Oregon State defense holds back Boise State 34-17

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Chance Nolan passed for two touchdowns and Oregon State’s defense forced five turnovers in a season-opening 34-17 victory over Boise State on Saturday.

The Beavers, who are hoping to build on last season’s first bowl-game appearance since 2013, took control early behind their opportunistic defense and a few big plays offensively.

Oregon State snapped its six-game losing streak in season openers.

Boise State received a lift off the bench from backup quarterback Taylen Green, who replaced an ineffective Hank Bachmeier and sparked a second-half comeback.

Bachmeier, a fourth-year starter, was pulled in the second quarter and did not return after tossing two interceptions and losing a fumble. He did not play in the second half.

Green showed promise, especially as a runner with 102 yards on the ground. His 74-yard touchdown gallop late in the third quarter cut Oregon State’s lead to 27-10. He also scored on a 4-yard keeper early in the fourth quarter that brought Boise State within 27-17.

With the Beavers’ offense in neutral, short-yardage specialist Jack Colletto — a Camas High alum — broke loose up the middle on a third-and-2 play for a 41-yard touchdown with 10:39 remaining to provide the final margin of victory.

The Beavers opened the scoring on tight end Luke Musgrave’s 26-yard touchdown catch, which followed Bachmeier’s second interception of the first quarter.

After a three-and-out by Boise State, Nolan hit Tyjon Lindsey for a 47-yard touchdown, giving Oregon State a 14-0 lead at 1:15 of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Riley Sharp’s sack of Bachmeier forced a fumble that Colletto recovered at the Broncos’ 6-yard line. Boise State’s defense held and Everett Hayes kicked a 23-yard field goal to increase the lead to 17-0.

The Broncos whiffed on their best scoring opportunity in the first half when Ashton Jeanty lost a fumble at the Beavers’ 2-yard line.

A 74-yard catch-and-run by Anthony Gould set up Deshaun Fenwick’s 5-yard touchdown to increase the Beavers’ lead to 24-0 at the break.

Nolan was intercepted early in the third quarter on a sideline pass that he appeared to try and throw out of bounds. Despite taking over on the Beavers’ 25-yard line, Boise State settled for a 41-yard field goal by Jonah Dalmas to get on the scoreboard.

A 41-yard pass from wide receiver John Dunmore to Trey Lowe led to Hayes’ 24-yard field goal and a 27-3 Beavers’ lead, but Green’s long touchdown run gave the Broncos life.

THE TAKEWAY

Boise State: Is it time for the Taylen Green era at quarterback? Backmeier struggled mightily. Green is a work in progress as a passer, but he gives the Broncos another dimension with his running ability and speed. Will Backmeier bounce back or could there be a quarterback controversy brewing?

Oregon State: The Beavers’ defense was superb in the first half, forcing four turnovers that were instrumental in building a big lead. Nolan, a returning starter at quarterback, displayed his big-play capability in the passing game, but he also was intercepted twice. Avoiding turnovers will be a priority for Nolan moving forward.

UP NEXT

Boise State will play at New Mexico on Saturday.

Oregon State will play at Fresno State on Saturday.

OREGON STATE 34, BOISE STATE 17

OSU—Musgrave 27 pass from Nolan (Hayes kick), 5:24.

OSU—Lindsey 47 pass from Nolan (Hayes kick), 1:15.

Second Quarter

OSU—FG Hayes 20, 10:28.

OSU—Fenwick 12 run (Hayes kick), 3:11.

Third Quarter

BSU—FG Dalmas 41, 12:11.

OSU—FG Hayes 23, 2:57.

BSU—T.Green 74 run (Dalmas kick), 2:10.

Fourth Quarter

BSU—T.Green 4 run (Dalmas kick), 13:05.

OSU—Colletto 41 run (Hayes kick), 10:39.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Boise St., Green 11-102, Jeanty 4-16, Holani 13-9, Caples 1-5, Bachmeier 2-(minus 6). Oregon St., Colletto 3-44, Martinez 11-40, Fenwick 10-39, Lowe 7-32, Nolan 4-28, (Team) 1-(minus 1), Gould 1-(minus 4).

PASSING—Boise St., Green 19-28-1-155, Bachmeier 4-8-2-30. Oregon St., Nolan 14-23-2-251, Dunmore 1-1-0-41.

RECEIVING—Boise St., Jeanty 6-52, Cobbs 4-39, Smith 4-29, Caples 4-23, Holani 3-35, Bowens 2-7. Oregon St., Musgrave 6-89, Harrison 3-33, Gould 2-69, Lindsey 2-55, Lowe 2-46.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—Boise St., Dalmas 32, Dalmas 32. Oregon St., Hayes 47.