Oregon State travels to Tulsa in battle of FBS basement

Oregon State heads to Tulsa on Saturday afternoon seeking its first road win of the season, as two struggling programs meet at Chapman Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Oregon State (2-8) has endured a historically bad season, including a coaching change after an 0-7 start, but players remain motivated with a 2-1 record in past three contests. The Beavers lean heavily on running back Anthony Hankerson, who has rushed for 969 yards and nine touchdowns. Quarterback Maalik Murphy has battled inconsistency, throwing nine touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 58.6% of his passes.

Tulsa (2-7) enters with similar issues on both sides of the ball. The Golden Hurricane average 386.2 yards per game but just 21.9 points, ranking 108th in scoring offense. Quarterback Baylor Hayes has thrown for 1,564 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Dominic Richardson leads the ground game with 696 yards.

Both defenses have struggled, with Tulsa allowing 416.0 yards per game and Oregon State giving up 372.9. Third-down efficiency could be a key factor. Oregon State ranks 14th nationally in defensive third-down percentage, while Tulsa sits 93rd on offense.

Turnovers remain a major concern for both teams, with the Beavers at minus-nine and Tulsa at minus-six in turnover margin.

Oregon State fell 21-17 to Sam Houston last week despite 166 rushing yards from Hankerson. Tulsa dropped its most recent game 40-21 to FAU, as Hayes threw two interceptions.

With both teams fighting to finish the season strong and this game offers a chance to reset and build momentum for next year. 

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