CORVALLIS — Just when it appeared Oregon State had left the worst of this 2025 season behind it, the Beavers hit rock bottom.
Sam Houston State, one of two winless FBS teams left in the country this season, ran out of Reser Stadium with a 21-17 win over Oregon State on Saturday.
Oregon State (2-8) outgained the Bearkats by more than 300 yards, but three turnovers and brutal special teams mistakes allowed Sam Houston State to pull of a stunning upset.
The Beavers kicked away a 17-0 first half lead, as Sam Houston State (1-8) returned a kickoff and blocked punt for second-half touchdowns.
Sam Houston State managed just 157 yards of offense. Since 1996, Oregon State was 24-0 when holding an opponent to fewer than 200 yards.
The Beavers are now 24-1.
Oregon State, which came into Saturday on a two-game winning streak, had myriad chances to put the game away, and two chances to take the lead down the stretch. The Bearkats turned back OSU twice in the red zone during the final four minutes.
A bright spot for the Beavers was the play of senior running back Anthony Hankerson, on senior night no less: a career-high 33 carries, 166 yards and two touchdowns.
OSU’s offense generated 474 yards, including 286 through the air by quarterback Gabarri Johnson. David Wells Jr. caught nine passes for 112 yards to lead the way.
The Beavers came out with their hair on fire, handing the ball to a feisty Hankerson several times over. He picked up three straight first downs, running for 41 yards on the drive en route to a touchdown on the direct snap.
Walker Harris got in on the action on senior night, picking up a sack on the next drive to force a three-and-out from Sam Houston. The Beavers converted a 36-yard field goal by Caleb Ojeda to make it 10-0.
Turnovers hurt OSU multiple times in the first half. A fumble from Trent Walker set up Sam Houston with prime field position in the red zone, but the Bearkats biffed a chip shot field goal and came away with no points.
Hankerson extended the OSU lead to 17-0 on a rumbling, 13-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. He ran for 90 yards and two scores on 18 carries in the first half alone.
While Gabarri Johnson started the game 11 for 11 passing, his 12th was tipped in the air and intercepted by Sam Houston. The ensuing drive resulted in a 35-yard touchdown catch by Chris Reed in the back of the end zone, as he boxed out OSU’s Jalil Tucker.
OSU had a 49-yard field goal blocked to end the first half, and it was 17-7 Beavers at the break.
The special teams woes bled into the second half. After offsetting penalties including offsides on the Beavers, a re-kick on the opening kickoff of the third quarter was returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Sam Houston’s Tim Burns Jr.
OSU’s lead was down to 17-14.
A promising drive early in the third, carried once again by Hankerson. soured near the red zone. And on 4th and short, a 46-yard field goal by Ojeda missed wide left.
OSU turned it over on downs on its next red zone possession, and Sam Houston inserted a different freshman quarterback — Landyn Locke — into the game.
Locke aired it out, leading the Bearkats down the field and to the edge of the red zone. But they got in on the special teams mess, missing a 47-yard field goal to keep it 17-14 early in the fourth.
The horror returned for OSU.
AJ Winsor’s punt was blocked and returned for a touchdown by Sam Houston’s Brody Henderson.
Inexplicably, the Bearkats led, 21-17.
David Wells Jr. made two crucial catches on the ensuing drive for OSU, getting them into the red zone. But on 4th and 3 at the opposing 10, a wide open Hankerson wasn’t able to bring in a pass that bounced off his chest and hit the ground.
Sam Houston State went three-and-out, and nearly avoided a safety on consecutive plays. Walker called for a fair catch near midfield with just over three minutes remaining. But it mattered little, as the Beavers drove to Bearkats’ 23, only to run out of downs.
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+
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