In the rubble of one of Oregon State’s worst performances in recent memory, was a star born?
Oregon State walked away Saturday from H.A. Chapman Stadium with a 31-14 loss to Tulsa, a game the Golden Hurricanes thoroughly dominated.
But OSU may have found something to build upon, as quarterback Tristan Ti’a came off the sideline to throw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes.
The true freshman, in his first extended performance of the season, completed 8 of 11 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. It was easily the highlight of a game that was truly forgettable for more than three quarters for Oregon State (2-9).
Tulsa (3-7) raced to a 31-0 lead early in the fourth quarter and threatened to post its first shutout in 23 yards before Ti’a’s heroics. Led by running back Dominic Richardson, the Golden Hurricanes ended a five-game losing streak by amassing 446 offensive yards. Richardson ran 27 times for 166 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Baylor Hayes threw for 163 yards and a touchdown.
Thanks to a fourth-quarter uprising, Oregon State finished with 310 yards offense. Running back Anthony Hankerson ran for 46 yards, enough to push him past 1,000 yards for the season. Hankerson is the first Oregon State running back to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since Jacquizz Rodgers did it three consecutive years (2008-10).
Oregon State used a trio of quarterbacks. Gabarri Johnson started, but was pulled early in the second quarter because of an injury, replaced by Maalik Murphy. He fared poorly, hitting 5 of 11 passes for 56 yards. Only Ti’a had success.
The main beneficiary of Ti’a’s fourth-quarter magic was Trent Walker, who caught five passes for 117 yards. Walker caught passes of 38 and 43 yards from Ti’a. David Wells had seven catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, linebacker Tyree Blake had a breakout game with 11 tackles, including one for a loss. Blake came into the game with 11 tackles this season.
Tulsa led 17-0 at halftime after scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions of the first quarter. The Beavers’ offense was anemic, managing only 85 yards and six first downs during the first half.
Whatever hope for a second-half comeback fizzled on Tulsa’s opening possession of the third quarter. The Golden Hurricanes needed six plays to cover 75 yards, scoring a touchdown on Brody Foley’s 5-yard run. The lead grew to 31-0 early in the fourth quarter on a 31-yard run by Ajay Allen.
Oregon State turned to Ti’a for the final 12 minutes. His first play was nearly a disaster, as Ti’a threw an interception as he was being tackled to the ground. But a replay showed Ti’a knee had touched the ground before he threw, wiping out the theft.
From there, the first-year quarterback was money. Two plays after the near interception, Ti’a completed a 15-yard pass to Karson Boschma. Then came the 43-yarder to Walker. Four plays later, Oregon State into the end zone, as Ti’a threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Walker.
The next possession was equally encouraging. Ti’a piloted OSU on an 86-yard scoring drive, keeping it alive in the middle with a 38-yard pass to Walker. Ti’a capped the 10-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Wells.
Next up: Oregon State at Washington State, Nov. 29 in Pullman, Wash.
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