Oct. 17—CORVALLIS, Ore. — There wasn't much else Kirby Moore could do, not with the fireworks exploding, not with the fans erupting, not with the vaunted Oregon State passing attack torching Washington State defense and running away with the game before it could even get started.
So in the aftermath of the Beavers' second long touchdown, an 88-yard score to follow their 90-yard strike in Saturday's first half, Moore trotted his offense back on the field. The Cougars' offense and quarterback Owen Eshelman, making his first career start, had to make up a two-score deficit before they got out of the first quarter.
WSU was already looking at a tall task, trying to upend OSU and its lively offense Saturday afternoon at Reser Stadium, but the visitors did themselves no favors in a 48-30 loss. In the first quarter, looking at two fourth-and-short situations near midfield, they elected to punt both times, and after each decision, the Beavers needed only one play to make them pay.
In short, that's how Oregon State ran away with this victory, handing WSU (1-6, 0-3 Pac-12) its fourth straight loss in Eshelman's first start at the college level. The Cougars, still looking for their first FBS victory in Moore's debut season, gave up three quick scoring drives to open the game and couldn't make up the ground.
About 18-point favorites heading into this one, the Beavers (4-2, 3-0) picked apart the Cougars for two long touchdowns, the first a 90-yard strike from quarterback Braden Atkinson to star freshman receiver Jesse Legree, the second an 88-yard connection from Atkinson to receiver AJ Newberry in the second frame. That score handed the hosts a 27-3 lead, which they had no problem maintaining the rest of the way.
For the game, Eshelman completed 32 of 49 passes for 257 yards, two touchdowns and one late interception — plus one rushing score — in his first start in place of Caden Pinnick, who started each of his team's first six games. With a shade under two minutes to play, he lofted a deep touchdown pass to receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy, who finished with a career-best 147 yards on nine catches. And in the fourth, Eshelman lasered one to wideout Daniel Blood, who hauled in his first touchdown in the crimson and gray laundry.
Eshelman couldn't produce a win in his first start, but all things considered, he looked sharp. He wasn't afraid to let it fly, which Pinnick didn't do much of in his tenure, and Eshelman didn't commit any turnovers until a meaningless interception with the game out of reach in the fourth quarter, another weakness of Pinnick's. As WSU prepares for its next game, a home matchup with first-place Boise State next weekend, the Cougars might feel encouraged about their offense.
Eshelman also totaled 136 rushing yards, the most by a WSU quarterback since John Mateer in 2024, spotlighting an understated part of his game. He's more of a pocket-passer than his predecessor, but Eshelman is plenty mobile, which he displayed on several occasions — including a 41-yard scamper early in the third frame.
In the first quarter, WSU receiver Darrius Clemons exited with what looked like a foot injury. After going to the locker room, he returned in warmup gear and sporting crutches. His outlook is unclear, but the Cougars have also been without star wideout Tony Freeman for almost the entire season, so any absence from Clemons would be bad news for Moore's team.
All told, though, it was the best the Cougars' offense has looked against an FBS opponent all season. They didn't turn it over for the first time all season. Eshelman's dual-threat abilities did wonders for WSU, even without left tackle Ashton Tripp, who missed the game with an ankle injury he sustained last weekend against Utah State. Washington transfer Maximus McCree stepped in in his place.
WSU also got a short rushing touchdown from quarterback Julian Dugger, who plunged in from three yards out, taking advantage of his athleticism. Dugger played a few scattered snaps in red-zone trips, underscoring the way coaches are trying to capitalize on his game.
But moving forward, the Cougs will have to shore up their defense, which was gashed by Atkinson, who completed 23 of 38 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. They became the latest victim of Legree, who racked up 108 receiving yards, clearing the century mark in all seven games of the season. Legree also scored on a five-yard reception midway through the third quarter.
Can WSU take down Boise State next weekend in Pullman? The Cougars will face long odds in that one, but they might be able to head into that one with something resembling momentum on offense, which they had not experienced much of earlier in the season.
Key moments
Oregon State puts game away
4th, 1:16 — OSU 48, WSU 30: Cornell Hatcher Jr. breaks through the WSU defense for a 16-yard touchdown.
