Oregon State Football Collapses Against Sam Houston

In a stunning turn of events, the Oregon State Beavers football team suffered a heartbreaking 21-17 defeat to the previously winless Sam Houston State Bearkats on Saturday night, November 8, 2025. The loss not only ended Oregon State's brief two-game winning streak but also handed Sam Houston their first victory of the season and snapped an eight-game losing streak.

The game at Reser Stadium was filled with dramatic moments, as Oregon State dominated statistically with 474 total yards of offense compared to just 157 for the Bearkats. However, critical mistakes in all three phases of the game ultimately doomed the Beavers, who fell to 2-7 on the season.

Key Moments in the Second Half Collapse

The turning point came in the second half when Oregon State's special teams unit completely broke down. Sam Houston's Tim Burns Jr. returned the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards for a touchdown, immediately shifting the momentum of the game.

Just minutes later, the Bearkats struck again when Lyric Smith blocked an Oregon State punt that Brody Henderson scooped up and ran 31 yards for a touchdown, giving Sam Houston a 21-17 lead with 8:29 remaining in the game.

"It's a tough loss," said Oregon State head coach after the game. "We had opportunities but couldn't capitalize. The special teams mistakes were costly, and when you give up two touchdowns like that, it's hard to overcome."

Beavers Offense Shines Despite Loss

Despite the defeat, Oregon State's offense showed flashes of brilliance. Running back Anthony Hankerson was the bright spot, carrying the ball 33 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdown runs in the first half gave the Beavers an early 17-7 lead.

Quarterback Gabarri Johnson had a solid statistical performance, completing 28 of 39 passes for 283 yards, though he was unable to find the end zone and threw two interceptions that proved costly.

Special Teams Woes Prove Costly

Special teams mistakes were the story of the game for Oregon State. In addition to the kickoff return and blocked punt for touchdowns, the Beavers missed two field goals, including a 42-yard attempt as time expired in the first half that would have given them a more comfortable lead at the break.

"We didn't execute when we needed to," said kicker Caleb Ojeda, who missed both of his field goal attempts. "Those are plays that we have to make, especially in a game like this."

Historic Win for Sam Houston

For Sam Houston, the victory was historic. The Bearkats entered the game 0-8 and were facing the prospect of becoming the first team in program history to start 0-9. First-year head coach Phil Longo, who hadn't won as a head coach since November 12, 2005, when he was at La Salle, finally got his first win at the helm.

"This is huge for our program," said Longo after the game. "Our guys kept fighting, and we found a way to win. The special teams made the plays when they needed to, and that was the difference in the game."

What's Next for Oregon State

With this loss, Oregon State's season continues to spiral downward. The Beavers will look to regroup as they hit the road for their penultimate game of the season against Tulsa on November 15. A win would give them a chance to finish the season on a positive note, but the team will need to address their special teams issues quickly.

"We have a short week to prepare for Tulsa," the coach said. "We need to put this behind us and focus on getting better. There's still football to be played, and we want to finish strong."

The loss to Sam Houston State will undoubtedly sting for the Beavers and their fans, who witnessed a game where the team had plenty of opportunities to secure victory but couldn't close the deal. As the season winds down, questions about the team's future direction will only intensify.