If you were watching college football on November 16, 2024, you probably saw something that felt a bit like a fever dream. The Oregon State Beavers football vs Air Force Falcons football game wasn't just a lopsided affair; it was a total tactical demolition. Air Force didn't just win. They threw a 28-0 shutout at a Beavers team that, honestly, looked like they were stuck in the Colorado mud from the first snap.
It was a weird vibe at Falcon Stadium that day. Cold. Thin air. And a triple-option offense that felt like a slow-motion car crash for the Oregon State defense. You’ve probably seen the stats by now, but they still don't feel real. Air Force held the ball for nearly 42 minutes. 42 minutes! That leaves about 18 minutes for Oregon State to do... well, anything.
They did nothing.
The Day the Beavers Hit a Wall in the Springs
Oregon State came into that November 2024 matchup as a slight favorite, at least according to some of the Vegas sharps. People thought the Beavers' size would eventually wear down the Academy kids. They were wrong. Basically, Air Force took the "power" out of the Power conference representative.
Quentin Hayes, the Falcons' quarterback, didn't need to throw the ball much. Why would he? He was too busy carving up the middle of the field. He finished with 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but his real impact was the way he manipulated the clock. Every time Oregon State's offense sat on the sidelines, you could see the rhythm just evaporating.
What went wrong for Oregon State?
- Time of Possession: As mentioned, 41:56 for Air Force vs 18:04 for OSU. You can't win if you don't have the ball.
- The Ground Game: Air Force out-rushed the Beavers 270 to 69.
- Third Down Disasters: Oregon State went 2-for-10 on third downs. Air Force went 8-for-12.
Gabarri Johnson had a rough afternoon under center for the Beavers. He finished with 106 yards passing and an interception. The most telling stat? Oregon State barely touched the Falcons' side of the field until the game was already decided in the fourth quarter. It was a clinic in discipline.
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Why the Oregon State vs Air Force Rivalry is Getting Real
Historically, these two teams haven't seen each other much. In fact, before that 2024 meeting, you had to go back decades to find a relevant box score. But the landscape of college football has shifted so much that this game is no longer just a "one-off" non-conference filler.
With the Pac-12 basically rebuilding itself from the ground up, the Beavers have spent 2024 and 2025 operating in a sort of scheduling limbo. They've played a lot of Mountain West teams. They've had to adapt to different styles of play. For fans, it's been a rollercoaster. One week you're playing Oregon in a rivalry game that feels like a funeral for the old Pac-12, and the next you're at 6,000 feet elevation trying to figure out which Falcon has the football.
Air Force has always been the "great equalizer." They don't have the 5-star recruits that Oregon State occasionally pulls in. They don't have the NIL collective money that the big schools use to lure transfers. What they have is a system. And on that day in November 2024, the system worked perfectly.
The 2025 Context
As we look at the Oregon State Beavers football vs Air Force Falcons football dynamic in 2025 and 2026, things are changing. Oregon State is rebuilding their coaching staff and trying to keep their roster intact while the "new" Pac-12 prepares to launch in 2026.
For Air Force, 2025 was a bit of a bridge year. They finished 4-8 overall, proving that even the most disciplined systems can have "down" years when the talent cycle resets. But the lesson from the Oregon State game remains: never underestimate a service academy when they have time to prepare for a "bigger" brand.
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Tactical Breakdown: The Triple Option vs The Modern Spread
Most people think the triple option is dead. It's not. It just evolved. When you watch Air Force, you see a lot of "heavy" looks, but it’s the misdirection that kills you.
Against Oregon State, the Falcons used Dylan Carson (who had 97 yards) as a hammer. Once the Beavers started crashing the middle to stop Carson, Hayes would pull the ball and bounce it outside. It sounds simple. It is simple. But it's nearly impossible to simulate in practice with a scout team.
Oregon State tries to play a much more "pro-style" or balanced spread. They want to get guys like Trent Walker out in space. But in the 2024 game, the Beavers were constantly behind the chains. If you're 2nd and 11 against Air Force, you've already lost the drive. The Falcons' defense, led by guys like Camby Goff, just pinned their ears back and made life miserable for the OSU offensive line.
What the Future Holds for This Matchup
The "new" Pac-12 is coming in 2026. We know Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State are making the jump. Air Force, for now, remains a cornerstone of the Mountain West. This means that future games between Oregon State and Air Force will likely be marquee non-conference matchups.
For Oregon State fans, the 2024 shutout is a scar. It’s the kind of game that coaches use as "bulletin board material" for years. You don't forget getting zeroed out at an academy.
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If you're looking for actionable ways to follow this matchup or similar games in the future, here's what you need to track:
- Watch the Red Zone Stats: Air Force was 4-for-6 in the red zone during their last meeting. If you can't hold them to field goals, you're done.
- Altitude Training: Keep an eye on how Oregon State schedules their travel for games in Colorado or Utah. The 2024 game showed they clearly struggled with the "gasping for air" factor in the second half.
- Recruiting Styles: Oregon State is leaning heavily into the transfer portal to survive the conference realignment. Air Force... isn't. Seeing these two philosophies clash is the best part of the game.
Honestly, the Oregon State Beavers football vs Air Force Falcons football game is a microcosm of why we love college sports. It’s not always about the biggest stadium or the loudest music. Sometimes, it’s just about a team from Corvallis going up a mountain and realizing that discipline and a 1970s-style offense can still ruin your whole weekend.
Keep an eye on the 2026 schedules as the Pac-12 expansion finalizes. While the "civil war" against the Ducks gets the headlines, these physical, gritty games against the service academies are where teams find out who they really are.
Monitor the official Pac-12 and Mountain West schedule releases in mid-January 2026 to see when the next chapter of this physical rivalry will be written. Check the injury reports at least 48 hours before kickoff, especially for Oregon State's offensive line, as their depth has been the deciding factor in high-altitude road trips. Finally, if you're attending a game at Falcon Stadium, arrive at least two hours early to catch the flyover—it's arguably the best tradition in all of college sports.