Ask an Oregon State writer: Versatile linebacker a wildcard vs. Boise State in opener
Boise State has won six of its past seven season openers, and three of those wins came on the road against Florida State (2019), Troy (2018) and Louisiana (2016).
The Broncos dropped their season opener last year at UCF in Orlando despite leading at halftime. They have a chance to get back to their winning ways in openers Saturday at Oregon State (8:30 p.m. Mountain time, ESPN).
Nick Daschel, who covers the Beavers for The Oregonian, sat down with Boise State beat writer Ron Counts to preview this weekend’s game in Corvallis.
What did Chance Nolan do to win the starting quarterback job?
To start with, he’s the most experienced of the guys, even though Tristan Gebbia has started a number of games for Oregon State. Nolan started started 12 of 13 games last year and led them to a bowl game. The difference between Chance and the other two is probably his versatility. He’s really the first dual-threat quarterback that Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith has recruited.
He gives Oregon State the element of being able to get to the outside. He doesn’t do it a lot, but he’ll do it. He quietly became a playmaker last season. He has some flaws that he needs to improve, especially hitting deep balls, but he had some big games last year, particularly in the Utah game and at USC, where he hit just about every pass in the game.
The other two (Gebbia and redshirt freshman Ben Gulbranson) didn’t play at all last year. They were hurt, so they had a big mountain to climb to catch Chance, and it was probably never going to happen.
Is there a workhorse in the backfield or will it be running back by committee?
That’s to be determined. They had five guys in camp and they all showed some ability. In the end, Deshaun Fenwick and Trey Lowe are going to share the starting job, at least against Boise State. But I think you’re going to see four guys playing. In the end, it might be freshman Damien Martinez who ends up being the best of the bunch, but at this point, they like what Fenwick and Lowe have done because of their experience.
They’ve both been in the system for a few years. They were both transfers — one out of South Carolina and one from Washington. Lowe gives Oregon State a different dimension on third down. He caught a lot of passes last year and can run a little bit between the tackles, but he’s more of a speed guy. Fenwick is your basic 6-foot-1, 225-pound guy that’s going to try to run you over, and he had a couple of 100-yard games last year before he got hurt.
Oregon State used Jack Colletto at linebacker and wildcat QB last year. What’s his story?
He’s kind of a unicorn. I’ve been asked a number of times who is Oregon State recruiting as their next Jack Colletto. ... Well, nobody, because there isn’t a guy like Colletto. He was a high school quarterback, came to Oregon State as a quarterback and even started a game at Colorado in 2018.
About midway through the 2019 season, he decided he wanted to play linebacker, so they redshirted him and let him learn the position. But they also learned that he knows how to play quarterback. They run him a lot on third down and short-yardage situations, and he’s pretty automatic. He’s rarely stopped on fourth-and-2 or less.
I think Oregon State is going to expand that this year. They aren’t saying that, but I’m guessing there are some things they’re going to try with him as a quarterback, a H-back, a tight end or a receiver. I can actually see Jack playing more on the offensive side than the defensive side because he’s such a weapon in short yardage.
What is the strength of the defense?
I would have to say the secondary. There’s a couple guys back there who I think are going to get a shot in the NFL. Rejzohn Wright is going to be one of the better corners in the Pac-12 this year. His brother plays for the Cowboys. Alex Austin has started a couple years at corner.
Jaydon Grant is in his seventh year in the program and he moved to safety. Alton Julian was also a starter last year until he tore up his knee against Utah. I’m guessing he won’t play against Boise State. Kitan Oladapo is another guy who hits hard and he’s been playing a lot.
As a whole, the secondary’s ability to cover has improved substantially over the last year. That was the biggest takeaway from camp. Overall, this is one of the better defenses coach Smith has ever had, and it’s going to be one of the better defenses in the Pac-12.
Oregon State ended an 8-year bowl drought last year and returns a lot. How has that affected expectations?
For the first time under Smith, they’re talking about a championship. There are a lot of teams talking about that right now. Can they get to the Pac-12 championship game? It’s not out of the realm of possibility. I wouldn’t say they’re the favorite or even the second or third favorite, but if things break right and they play at home like they did last year, they have a chance. They have USC and Oregon at home this year.
What decides this game and what’s your prediction?
You think Boise State and Oregon State and you think shootout. That’s what this game typically would be. I think it’s going to be the opposite. I think it’s going to be low scoring. It’s the first game of the year. There are going to be so many mistakes made, and I’m guessing the team that makes the fewest is going to win. I just think Oregon State has proven they can play at home and they have a lot of veterans, so they shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the moment. Prediction: Oregon State 27, Boise State 17.
BOISE STATE AT OREGON STATE
When: 8:30 p.m. Mountain time Saturday
Where: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon
TV: ESPN (Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison, Stormy Buonantony)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Series: Boise State and Oregon State have played nine times, and the Beavers own a 5-4 advantage in the series. The Broncos won their last meeting, beating Oregon State on the road 38-24 in 2016.
Vegas line: Oregon State by 2.5
Weather: High of 85 degrees, 7% chance of rain, 11 mph winds
