2 Minute Drill: WSU’s keys to victory on Saturday at Oregon State

Don’t take your eyes off …

Victor Bolden Jr. is technically listed as a wide receiver, but he’s a threat to score when the Oregon State offense runs the ball, passes it or returns it. He is the only player in the NCAA with two 90-yard plays, including a 92-yard jet sweep and a 99-yard kick return.

When WSU has the ball …

Luke Falk might not put as much air under the ball as he has in recent weeks. Oregon State has one of the most sizable secondaries around, and those lanky playmakers on the edges make it tough to complete deep passes against the Beavers. Fortunately for the Cougars, OSU has had a tough time against teams that can run the ball.

When OSU has the ball …

The WSU secondary has to be ready in run support. OSU is impressive in its ability to rip off long runs. The Beavers rank just No. 4 in the Pac-12 in runs of 30 or more yards, but the ranking climbs to No. 2 in runs of 50 or more yards. OSU’s four runs that gained at least 60 yards are twice as many as any other Pac-12 team.

Did you know?

On Saturday, OSU will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its 1942 Rose Bowl team that defeated No. 2 Duke in Durham, North Carolina. It was the only Rose Bowl game played outside the actual Rose Bowl because of a government prohibition of large gatherings on the West Coast in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor.