CORVALLIS — Can anyone in the Pac-12 stop Oregon State’s offense?
So far, no.
Wearing head-to-toe orange inside an orange-filled Reser Stadium on Oct. 10, Oregon State football defeated San Diego State, 66-14.
“I thought our players had a lot of intelligence and control throughout the game,” coach JaMarcus Shephard said. “Right now, they have to do an outstanding job of being generous with one another on and off the field … I think it’s really important for them to understand that the time they’re spending with one another, they’ll never get this back.
“This 2026 team will never be together again after this season is over with. Guys will graduate, and move on, and they need to be generous with each other with their time on and off the field.”
One of the reasons Shephard’s preaching living in the moment and appreciation is because of the scale of the heater that this team is on. The Beavers advanced to 4-2 with a fourth straight win and are breaking countless records along the way.
Saturday evening was the third time in four games Oregon State has scored 50 or more points.
Oregon State’s 207 points scored in the four-win stretch are the most OSU has ever scored over four games, dating back to 1921.
Steering the offense that seems to have no brake pedal continues to be quarterback Braden Atkinson, who came into the Week 6 contest leading the NCAA in passing yards. Against San Diego State, Atkinson completed 29 of 38 passes for 409 yards and five touchdowns.
Atkinson has defined the role as his own in Corvallis. Just six games into his OSU career after transferring from Mercer, Atkinson has already surpassed the number of passing touchdowns OSU threw all of last season.
He and freshman receiver Jesse Legree delivered another jaw-dropping performance that has The Athletic calling Oregon State ‘the most fun team in college football.’
Legree set an individual Oregon State record against San Diego State with 191 receiving yards, marking his sixth-straight game with 100-plus yards — a school record. Legree also scored three touchdowns, putting him up to 12 total on the season.
“It feels surreal because I knew coming into this game that I could make history,” Legree said. “Just being able to do that, it just feels great. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”
Legree’s tallies have him on par with the Heisman Trophy favorite, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. After one of Legree’s touchdowns Saturday, he even hit the Heisman pose — something he believes he has a legitimate shot at winning.
“When I realized how much trust the coaches have put in me, which started in spring, transferred over to summer, fall camp and now you see it on Saturdays,” Legree said. “I’m making history every week. You’re not seeing no freshman do this, no years. Just to have the quarterback I have to put me in this position feels great.”
Oregon State’s defense, likewise to the offense, displayed dominance over a struggling San Diego State.
The Aztecs punted or turned the ball over on all but one drive.
It’s the second game in a row the Beavers’ defense only allowed one touchdown. One of San Diego State’s two scores was a kickoff return.
“It’s so hard sometimes because our offense tends to get a lot of the TV time and whatnot, but our defense doesn’t get a lot of TV time because they’re getting three-and-outs today,” Shephard said. “They were finding ways to get off the field on third down. And those fourth down stops are critical to the game. In their territory, to go give us a chance to score in those moments … I never doubted them and that’s the one thing I will say.”
Oregon State forced two turnovers on downs, both of which resulted in immediate Oregon State touchdowns.
San Diego State gained just 147 yards as a team offensively and had six first downs, total.
By midway through the third quarter, Oregon State took its foot off the gas. Atkinson, Legree and several OSU starters took to the bench for the remainder of the game.
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Oregon State vs. San Diego State score
QuarterQ1Q2Q3Q4—ScoreSan Diego St.0770—14Oregon State1424217—66
Oregon State vs. San Diego State updates, score, analysis
Final: Oregon State 66, San Diego State 14
The Beavers improve to 4-2 and host Washington State next Saturday, Oct. 17.
Oregon State turns ball over on downs
A 10-play, 41-yard drive from Oregon State results in a turnover on downs deep in San Diego State territory.
The Aztecs’ offense takes the field on its own 16-yard line with 6:32 left in the game.
