APIt didn’t matter that Sean Mannion, who was the only quarterback to record passing stats for Oregon State this season, was out with a knee injury today against BYU. The 10th-ranked Beavers still went into Provo and came away with a 42-24 win.
Coach Mike Riley didn’t change the game plan much, either. Cody Vaz, Mannion’s understudy, threw for 332 yards and three scores in his first career start. That deserves credit. Riley clearly had a lot of trust in his backup QB and didn’t feel the need to hold Vaz’s hand against a good opponent. Vaz was obviously prepared and went out and executed.
This game has to give a lot of confidence for the junior as well. At 5-0, the Beavers host Utah next and have a relatively tough remaining conference schedule. With Mannion out indefinitely, it was important for Vaz to get off to a good start.
Besides, In-N-Out burgers are still the best incentive I’ve seen this year to get players to want to win.
Congratulations to the Beavers for an awesome victory….from an Oregon fan.
great job beavers…
Beavers are looking pretty good this year. First 5-0 start in 73 years. Wow. The only part of this article I can find fault with is calling BYU a ‘good opponent.’ Beating Wazzu, Weber State, Hawai’i, and Utah State (by 3) isn’t very impressive, but OSU didn’t miss a beat even with a backup QB.
The Beavers get Utah at home and should win the Apple Cup in Seattle. I think they’ll also beat Stanford in Palo Alto (something USC couldn’t do). Oregon, even at home in Corvallis, will be the acid test.
If Alabama and LSU can play for a national championship with one loss between them, why can’t Oregon and Oregon State? Go Ducks ‘n Beavers!
Well that comment I made about the Apple Cup was stupid. That’s between UW and Wash. State. Moron.