With it being Halloween, it only makes sense that we’re playing the school with quite possibly the best Halloween colors of any program in the country this weekend. As chronicled in previous articles, Oregon State has endured a difficult season that has yet to produce an FBS win. Here are the players the Cougs must contain to keep the Beavers winless against Division I competition.
Key Players on Offense
QB: Maalik Murphy (Redshirt Junior)
2025 Stats: 58.6% Completion | 215 Yards per Game | 9 TDs | 8 INTs
QB: Gabarri Johnson (Redshirt Sophomore)
2025 Stats: 57.1% Completion | 16/28 Passing | 140 Yards | 2 TDs | 1 INT
As of noon on Friday, there has still been no announcement as to who will start under center for the Beavers. Maalik Murphy, their highly paid transfer this year, reportedly received a $1.5 million NIL deal. Now on his third stop after Texas and Duke, Murphy has been turnover-prone this season—prompting speculation that the team might be better off with backup Gabarri Johnson.
Johnson played more snaps in their previous game, the lone win of the season against Lafayette. He adds a dual-threat dimension to the offense, rushing for 82 yards in that game. Coach Robb Akey has mentioned that there could be a split under center—which, historically, never works. I assume he’s just being coy so our coaches have to prepare for both. I expect to see more of Johnson than Murphy in this one.
WR: Trent Walker (5th-Year Senior) – 6’2”, 194 lbs
2025 Stats: 48 Receptions | 609 Yards | 76.1 YPG | 0 TDs
One of the few bright spots this season for the Beavers has been Walker’s production. Through the first six games, he averaged 97.5 yards per game, highlighted by 136- and 179-yard performances. Interestingly, he’s caught only five passes for 25 yards over the last two games. Whether that’s due to Johnson taking more snaps or defenses focusing harder on him is unclear, but Walker can absolutely take over a game.
He currently ranks 24th nationally in receiving yards—an impressive feat despite back-to-back quiet outings—and holds the unusual distinction of leading the nation in receiving yards without a touchdown.
RB: Anthony Hankerson (Senior) – 5’8”, 206 lbs
2025 Stats: 154 Carries | 671 Yards | 4.4 YPC | 6 TDs
Much of the preseason optimism for the Beavers revolved around their backfield duo of Murphy and Hankerson, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year. In their most recent game against FCS Lafayette, Hankerson padded his stats with 204 yards and four touchdowns—his second straight 100-yard game after hitting the century mark against Wake Forest.
Expect a run-heavy approach with Johnson and Hankerson leading the charge. Containing big runs will be critical.
Key Players on Defense
The Beavers’ defense has been a major issue this season, having failed to hold any FBS opponent under 27 points. They’ve generated only five turnovers and recorded just six sacks through the year.
LB: Aiden Sullivan (Junior) – 6’1”, 229 lbs
Sullivan is the Beavers’ highest-rated defensive player according to PFF. Excelling particularly against the run, he ranks third on the team in tackles and is one of their most reliable tacklers.
DT: Jojo Johnson (Redshirt Sophomore) – 6’2”, 288 lbs
Johnson is the top-rated player on the Beavers’ defensive line. In five games, he’s totaled three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and even grabbed an interception last week. His two best performances have come in the past two games, suggesting he’s starting to find his stride—something OSU desperately needs from its defensive front.
3 Keys to Win
1. Win the Turnover Battle
Rain is in the forecast—nothing new for the Willamette Valley this time of year. Oregon State has been one of the most turnover-prone teams in the country while also forcing among the fewest on defense. The best way to energize a crowd and spark a struggling team is by giving them extra possessions. Playing smart, mistake-free football will be crucial for the Cougs.
2. Contain the Run Game
In their last outing, the Beavers rushed for an astounding 365 yards, including several runs of 20-plus yards. When Johnson is at quarterback, their rushing attack becomes even more dynamic. Limiting explosive runs and keeping Hankerson in check should be the top priority for our defense.
3. Get Ahead Early
The easiest way to neutralize a strong run game? Get an early lead and force them to throw. If the Cougs fall behind, Oregon State can lean on its ground game to chew the clock. Striking first and playing from ahead will be the ideal game script in this matchup.