If you were looking at the box score of the Lafayette football vs Oregon State Beavers football game from October 18, 2025, you might think it was just another blowout. A 45-13 final score usually tells a pretty simple story of a Power Four (or former Pac-12) program flexing on an FCS school. But honestly, if you actually watched those first 30 minutes at Reser Stadium, you know it was anything but predictable.
For two quarters, the Lafayette Leopards didn't just hang around. They led.
It was 13-10 at the half, and the vibe in Corvallis was getting weirdly quiet. You had an Oregon State team that had been struggling all year—actually, they were 0-7 going into this game—facing a Lafayette squad that looked like they belonged on the big stage.
The Night the Leopards Almost Stunned Reser Stadium
Nobody expected Lafayette to come out swinging like that. The Leopards marched 76 yards on their opening drive, chewing up nearly seven minutes of clock. Jack Simonetta nailed a 28-yard field goal to put the underdogs up 3-0. It was a statement.
Oregon State looked sluggish. Gabarri Johnson, who got the start at quarterback, was trying to find a rhythm, but the Lafayette defense wasn't giving an inch. Jalen Edwards even picked off Johnson in the red zone during the second quarter.
Turning Points and Half-Time Shocks
Lafayette’s Dean DeNobile was surgical in the first half. He found freshman Matthew Scerbo for a 15-yard touchdown that tied the game at 10-10 with less than two minutes left in the second. Then, after the defense forced a quick three-and-out, the Leopards got the ball back with 40 seconds left.
DeNobile hit Elijah Steward and Carson Persing for quick gains, setting up Simonetta for a 37-yard field goal as the clock hit zero.
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Lafayette 13. Oregon State 10.
The Leopards walked into the locker room with the lead, and for a moment, the "Patterson miracle" felt possible. But the second half was a completely different story.
Why the Lafayette Football vs Oregon State Beavers Football Game Flipped
Depth is a monster. In college football, the difference between the FBS and FCS usually isn't the first string; it's the second and third.
Oregon State came out for the third quarter looking like a team that had been told their season depended on the next 30 minutes. Interim head coach Robb Akey, who had just taken over after the firing of Trent Bray, clearly lit a fire under them.
The Beavers scored 35 unanswered points.
The Anthony Hankerson Show
If you don't know the name Anthony Hankerson, you should. The Beaver running back went absolutely nuclear in the second half. He finished the night with 204 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
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It wasn't just that he was fast; he was punishing.
- He scored on a 1-yard plunge in the second.
- He added a 15-yarder in the third.
- He punched in a 9-yarder in the fourth.
- He capped it off with a soul-crushing 65-yard sprint to the end zone.
Lafayette’s defensive front, which had been so stout early on, just wore down. You could see the fatigue setting in. They were missing tackles they made in the first quarter. By the time Gabarri Johnson ripped off a 20-yard touchdown run of his own, the rout was officially on.
The Stats That Matter (and the Ones That Don't)
When you look at the final yardage, it’s jarring. Oregon State racked up 517 total yards compared to Lafayette’s 269. The Beavers rushed for 365 yards. That’s an 8.7 yards-per-carry average. You aren't winning many games when the other team is basically getting a first down every time they hand the ball off.
Lafayette’s Kente Edwards, who had been dealing with some injury issues, managed 41 yards on 13 carries. It wasn't his best night, but the fact that he was out there against that level of competition says a lot about his toughness.
Gabarri Johnson’s Growth
This game was huge for Gabarri Johnson. Even though he had that early interception, he finished 7-of-9 passing and was a nightmare on the ground. He provided a dual-threat dimension that the Beavers had been missing all season. His 52-yard run in the third quarter was arguably the play that broke the Leopards' spirit.
What This Game Taught Us About Both Programs
For Lafayette, this wasn't a "moral victory" type of deal. They were frustrated. They knew they had Oregon State on the ropes. Coach John Troxell has built a culture where they expect to compete with anyone, and for 30 minutes, they did.
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The Leopards finished their season 8-4. They were a force in the Patriot League. This game in Corvallis was a litmus test that showed they have the talent to play up, even if they don't yet have the depth to finish it.
Oregon State, on the other hand, used this as a springboard. It was their first win of 2025. It saved them from a winless disaster and gave the "New Regime" under JaMarcus Shephard (who took over later) something to build on.
Key Takeaways for Fans
- Scheduling Matters: Lafayette playing two FBS teams (Bowling Green and Oregon State) in one year is bold. It helps with recruiting and gives players experience they can't get anywhere else.
- The Transfer Portal Impact: Many of the Beavers' key contributors were portal additions. This game showed how quickly a roster can change, for better or worse.
- Reser Stadium Atmosphere: Even with a struggling team, 27,735 people showed up. That's a testament to Beaver Nation.
If you’re a fan of either team, keep an eye on the recruiting trails. Lafayette is pulling in some serious talent from the Northeast, and Oregon State is currently rebuilding its identity in the shifting landscape of college football.
To track how these teams are shaping up for the next season, start by looking at the spring game rosters. Watch for Lafayette’s development of young wideouts like Matthew Scerbo—he's going to be a problem for the Patriot League. For the Beavers, the focus is entirely on the defensive line depth; they can't afford to get pushed around by FCS lines like they did in that first half ever again.
Check the official team sites for the latest scholarship offers and spring practice schedules to see who is moving up the depth chart.