Beavers Coach Hopes for Gulbranson’s Return Against Washington State
CORVALLIS – Oregon State football coach Trent Bray remains optimistic about quarterback Ben Gulbranson’s availability for Saturday’s game against Washington State, pending a medical evaluation expected early this week. Gulbranson, who started once this season on November 9, where he threw for 292 yards in a loss to San Jose State, missed last weekend’s trip to Air Force due to an undisclosed injury.
Should Gulbranson be unable to play, the Beavers will rely on junior Gevani McCoy or redshirt freshman Gabarri Johnson, both of whom struggled in a disappointing 28-0 defeat to Air Force. During that game, McCoy started but was replaced by Johnson in alternating series during the first half; Johnson took all the snaps in the second. Neither quarterback found success, as Johnson completed just 9 of 19 passes for 106 yards, while McCoy went 0 for 2.
Bray is currently strategizing on who to start, emphasizing the importance of tailoring the game plan to the strengths of whichever quarterback is chosen. The coach acknowledged McCoy’s recent struggles, suggesting that his performance has declined since suffering an injury at Colorado State in October.
The Beavers must enhance their protection strategy to avoid a repeat of the Air Force game, where relentless blitzing resulted in five sacks against an offense struggling to identify and respond to pressure. "We were holding on to the ball and taking sacks," Bray noted, emphasizing the need for quicker decision-making.
With the game against Washington State approaching, both quarterback health and offensive adjustments will be crucial for Oregon State’s chances of success.
For updates, contact Nick Daschel at 360-607-4824 or ndaschel@oregonian.com.
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