A week after his three-touchdown performance, running back Rayshon Luke gave the Bulldogs another electric performance in a 36-27 victory over the Oregon State University Beavers on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Luke carried the ball 12 times for 86 yards with one touchdown in the Week 2 game. He found the end zone on a 44-yard sprint, his longest carry of the season.
The Bulldog offense has relied heavily on its running backs in the early part of this season. After running for 351 yards against Georgia Southern University, the ‘Dogs came into Corvallis and continued their momentum, running for 197 yards on 28 carries.
The ‘Dogs have yet to get in the endzone via the passing game. All eight of their offensive touchdowns have come on the ground.
With running back Bryson Donelson seeing limited action in the game, Luke’s performance gave the Bulldogs a spark through the first half.
Luke’s effectiveness was not just on the offensive side of the ball. He returned four kickoffs for 101 yards. He had a kickoff return touchdown called back on a holding penalty.
Luke was so effective that the Beavers stopped kicking in Luke’s direction in the second half. It led to short fields for the ‘Dogs.
The field position was key on the final offensive drive for the Bulldogs. It allowed quarterback E.J. Warner to lead the ‘Dogs down the field late for kicker Dylan Lynch to nail the would-be game-winning 43-yard field goal.
Defensive back Jakari Embry picked off Beavers quarterback Maalik Murphy to seal the game in the final seconds.
Embry’s interception came with 22 seconds left in the game. Murphy looked to find a receiver by the sideline, but Embry jumped the route and ran free toward the endzone to seal a crazy Bulldog victory.
He added a pass deflection and two tackles.
Even though the ‘Dogs gave up 488 total yards to the Beavers, the defense did enough to keep the ‘Dogs within striking distance late.
The Bulldogs return home to Valley Children’s Stadium on Sept. 13 to host the Southern University Jaguars. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
