Shephard Urges Oregon State to Move Past Fresno State Loss

Oregon State coach JaMarcus Shephard said the Beavers must learn from their weekend loss to Fresno State without letting it define their season. Speaking to reporters on November 2, he said the team needed to focus on its next game against Texas State on November 7 and avoid becoming distracted by the defeat.

Oregon State struggled to stop Fresno State’s rushing attack, lost two fumbles and scored on four of seven trips to the red zone. Shephard said the coaching staff would address those breakdowns and prepare the players to respond. He stressed that the team needed to make the mistakes useful as it moved forward.

One encouraging development was the debut of Adonis McDaniel, who caught two passes for 30 yards and gained six yards on a rushing attempt. Shephard praised McDaniel’s playmaking on a screen pass and his catch over the middle, saying the performance could earn him a larger role in the offense.

The Beavers will also count on quarterback Braden Atkinson and receiver Jesse Legree. Atkinson threw for about 370 yards despite taking several hits, and Shephard said Oregon State’s offensive line needed to protect him. The coach urged players to reset after each play as the team seeks its sixth win. Oregon State is set to face Texas State for the first time, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Pacific on The CW.