San Diego State punts
San Diego State punts for the sixth time today. Oregon State’s offense will take the field on its own 43-yard line with 12 minutes left in the game.
Eddie Freauff scores touchdown
OSU receiver Eddie Freauff scores a 7-yard touchdown on a pass from Maalik Murphy.
Oregon State extends its lead with just over 13 minutes left in the game.
OSU leads big heading into fourth
Oregon State leads San Diego State 59-14 at the end of the third.
Oregon State’s starters are off the field and the second-stringers have entered, for the most part. Quarterback Maalik Murphy and the Beavers have the ball on San Diego State’s 24-yard line to start the fourth.
Maalik Murphy comes in at quarterback
Up 59-14 with six minutes left in the third quarter, OSU backup quarterback Maalik Murphy takes the reins from Braden Atkinson.
San Diego State houses kickoff
San Diego State’s Jaylon Hawkins returns a kickoff for a touchdown.
Oregon State still leads big with 6:26 left in the third.
Oregon State punches touchdown
Oregon State running back Jake Reichle scores a 1-yard touchdown for the Beavers.
Oregon State leads 59-7 with under seven minutes left in the third.
OSU grabs interception
Oregon State linebacker Jabari Odoemenem grabs an interception off of SDSU quarterback Jayden Denegal.
The Oregon State offense will take the field on the SDSU 46-yard line with 9:30 remaining.
Jesse Legree scores third touchdown
Receiver Jesse Legree runs an untouched route from start to finish and scores a 31-yard touchdown from a Braden Atkinson pass.
Legree’s up to 12 touchdowns on the season.
Oregon State leads 52-7 with 11:16 to go in the third.
San Diego State punts
Oregon State receives San Diego State’s punt. The Beavers’ offense will take the field on the OSU 41-yard line with 13:09 left in the third.
Jesse Legree hits Heisman on second TD
On the first play of the drive, quarterback Braden Atkinson finds receiver Jesse Legree for a 71-yard touchdown. Legree celebrated by hitting the Heisman pose.
Legree scores his 11th touchdown of the season, second of the day. He’s up to 160 yards against San Diego State — marking his sixth-straight 100-plus yard game. That’s an Oregon State record.
Oregon State leads 45-7 with 13:36 left in the third.
San Diego State punts
San Diego State goes three-and-out to start the third quarter.
Oregon State recieves the punt and hte offense will take the field.
OSU kicks off to SDSU
Oregon State kicks off to San Diego State to start the second half.
Oregon State takes lead into half
With time expiring in the first half, OSU kicker Caleb Ojeda hits a 53-yard field goal.
Oregon State leads 38-7 at halftime.
OSU quarterback Braden Atkinson has completed 21-of-30 passes for 246 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Jesse Legree has 89 yards and a touchdown on eight catches.
San Diego State finds the end zone
After five consecutive drives that resulted in either punts or turnovers on downs, the San Diego State offense finally puts one in the end zone.
Quarterback Jayden Denegal hit receiver Jacob Bostick for an 11-yard score.
Oregon State leads San Diego State 35-7 with 25 seconds left in the half.
Oregon State misses field goal
For the first time today, Oregon State fails to score a touchdown on a drive. Kicker Caleb Ojeda stepped up to take a 51-yard field goal, but misses wide left.
Oregon State remains ahead of San Diego State, 35-0. There’s 1:34 left in the first half and the SDSU offense takes the field on its own 33-yard line.
Oregon State offense takes field
San Diego State’s offense suffers another turnover on downs.
The OSU offense has the ball on SDSU’s 33-yard line with two minutes left in the first half.
Reser Stadium erupts to announcement of Ducks’ loss
In recent minutes, the Oregon Ducks football team finalized a 17-15 loss to UCLA.
The news was announced to an orange-out crowd at Reser Stadium, resulting in a roar nearly as loud as the Beavers’ most recent touchdown.
