loss of Hughes-Murray

"Obviously losing any player hurts, but when you lose a guy who was voted a captain by his peers and a guy that's progressed and gotten a lot better for us, it hurts. We've got better depth at the position to absorb the injury and we're looking forward to getting him back."

While Oregon State's depth chart is largely set in stone heading into Friday's matchup against the Cowboys, there's still one position that is undecided.

Center.

With offensive line coach Jim Michalczik waiting until the bitter end to make a starting decision between Nathan Eldridge and Nous Keobounnam, Smith offered his two cents on where the battle stands.

"Eldridge has gotten better each day and his comfort level is much higher now that he's gotten reps," Smith said. "He's healthy now, and after dealing with a hamstring during camp, it's great to see him full go."

When the Oregon State football team takes the field against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Friday night, it'll be the biggest opponent they've welcomed into Reser Stadium since Wisconsin back in 2012. Due to the Beavers not easily being able to secure home and home series' with power five schools on a regular basis over the course of history to several factors, it makes the ones that they are able to secure all that more special.

With the Beavers having a rare opportunity on national television at home against one of the best teams in the Big 12, it's safe to say that they're excited about the challenge.

"All the external factors of playing a game like this are huge and we're really excited about it," Smith said. "They are a really good opponent and you've gotta start against somebody, so this is a tremendous opportunity. Every game is important, and obviously, the first one has a much bigger lead up to it, but we're going to go out, compete, and try to win the game."