PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Jermar Jefferson has been added to the Doak Walker Award watch list thanks to the true freshman’s breakout performance in the first half of the season. Jefferson’s 865 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns are both third-best in FBS while he’s fourth in yards per game (144.2), and he’s on pace to break the school rushing record of 1,690, set by Stephen Jackson in 2002.
–KR/WR Champ Flemings is making the most of his dual role, contributing 227 all-purpose yards against Washington State, including 185 on kickoffs, with 55 coming on one return on a trick play.
–S Jalen Moore has at least eight tackles in five of OSU’s six games, including 14 against Arizona on Sept. 22. The junior’s 8.33 tackles per game is tied for ninth in the Pac-12.
SERIES HISTORY: Oregon State has a 33-37 record all-time against California but has dropped three of the last four meetings. The Beavers fell 37-23 at Berkeley last November and won the last home matchup (47-44 in overtime) in October 2016.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “If a guy gets hot we like to ride him for a while, but I feel awesome about those two guys.” — Coach Jonathan Smith, on RBs Jermar Jefferson and Artavis Pierce, who have combined for 1,164 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.
