Atkinson throws five touchdowns as Oregon State beats Colorado State 56–26

Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson threw five touchdown passes, three to Jesse Legree, as the Beavers beat Colorado State 56–26 Saturday at Canvas Stadium. The Rams tied the game in the second quarter, but Oregon State responded with three touchdowns before halftime and kept scoring after the break.

Both schools' official reports credited Atkinson with 413 passing yards and Legree with 156 receiving yards. Oregon State said Atkinson completed his first 16 throws and finished 30 of 34. Legree caught five passes, with his touchdowns covering 50, 28 and 52 yards. The pair supplied most of the scoring damage in a game that sent the Beavers to 3–2 overall and 1–0 in Pac-12 play.

Legree's 50-yard catch ended Oregon State's opening possession. Gabe Milbourn then finished a 96-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, creating a 14–0 lead. Colorado State answered through Mel Brown's 17-yard run and a short touchdown keeper by K'saan Farrar, bringing the teams level early in the second quarter.

The tie lasted only until Oregon State's next scoring drive. Aaron Butler ran for a 30-yard touchdown, Eric Olsen caught a five-yard scoring pass and Legree added his second touchdown before halftime. Oregon State entered the break ahead 35–14, then added Olsen's eight-yard touchdown after a Drake Vickers interception in the third quarter.

The Beavers' running game gave Atkinson another way to move the offense. Oregon State reported 291 rushing yards, led by AJ Newberry's 90 and Cornell Hatcher Jr.'s 86. Hatcher scored on an 11-yard run, and Legree's final touchdown reception completed Oregon State's scoring. Olsen finished with nine catches for 65 yards and two touchdowns.

Colorado State's problems also produced a staff change while the game was underway. In the Rams' official report, Mike Brohard wrote that Jim Mora relieved Tyson Summers of defensive play-calling duties after Oregon State scored on its first two possessions. Mora said Summers was no longer with the program. The report establishes the change; the Rams still have to work through what follows on defense.

Brown later went to the hospital for precautionary reasons, according to Mora as reported by Colorado State. The school did not provide a diagnosis or return timetable in that report. Durell Robinson took on more of the rushing workload and finished with 117 yards on 21 carries, including a nine-yard touchdown.

Oregon State returns home to face San Diego State on October 10. Colorado State's next game is at Texas State on October 15, giving the Rams time to address the staff change and seek an update on Brown after a loss that featured six consecutive Oregon State touchdown drives.