5 takeaways from Oregon State’s confounding loss to Sam Houston State

CORVALLIS — If it wasn’t one thing, it was another.

Whatever could go wrong for Oregon State against previously winless Sam Houston State, did on Saturday in a 21-17 stunner. The Beavers (2-8) had all the good vibes from two straight wins snatched away under bizarre circumstances.

The season is lost, but what can one take away from a game like that? Here are five of them:

That was hard to comprehend

Everything looked promising for OSU, up 17-0 with Anthony Hankerson dominating on the ground.

And then the horrors began, and cascaded on one another.

In chronological order:

• Gabarri Johnson tip-drill interception after starting 11 for 11 passing.
• 49-yard field goal by Caleb Ojeda blocked to end the first half.
• Offsetting penalties lead to a re-kick on the opening kickoff of the second half, and it’s returned for a touchdown by Sam Houston State.
• Ojeda misses wide left on a 46-yard field goal attempt.
• OSU turns it over on downs in the red zone.
• AJ Winsor’s punt is blocked and returned for a touchdown by Sam Houston State.
• A wide-open Hankerson drops a pass on 4th and 3 in the red zone as it hits him in the chest.
• Johnson is picked off a second time on the would-be winning drive late in the fourth.
• Despite an interception by Sai Vadrawale with 1:23 remaining and the ball at the opposing 28, OSU turns it over on downs.

Some people described Saturday’s game between OSU and Sam Houston State as one for the “sickos” — the sort of college football fan who revels in the bizarre and grotesque as much as they do the great and historic. That laundry list of self-defeating errors from OSU, combined with the Bearkats’ own incompetence despite pulling off their first win of the season, certainly fits the bill.

Anthony Hankerson had the team on his back

While Johnson had a solid game through the air outside of his interceptions, and David Wells Jr. was a big-play difference maker, senior night at Reser Stadium belonged to Hankerson.

OSU’s bell cow back had a career-high 33 carries for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He would have gone for a lot more, were his offensive line able to consistently set the edge or create holes in the middle third of the field.

Hankerson is approaching a second consecutive 1,000-yard season, having surpassed 2,000 total rushing yards in his OSU career. That is worth appreciating from a player who has embraced the community in Corvallis and been a source of positivity and servant leadership, despite all the turmoil of the past few years.

Robb Akey deserves to stick around in some capacity

Beaver fans might take issue with Akey waxing philosophical postgame instead of getting into the nitty-gritty details of why OSU lost. But if you want that, watch the game tape. It speaks for itself.

When your football program finds itself at this low of a point, it is important to recognize the value of someone with the skill of human connection, given what you aim to build in the future.

Akey isn’t likely a serious candidate for OSU’s next head coach. Saturday’s utterly mismanaged affair all but sealed that. Several of his remaining staff likely aren’t long for Corvallis, either, especially after that one.

But when the Beavers do bring in their new head coach, Akey’s voice feels like one they can’t afford to lose in the locker room. He connects with players and coaches on an emotional level and understands that college football is about a lot more than Xs and Os.

However badly OSU needs new coaches and an improved roster, it still needs its resident philosopher.

OSU has work to do retaining its promising young players

The Beavers will have to fend off the vultures as they make this coaching change. The transfer portal opens on Jan. 2, and OSU will very likely have a new coach by then, but the work to retain the strongest pieces of this roster begins well before that.

Several names come to mind as top priorities: true freshman and former four-star quarterback Tristan Ti’a; running backs Cornell Hatcher Jr. and Salahadin Allah; wide receivers Taz Reddicks and David Wells Jr.; linebackers Aiden Sullivan and Dexter Foster; defensive backs Trey Glasper, Jaheim Patterson (if he has eligibility), and Sai Vadrawale; and edge rushers Shamar Meikle, Zakaih Saez, and Takari Hickle.

At least it’s basketball season?

Both OSU basketball teams tipped off their season last week. The men are 2-0 after surviving two thrillers, and the women dominated NAIA school Corban University in their opener.

When football is this bad, it’s nice for fans to have other things to look forward to. Basketball now, and especially baseball even further down the line. OSU volleyball and men’s soccer are having great seasons as well.

If nothing else, there is something to be said for the benefit of distraction right now for the OSU faithful. It’s easy to find oneself in a doom loop.

All the stress of a brutal football season and handwringing over a pivotal coaching hire can take a temporary backseat, if you let it.

Next game: Oregon State (2-8) at Tulsa (2-7)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 15
• Time: 10:00 a.m. PT
• Where: H.A. Chapman Stadium — Tulsa, OK
• TV Channel: None
• Stream: ESPN+