Sports
Atkinson’s three TD passes power Oregon State past Washington State
Braden Atkinson threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns as Oregon State beat Washington State 48-30 on Saturday. The Beavers improved to 5-2 and stayed unbeaten in Pac-12 play.
Oregon State built an early lead behind quarterback Braden Atkinson and held on for a 48-30 win over Washington State on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Atkinson passed for 347 yards and three touchdowns. The Beavers (5-2, 3-0 Pac-12) opened the scoring with Jake Reichle’s 1-yard touchdown run, then Atkinson connected with Jesse Legree for a 90-yard score. Caleb Ojeda added a 48-yard field goal late in the first quarter to put Oregon State ahead 17-0.
The Beavers led 27-10 at halftime. Legree finished with eight catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first wide receiver to reach 1,000 receiving yards this season. Running back AJ Newberry added 105 yards on 11 carries and 120 receiving yards on five catches, including a touchdown. Reichle scored twice on the ground.
Washington State (1-6, 0-3) got a strong first career start from redshirt freshman quarterback Owen Eshelman. He threw for 289 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 136 yards on 15 carries and scored once. Receiver Branden Granashamoorthy had 11 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.
Eshelman directed three consecutive touchdown drives late in the game. Washington State’s 30 points were its most against an FBS opponent this season, but the late push was not enough to erase Oregon State’s early advantage.
Washington State hosts No. 23 Boise State next Saturday. Oregon State has a bye next week before traveling to play Fresno State on Oct. 31.