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SALT LAKE CITY — By now everyone in the Pac-12 has heard about Utah’s ability to get to the quarterback, particularly after Utah’s 10-sack performance against then-No. 8 UCLA nearly two weeks ago.
It’s not the secret Utah is trying to keep coming into the Oregon State game, but that doesn’t mean the Beavers aren’t worried about it.
Utah’s Nate Orchard is second in the country in sacks with 8.5 on the season, but managed four in his performance against UCLA. As a result, Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion said the team has to focus its attention on Orchard.
“We’ve got to be aware of him and focus on our techniques up front,” Mannion told the Corvallis Gazette-Times. “And for me, just play fast and be able to move well in the pocket, maybe evade a hit or two and just execute our offense the way it’s meant to be run.”
“We don’t know how long the quarterback’s going to hold the ball, so we don’t want those second-effort sacks to happen,” added Oregon State offensive tackle Gavin Andrews.
This year, Oregon State has allowed 12 sacks in five games and is a little banged up on the offensive line with starting center Isaac Seumalo out.
The Oregonian’s Connor Letourneau said: “I expect OSU to struggle against defensive end Nate Orchard and associates. Mannion, who has had a tough time facing quality front sevens in the past, may be in for a long night.”
I think in general you have to be very careful. We're going to have to play real well and block real well, no matter what the protection is.
–Mike Riley
Last season, despite a depleted roster, Oregon State utilized a max-protection scheme on the offense to keep Utah from getting to Mannion and allow the passing game to disable Utah’s front seven. The strategy worked as Mannion had plenty of time in the pocket and his passes to now-NFL receiver Brandin Cooks ultimately gave the Beavers an overtime win.
“I think in general you have to be very careful,” Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said in a Pac-12 teleconference. “We’re going to have to play real well and block real well, no matter what the protection is.”
But Oregon State no longer has the talented Cooks and has struggled to open up the passing game more than it has in the past. Mannion is averaging 260.8 passing yards per game, but only has five touchdowns and four interceptions. And three of those touchdowns came in one game against Hawaii on the road in a close 38-30 win.
While there are several aspect to Thursday’s game, The Oregonian’s Ken Goe said the effectiveness of the offensive line against Utah’s defense “will go a long way to determining the outcome of the game.”
“The Beavers’ offensive line has played well for the most part, and did for the first half against USC’s tough, physical defensive line,” Goe said. “If OSU generates a running game, and Mannion passes on his terms, the Beavers have a very good chance to win. If not, this could be a very long evening.”
But Utah’s defense is not Oregon State’s only dilemma coming into the game where they’re the underdog at home. Not knowing who Utah’s quarterback will be has forced the Beavers to prepare for two talented players, one of which, Travis Wilson, nearly stifled Oregon State’s win last year.
“Obviously we have to prepare for both if they’re not going to name the starter,” Riley said. “They certainly have two good players to pick from. We played against Travis last year and he gave us all sorts of fits. The new guy has come in there and done a nice job. It’s probably a good problem for Utah to face.”
