Oregon State looks to lessons of the past in facing Portland State on Saturday
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In a Dec. 24, 2013, file photo Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion looks for an open receiver in the second quarter of the Hawaii Bowl NCAA college football game against Boise State, in Honolulu. The once the soft-spoken and reserved quarterback for the Oregon State has blossomed into a confident full-fledged leader in his senior season for the Beavers. (AP Photo/Eugene Tanner, file) (The Associated Press)
There's no way Oregon State is going to overlook season-opening opponent Portland State. The Beavers have been caught in that trap before, with losses to Eastern Washington last season and Sacramento State to kick off 2011.
Oregon State finished 7-6 last season. Following a stunning 49-46 loss to lower-division Eastern Washington in the opener, the Beavers reeled off six straight wins to become bowl-eligible. But they stumbled down the stretch with a five-game losing streak before a victory over Boise State in the Hawaii Bowl capped the season.
In 2011, the Beavers dropped their opener to the Hornets 29-28 in overtime and finished the season 3-9.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Portland State, which went 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the Big Sky last season, will play two Pac-12 foes this season: the Vikings visit Washington State in Pullman on Sept. 13.