CORVALLIS — The Oregon State Beavers continue their scorching start through the conference slate of the season with a 48-30 homecoming victory over the rival Washington State Cougars on Saturday, Oct. 17 in Corvallis, Ore.

The Beavers lived up to the billing as the top passing team in the nation. OSU quarterback Braden Atkinson completed 23-of-38 passes for 347 yards and touchdowns. The sophomore, who arrived at Corvallis after a season at Mercer, has thrown for 2,257 yards and 21 touchdowns through seven games this season, which leads the nation.

In his first NCAA start, WSU freshman Owen Eshelman threw for 289 yards and rushed for 149 yards with three total touchdowns. Branden Ganashamoorthy led the Cougars in receiving with 11 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown.

The Beavers punched through with a goal-line touchdown run by fullback Jake Reichle and scored again on a deep touchdown pass from Atkinson to Jessee Legree for 90 yards. OSU led 17-0 in the first quarter after a field goal.

The Cougars found the board in the second quarter with a 19-yard field goal by Jack Stevens.

The Beavers struck again with Caleb Ojeda’s second field goal and a quick pass to running back AJ Newberry, who turned on the burners for 88 yards and a touchdown. Newberry finished the game with 120 receiving yards and 105 rushing yards.

Eshelman connected with Ganashamoorthy for a 40-yard touchdown pass to go into halftime trailing the Beavers 27-10.

The Beavers opened the second half with another touchdown pass from Atkinson to Legree to go up 34-10 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter. Legree finished the game with eight catches and 108 receiving yards.

Julian Dugger ran on a quarterback keeper and scored a three-yard touchdown run with 4:15 remaining in the third quarter.

Reichle plowed his way through the goal line again to extend Oregon State’s lead to 41-16 entering the fourth quarter.

The Cougars added two more touchdowns to pull within 11 points of the Beavers. Eshelman threw a six-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Blood and rushed for a 20-yard score to make it a 41-30 game with 1:37 remaining.

After a failed onside kick attempt. The Beavers scored one more time on a 16-yard run by Cornell Hatcher Jr.

The Beavers (5-2, 3-0) opened the season with back-to-back losses against ranked Houston and Texas Tech but have since won five straight in convincing fashion and are in first place in the PAC-12 standings with a 3-0 conference record.

The Cougars dropped to 1-6, with their only win coming against FCS member Duquesne. WSU (0-3) sits in last place with Colorado State but seems to have found its quarterback of the future.

Washington State will host No. 23 Boise State while Oregon State will enjoy a bye week.