CORVALLIS, Ore. — Chance Nolan passed for 257 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for a score, leading Oregon State to a 35-14 win over Stanford on Saturday.
The victory makes Oregon State (6-4, 4-3 Pac-12) bowl eligible for the first time since 2013, and snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Cardinal.
Nolan completed 19 of 25 passes, including a 67-yard touchdown to Trevon Bradford that increased the lead to 21-0 early in the third quarter.
Injuries have taken a toll on Stanford (3-7, 2-6), which has lost five games in a row for the first time under coach David Shaw.
Freshman Ari Patu struggled to get the Cardinal’s passing game going in his first career start, completing 7 of 14 for 51 yards with a touchdown and interception before leaving midway through the third quarter with an undisclosed injury. Stanford used three quarterbacks in the game.
Oregon State’s defense made strides after giving up a total of 76 points in its previous two games, losses at California and Colorado.
Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith fired defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar on Sunday, handing the reigns to linebackers coach Trent Bray on an interim bases. The Beavers forced three turnovers, including interceptions by safety Jaydon Grant and cornerback Rejzohn Wright.
The Beavers weren’t exactly facing an offensive juggernaut. Stanford managed just 168 total yards in its previous game, a 52-7 loss to Utah — the program’s most lopsided defeat since 2003.
Oregon State opened the scoring in the first quarter on Nolan’s 4-yard touchdown run, culminating a 16-play, 74-yard drive.
Camas High grad Jack Colletto’s 2-yard touchdown run on a direct snap with 17 seconds left in the first half gave the Beavers a 14-0 advantage at the break. Stanford managed just 74 total yards in the opening half and its best drive ended on a blocked field goal attempt from 55 yards.
Oregon State increased its lead on 21-0 early in the third quarter when Bradford turned a short pass into a 67-yard touchdown.
Stanford answered with its best drive of the game. Patu completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Benjamin Yurosek on fourth and 2, cutting the lead to 21-7.
B.J. Baylor’s 6-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, and a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Teagan Quitoriano early in the third quarter gave Oregon State a 35-7 lead.
THE TAKEAWAY
Stanford: The Cardinal are guaranteed to have their second losing season since Shaw become head coach in 2011. Stanford was 4-8 in 2019.
Patu became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Stanford since John Paye in 1983. He had played in just one previous game, attempting two passes against Utah. Tanner McKee, who made six starts this season and had 14 touchdown passes, suffered a leg injury in the Washington game Oct. 30 and is out indefinitely.
Oregon State: Running back B.J. Baylor became the first 1,000-yard rusher for Oregon State since Jermar Jefferson in 2018. Baylor ran for 80 yards on 23 carries with a 6-yard touchdown late in the third quarter, his 12th rushing touchdown of the season.
The Beavers last bowl appearance was a victory over Boise State in the 2013 Hawaii Bowl.
UP NEXT
Oregon State hosts Arizona State next Saturday in their final home game of the season.
