CORVALLIS -- A 46-yard field-goal attempt from a kicker whose name was not even on Portland State's numerical roster hooked wide right, and Oregon State's players began to celebrate.
The Beavers avoided the level of disaster still reserved for the likes of Sacramento State and Eastern Washington, two lower-division foes that pulled early-season upsets against the Beavers in the past decade. They squeaked past Portland State 35-32 in Saturday afternoon's home opener at Reser Stadium to clinch their first victory of 2017.
A win is a win, OSU coach Gary Andersen stressed.
But ...
"Our ability to be able to shoot ourselves in the foot at times in those situations in critical moments is still very, very mind-boggling," Andersen said.