On the field at Reser Stadium, the San Diego State offense has a 1st and 10 on its own 39-yard line. Oregon State leads 35-0 with 4:45 left in the second quarter.
Oregon State finds the end zone… again
OSU quarterback Braden Atkinson fires one down the pipe to tight end Decorion Temple for a 12-yard touchdown.
Oregon State marches a 10-play, 64-yard drive to the end zone. Oregon State’s scored on every drive its had today. Atkinson is up to 227 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The score is 35-0 with just over five minutes left in the first half.
San Diego State punts
The visiting San Diego State offense has struggled to maintain any momentum in this one. The Aztecs punt for the third time today.
Oregon State’s offense takes the field on its own 36-yard line with 10:30 left in the first half.
Oregon State scores again
The Beavers can’t stop scoring. Running back Cornell Hatcher Jr. punches in a 1-yard touchdown after a short drive.
Oregon State leads 28-0 with 11:28 left in the first half.
Oregon State forces turnover on downs
Reser Stadium is rocking.
Oregon State’s defense blows up a 4th and 1 try by the San Diego State offense deep in its own half to force a turnover on downs.
The Oregon State offense takes the field on the SDSU 32-yard line with 13:40 left in the first quarter.
Jesse Legree scores
America’s favorite duo strikes again.
Like every other game this fall, OSU freshman receiver Jesse Legree scores.
Legree catches a wide-open pass from quarterback Braden Atkinson for an 11-yard touchdown. Oregon State leads 21-0 with 14:55 left in the second quarter.
Legree is up to 10 touchdowns this season. Today, Legree’s up to 83 yards on seven catches.
Beavers lead after one
Oregon State leads San Diego State 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
OSU has the ball deep in San Diego State territory to start the second.
Jesse Legree makes ridiculous catch
A Braden Atkinson pass to Jesse Legree was tipped on the way, but a laser-sharp Legree somehow hauls it in on the sideline for a 23-yard gain. OSU is on the San Diego State 15-yard line.
Legree has 72 yards on six catches in the first quarter.
Dylan Layne breaks up pass
On a San Diego State third down, OSU linebacker nearly steals an interception off of SDSU quarterback Jayden Denegal.
The visiting Aztecs punt and the Oregon State offense is set to take the field on it’s own 28-yard line with three minutes left in the first quarter.
AJ Newberry scores for OSU
A creatively-drawn play results in OSU running back AJ Newberry finding the end zone from 27-yards untouched.
Receivers Jesse Legree and Bubba Hampton got in on the action in that drive. Newberry finishes off an eight-play, 80-yard drive for the score. Quarterback Braden Atkinson is already 10-for-12 passing for 118 yards.
Oregon State leads 14-0 with 3:40 left in the first quarter.
Oregon State forces punt
San Diego State puts up an opening six-play, 21-yard drive but settles for a punt. Oregon State’s Aiden Sullivan gets a pass breakup on third down.
The Beavers’ offense will take the field on the OSU 20-yard line with 6:48 left in the first quarter.
Oregon State scores early
Oregon State takes the opening drive of the game to the house. Former quarterback Maalik Murphy lines up as a tight end and catches a 2-yard pass from quarterback Braden Atkinson.
Murphy caps off an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 5:21 off the first quarter clock.
Oregon State leads San Diego State, 7-0.
Kickoff in Corvallis
San Diego State kicks the ball off to Oregon State and this Week 6 contest is underway.
The Beavers’ offense takes the field.
An orange-out crowd
On the field, Oregon State’s dressed head to toe in Beaver orange.
In the crowd, it’s much of the same. Oregon State’s social media accounts promoted a themed orange-out game for the contest with San Diego State.
The eye-popping orange is a stark contrast to the visiting San Diego State Aztecs, which don all-white uniforms with black and red accents.
Beavers excited to be home
It’s been a few weeks since Oregon State played in front of the Reser Stadium crowd. After the wait, the Beavers are antsy to be back.
