CORVALLIS — Cornerbacks coach Cory Hall can identify several "aha!" moments for Oregon State's secondary throughout the season.
Like in the Idaho State game, when Treston Decoud and Brandon Arnold correctly read routes to snag their first interceptions of the season. Or against California, when the Beavers understood what types of plays the Golden Bears would run on first-and-10 or third-and-5.
Those breakthrough moments have turned into routine, helping create a pass defense that has arguably been OSU's most pleasant surprise of the first half of the season. The Beavers rank 20th nationally with 179.5 yards allowed per game against a slate that includes matchups against Boise State's Brett Rypien, Colorado's Steven Montez and Cal's Davis Webb.