Oregon State football focused on sustaining success as fall camp nears
Sustained success.
That’s now the goal, and the challenge, for Oregon State’s football program.
The Beavers went 10-3 and finished ranked No. 17 last season, which was the second winning season they’ve had under head coach Jonathan Smith, who enters his sixth season.
Now, the Beavers will try to stay at that level.
“That is the goal, to continue to improve and sustain. We’ve made some nice progress over the last five years,” Smith said Friday during Pac-12 Media Day. “We’ve got a lot of returning players that have been productive. At the same time, some new additions to add to that. We’ve built an identity on both sides of the ball, and I think that allows you to sustain.”
This is a great position for the Beavers, especially considering they were 1-11 the season before Smith arrived.
It’s been a methodical build for Smith and his staff, and it has led to this moment where Beavers fans are excited for the upcoming season, which opens at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 3 at San Jose State.
A big reason for the optimism is the quarterback position.
DJ Uiagalelei transferred to Oregon State from Clemson, giving the Beavers an upgrade with Power 5 experience. They also brought in four-star recruit Aidan Chiles.
“With the landscape of the transfer portal, there’s an opportunity to create more competition in the QB room,” Smith said. “We’re living that experience right now.”
Wide receiver Anthony Gould, from West Salem, said he has been impressed so far by Uiagalelei.
“He just comes in and works. He’s not a very loud or talkative guy. He puts his head down and he works,” said Gould, who was an All-American punt returner for the Beavers last season. “I think at the quarterback position that’s a good thing to see. It’s been a smooth transition for him. He’s going to elevate this offense in many ways.”
One thing that Oregon State has that is consistent with successful programs, Gould said, is player leadership.
“We’re very player-led,” Gould said. “With all good teams, teams that contend for titles, they have to be player-led. Just to think where we were a couple years ago to now, the standard has changed.”
The Beavers are set to open fall camp Aug. 3.
Statesman Journal reporter Pete Martini covers college and high school sports. He can be reached at pmartini@StatesmanJournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon State Beavers look to sustain success in 2023 season
