SDSU-Oregon State Game Preview: Aztecs must find offense to keep pace with Beavers
Credit: PJ Panebianco/EVT Sports
Game Details
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026
Time: 3 p.m. PT
Channel: USA Network
Radio: San Diego Sports 760
Location: Reser Stadium (Corvallis, Ore.)
Records: San Diego State 2-3 (1-0 Pac-12), Oregon State 3-2 (1-0 Pac-12)
Betting line: SDSU +14.5, O/U 53.5 (FanDuel)
Series: Oregon State leads 5-2
San Diego State found a way to win last Saturday despite being outgained by more than 300 yards. Against Oregon State, the Aztecs may not have that luxury.
Coming off a 31-29 comeback victory over Texas State in their Pac-12 opener, the Aztecs travel to Corvallis on Saturday for their first conference road game against an Oregon State team riding a three-game winning streak.
SDSU overcame a 17-3 halftime deficit behind a 96-yard kickoff return by Jaylon Hawkins and a 32-yard interception return by linebacker Cameron Cooper. The Aztecs were outgained 565-239 and converted only one of 10 third downs, but forced two turnovers and capitalized on favorable field position.
Oregon State enters Saturday after a 56-26 win over Colorado State in which it accumulated 650 yards of offense. The Beavers have won five consecutive meetings against SDSU, most recently a 21-0 shutout at Snapdragon Stadium in 2024.
When SDSU has the ball
Running backs Lucky Sutton and Javion Kinnard were upgraded to questionable on Wednesday’s Pac-12 availability report after missing the Texas State game.
Sutton has battled a high ankle sprain, while Kinnard suffered a knee injury during SDSU’s 41-16 loss at Toledo.
Their absences opened the door for true freshman Josiah Lucas, who rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns against Texas State. Lucas became the first SDSU true freshman to rush for at least 100 yards in a game since Donnel Pumphrey in 2013.
The Aztecs average 303.8 yards per game, including 154.2 through the air, and convert 29.2% of their third-down attempts.
SDSU also faces uncertainty along its offensive line, with center Isaac Lucas and guard Mikey Watkins listed as questionable.
“Next man up, I trust all my guys in that offensive line room,” senior offensive lineman Joe Borjon said Monday. “We put a lot of work in together during the spring and the fall.”
Oregon State’s defense features linebacker Aiden Sullivan, who leads the Beavers with 38 tackles, and defensive lineman Takari Hickle, who has recorded 7.5 tackles for loss.
When Oregon State has the ball
The Beavers possess one of the nation’s most productive passing attacks, led by quarterback Braden Atkinson and freshman wide receiver Jesse Legree.
Atkinson leads the nation with 1,848 passing yards through five games and ranks second with 16 touchdown passes against two interceptions.
The Mercer transfer completed 31 of 34 passes for 427 yards and five touchdowns against Colorado State, earning Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Legree has recorded 741 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through five games, surpassing 100 receiving yards in every contest.
“He’s dynamic. He’s shifty. He’s got really good short-area quickness, so he’s able to make guys miss,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said Monday. “When he gets a crease, he can go.”
Oregon State’s balanced offense also challenges defenses on the ground. The Beavers rushed for more than 200 yards against Colorado State, while Atkinson threw for 427 yards.
“They not only have a primary punch, but they have a counter punch,” Lewis said.
SDSU’s defense recorded nine tackles for loss and three sacks against Texas State.
Senior edge rusher Kai Wallin, who intercepted a pass against the Bobcats, returns to face his former team after appearing in nine games for Oregon State last season.
The Aztecs could also be without linebacker Tano Letuli, who left last week’s game with an injury and is listed as questionable.
A test of consistency
SDSU enters Saturday as a 14.5-point underdog against an Oregon State offense that has scored 141 points over its past three games.
The Aztecs will need more consistent offensive production to keep pace with the Beavers after relying on defensive and special teams touchdowns to beat Texas State.
“Lots that we need to clean up as we continue to go,” Lewis said. “The margins are going to be really, really tight in all these conference games, especially this week against a really good opponent as we go on the road up to Corvallis.”