The Beavers have totaled 210 yards on the ground.
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Eshelman breaks free
4th, 1:37 — OSU 41, WSU 30: Eshelman continues his big day on the ground with a 20-yard rushing touchdown.
Eshelman then connects with Ganashamoorthy for a 2-point conversion.
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Cougars not done yet
4th, 9:03 — OSU 41, WSU 22: Eshelman hits Daniel Blood in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown.
Eshelman has 217 passing yards with two touchdowns. Eshelman has also totaled 106 rushing yards.
WSU's second attempt at a 2-point conversion fails.
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Oregon State continues to roll
4th, 11:40 — OSU 41, WSU 16: Reichle plunges in for a 1-yard touchdown, extending the Beavers' lead.
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Dugger finds end zone
3rd, 4:15 — OSU 34, WSU 16: Julian Dugger takes a QB draw for a 3-yard touchdown.
The 2-point attempt fails.
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Legree goes over 100
3rd, 9:01 — OSU 34, WSU 10: Legree catches a short pass and scores a 5-yard touchdown.
The Heisman candidate has totaled 103 receiving yards on six catches with a pair of touchdowns.
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Eshelman throws first career touchdown
2nd, 1:53 — OSU 27, WSU 10: Owen Eshelman finds Branden Ganashamoorthy open for a 40-yard touchdown.
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Beavs score long TD
2nd, 3:59 — OSU 27, WSU 3: AJ Newberry takes a screen 88 yards for a touchdown.
Newberry is up to 159 scrimmage yards.
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Beavers tack on another field goal
2nd, 7:38 — OSU 20, WSU 3: Ojeda adds a 46-yard field goal for Oregon State.
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Cougars settle for field goal
2nd, 11:12 — OSU 17, WSU 3: Jack Stevens makes a 19-yard field goal after Washington State's offense stalls near the goal line.
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Beavers add on
1st, 1:23 — OSU 17, WSU 0: Caleb Ojeda makes a 48-yard field goal to extend Oregon State's lead.
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Legree makes his presence felt
1st, 4:46 — OSU 14, WSU 0: Star freshman receiver Jesse Legree explodes for a 90-yard touchdown reception.
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Oregon State on the board first
1st, 7:13 — OSU 7, WSU 0: Jake Reichle dives into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown. After a three-and-out on its first possession, Oregon State marches down the field for an 11-play scoring drive.
Pregame
With its season spiraling, Washington State football turns to redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman to replace Caden Pinnick at quarterback.
Eshelman and the Cougars (1-5) travel to face fellow Pac-12 Conference holdover Oregon State (4-2) on the road.
Both teams are on opposite trajectories.
Washington State is still in search of its first FBS and conference win of the season. Meanwhile, after putting a scare into Houston and Texas Tech, Oregon State has won four games in a row and is tied with Boise State for first in the conference.
The Cougars' defense, though stout, will have its work cut out for it against star freshman receiver Jesse Legree.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. on USA Network.
Series history
Washington State holds a 58-49-3 advantage against Oregon State. The Pac-12 holdovers played twice last season, with the home team winning both matchups. The Beavers held on 10-7 at Reser Stadium on Nov. 1, 2025, before the Cougars won 32-8 four weeks later.
Notable stat
Oregon State freshman Jesse Legree has been held under 100 receiving yards zero times this season.
Game preview
WSU's keys to victory against Oregon State — Two-minute drill
Washington State at Oregon State — Read more
Why Oregon State will beat Washington State — The pick
PORTLAND — In his first season as Washington State's defensive coordinator, Trent Bray has gotten just about as much as he can out of his group. The Cougars rank among the conference's best defenses, and they've generated three interceptions, including two pick-sixes. — Read more
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Right away, coaches couldn't help but notice the confidence, the poise that Owen Eshelman walked around with. He asked a slew of questions. He was involved in everything. He wanted to know the why behind calls and plays and formations. — Read more
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Still looking for first FBS victory, WSU hits the road to take on Oregon State — First look
PULLMAN — Here is a first look at Washington State's road game against Oregon State on Saturday afternoon. — Read more