“The roar of the crowd … it’s like oxygen,” OSU coach JaMarcus Shephard said. “Every time we hear that crowd roar, that is our oxygen mask that we’re putting on.”
After two games of hearing boos and whistles while entering opposing stadiums and scoring touchdowns, Shephard and the Beavers think the energy of a home crowd in Corvallis will spark something great.
“When you get off the bus and there’s a crowd that roars, there’s an electricity that goes inside of you,” Shephard said. “(People) are there to enjoy their Saturday and guess what, their Saturday is going to ride or die on how you play. There’s something special about getting off that bus for the first time and hearing that roar from the crowd because you are actually playing for something.”
A vulnerable San Diego State defense
Shephard emphasized efficiency, intentionality and versatility as keys to victory against San Diego State (2-3).
The Aztecs have put up 20 or fewer points in three of their five games and allow an average of over 28 points per game.
Defensively, San Diego State gives up the ninth-most yards per game in the country. The Aztecs’ 443.2 yards per game allowed — 266.6 passing yards allowed per game, 10th-most nationally — bodes well for an Oregon State offense that has developed a versatile rhythm of establishing the run and striking through the air when needed.
Beavers quarterback Braden Atkinson leads the NCAA with 1,848 passing yards and is second in touchdowns with 16 this fall. A defense vulnerable to the passing game such as San Diego State could lead Atkinson and company to another eye-popping performance.
“I think he’s really opened up people’s understanding of what he’s capable of because of different concepts that we’re running,” Shephard said. “He’s doing a good job layering the football as we go down the field.”
What channel is Oregon State vs. San Diego State on today?
TV channel: USA Sports from the USA NetworkLivestream:Sling TVHulu + Live TVDirecTV Stream
San Diego State at Oregon State will air on USA Sports from the USA Network in Week 6 of the 2026 college football season. Nate Gatter and Ryan Leaf will call the game from the booth at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon with Lauren Green reporting from the sidelines. Other streaming options include Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV stream.
Oregon State vs. San Diego State time today
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10Start time: 3 p.m.
The Oregon State vs. San Diego State game starts at 3 p.m. from Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Oregon.
Oregon State vs. San Diego State predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Oct. 9.
Spread: Oregon State by 15.5Over/under: 53.5Moneyline: Oregon State -720, San Diego State +510
Oregon State Beavers football 2026 schedule
Sept. 5 — at Houston, 33-20 lossSept. 12 — Texas Tech, 35-24 lossSept. 19 — Montana, 52-17 winSept. 26 — at UTEP, 33-7 winOct. 3 — at Colorado State, 56-26 winOct. 10 — San Diego State, 3 p.m.Oct. 17 — Washington State, 3 p.m.Oct. 31 — at Fresno State, 8 p.m.Nov. 7 — Texas State, 7:30 p.m.Nov. 14 — at Boise State, 3 p.m.Nov. 21 — Utah State, 7:30 p.m.Nov. 28 — Pac-12 flex game, opponent, site and time TBA
San Diego State Aztecs football 2026 schedule
Sept. 5 — Portland State, 53-20 winSept. 12 — at UCLA, 28-10 lossSept. 19 — James Madison, 26-13 lossSept. 26 — at Toledo, 41-16 lossOct. 3 — Texas State, 31-29 winOct. 10 — at Oregon State, 3 p.m.Oct. 17 — Fresno State, 7:30 p.m.Oct. 24 — at Colorado State, 3:30 p.m.Oct. 31 — Washington State, 4 p.m.Nov. 14 — Utah State, 6:30 p.m.Nov. 21 – at Boise State, 6:30 p.m.Nov. 28 — Pac-12 flex game, opponent, site and time TBA
Landon Bartlett covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at lbartlett@salem.gannett.com or on X or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon State vs. San Diego State final score, reaction to Beavers’ win
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Reporting by Landon Bartlett, Salem Statesman Journal / Salem Statesman Journal
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