CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State’s Ben Gulbranson threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score, and the Beavers’ defense turned in another strong performance in Saturday night’s 38-10 victory over California.
Oregon State (7-3, 4-3 Pac-12) got a 55-yard punt return from Anthony Gould for a touchdown and did enough on offense to control the game. Damien Martinez had his fourth straight 100-yard game with 105 yards on 23 carries.
Gulbranson completed 15 of 23 passes for 137 yards and is 4-1 since replacing Chance Nolan as the Beavers’ starting quarterback.
A week after they scored 35 points in a loss at USC, the Bears (3-7, 1-6 conference) were limited to 156 total yards and did not score an offensive touchdown.
Oregon State opened the scoring on Gulbranson’s 1-yard run, set up by a 37-yard pass from all-purpose standout Jack Collette to Gould on fourth-and-2 from the Bears’ 48-yard line.
Linebacker Kyrei Fisher-Morris intercepted Jack Plummer on the next possession deep in California territory. That led to a 5-yard touchdown run by Jem Griffin to extend the lead to 14-0 with 2:14 left in the first quarter.
Gould returned a punt for a touchdown — his second special teams score of the season — early in the second quarter to give the Beavers a 21-0 lead.
After Cal failed to convert a fourth down at the Beavers’ 18-yard line, the Bears’ defense made a big play.
Cornerback Jeremiah Erby scooped up Martinez’s fumble and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to 21-7 at halftime. The Bears managed just 53 yards of total offense in the first half.
Everett Hayes kicked a 49-yard field goal in the first half to extend the lead to 24-7.
An 8-yard pass from Gulbranson to Tre’Sean Harrison put Oregon State up 31-7 at 4:03 of the third quarter, and Gulbranson connected with tight end Jack Wailing for a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
FOR TAKE AWAY
California: The Bears fell off the scoreboard with their sixth straight loss and struggled offensively. Jayden Ott, who entered the game leading all Pac-12 freshmen in rushing with 725 yards, was limited to 20 yards on eight carries.
State of Oregon: The Beavers took care of business at home, winning for the 10th time in their last 11 games at Razor Stadium since the start of the 2021 season. The only loss was a 17-14 setback on Sept. 14 against USC. Gulbransson continues to be productive as a defender in a ball-control offense. … Camas High graduate Jack Coletta, the Beavers’ all-time player, caught a 37-yard pass.
FURTHER
Oregon State will be at Arizona State next Saturday.
