Trent Bray Rips Special Teams After Calamitous Punt in Oregon State's 36-27 Loss to Fresno State
Muffed snap and 42-yard return before halftime shift momentum as Beavers drop to 0-2
Oregon State coach Trent Bray sharply criticized his special teams unit after a botched punt snap helped swing momentum in Fresno State’s 36-27 victory Saturday at Reser Stadium.
Punter AJ Winsor mishandled the snap in the second quarter and kicked the ball as it dribbled across the field. Fresno State returner Jaden Carrillo recovered the bouncing ball and took it 42 yards for a touchdown with under a minute remaining in the first half, giving the Bulldogs a 20-15 lead.
Bray, who was seen visibly upset as he walked toward the locker room, told reporters the team had created opportunities for the opponent by its own mistakes. “We’re fine. We’ve allowed ourselves to create their success,” Bray said, according to video captured by The CW’s Nigel Burton. “Both in special teams, f---ing joke, and in big plays on defense. Two long runs for touchdowns that shouldn’t exist. They did nothing to harm us. We gotta stop killing ourselves.”
Oregon State mounted an 18-play, 11-minute drive in the third quarter to take a one-point lead, but the Beavers faltered on their next two possessions, turning the ball over on downs on one and missing a field goal on another. The Beavers scored again with 1:14 remaining in the game, but Fresno State responded with a field goal on the following drive. Oregon State’s final possession ended on an interception by Fresno State defensive back Jakari Embry, sealing the Bulldogs’ win.
Fresno State scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to overcome Oregon State and improve to 2-1 on the season. The Beavers dropped to 0-2.
Oregon State’s special teams miscues and breakdowns on big defensive plays were a recurring theme in Bray’s postgame comments. The coach singled out both units for errors that directly produced points for the opponent and hindered the Beavers’ ability to control field position and tempo.
The game marked an early-season setback for Oregon State as the program looks to stabilize after a pair of losses. Fresno State’s late surge underscored the Bulldogs’ ability to capitalize on opponent errors and execute in high-leverage moments. Coach Bray and his staff will face scrutiny this week as they address the special teams execution that contributed to a momentum-shifting score and ultimately the outcome of the game.
The teams meet again later this season as part of their respective Pac-12 schedules, and both coaches will have time to adjust schemes and personnel ahead of conference play. For now, the loss leaves Oregon State searching for answers after a game that Bray said his team largely handed to Fresno State through avoidable mistakes.