Instant Analysis: Nevada

(AP Photo/Lance Iversen)

Well, I don't really know what to say about that game. The Beavers continue their road troubles with a very discouraging 37-35 loss to Nevada. The 30-7 deficit that the Beavers faced early in the second quarter was too much for them to overcome in the end. There were points were Oregon State looked like indeed the worst power five conference team and there were points where they were in control of the game. But in the end, the Beavers had a chance to win the game with a Jordan Choukair 34 yard field goal that was pushed left. Personally, I am walking away from this game being disappointed. I thought the Beavers were the much more talented team but didn't play their best football for 60 minutes which is always a tough pill to swallow. But let's take a look at the biggest positives and negatives anyway.

Biggest Positive: Isiah Hodgins and Timmy Hernandez had both of their breakout games in a Beaver uniform. Timmy has had some decent games scoring touchdowns but hasn't had the big yard or reception numbers that he had today. Hernandez ended the day with 11 receptions for 116 yards including an incredible one handed grab on a 40 yard pass from Conor Blount in the third quarter. Hodgins day really came out of nowhere for me. As a highly touted recruit, Hodgins has had high expectations in his time as a Beaver and although he's played fine throughout his career, today was an incredible performance that will hopefully carry over to the rest of the games this season. Hodgins finished the game with 14 receptions for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Biggest Negative: It has to be the first half for the Beaver defense. Although the played much better in the second half, their start really put the Beavers in a hole that was hard to climb out of. Nevada scored on their first 4 offensive drives with three touchdowns and a field goal. They led 23-7 early in the second quarter when Conor Blount fumbled the ball after being sack and a Nevada defender picked it up and ran it in for six. The defense would step up and not give up points again until the 11:40 mark in the fourth quarter but it was too little too late. The second half turnaround by the defense does help me feel a little better about them going forward though.

Biggest Surprise: Although I have Isaiah Hodgins as one of my biggest positives, I think I have to put him as my biggest surprise as well. Like I said earlier, Hodgins has had high expectations to perform ever since he stepped on campus last year but he hadn't had a dominant game at all until today. He matched his touchdown scoring total for his career (2) in this game alone giving in four career scores under his belt. He showed good route running along with some good hand catches as well as some play with his feet after the catch which he is not known for doing. Hopefully Hodgins uses this momentum to help carry this performance into the weeks coming.

Oregon State opens up PAC 12 play next week with a home game against Arizona who is also struggling pretty bad right now. It seems that the game next week will be played by the two worst teams in the conference, so I'm curious to see if Oregon State is able to hold their own against them. I guess only time will tell.