Oregon State linebacker Riley Sharp (56) takes down Stanford quarterback Isaiah Sanders (0) during the second half Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Corvallis. Oregon State won 35-14. {div id=”highlighter--hover-tools” style=”display: none;”} {/div}

CORVALLIS — Oregon State has found a way to some of its best defensive results late in the season.

Two offenses combining to average just under 50 points a game this season in Stanford and Arizona State got a total of 24 against the Beavers.

In two wins, OSU (7-4, 5-3) allowed those teams 230 and 266 yards of total offense, respectively, the two lowest numbers the Beavers have given up in Pac-12 football games this fall. The success coincides with Trent Bray being promoted to defensive coordinator and Tim Tibesar being let go from that position.

Arizona State’s only touchdown last weekend in OSU’s 24-10 victory came off a blocked punt that set up the Sun Devils’ offense at the Beavers’ 4.

“I think we’ve tackled well, affected the passer, not only sacks but affected the passer,” Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith said in his regular press conference to begin the week. “I think taking the ball away over just the last couple weeks, starting with the takeaway early in this game that helped us there.”

The Beavers went four straight games without a sack before getting three against ASU, including one apiece from Avery Roberts and Kitan Oladapo.

OSU had three takeaways (two interceptions and a fumble recovery) versus Stanford before Alex Austin intercepted Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels on the second play of the game.

The Beavers held Daniels, a threat to pass and run, to 166 yards through the air and 46 yards on 10 attempts on the ground.

“I thought for the most part we were effective,” Smith said. “We had a guy for (spying) Jayden most of the night. He got out a couple of times, guys missed some tackles. But overall, looking at points they were able to score, we did a good job.”

The Beavers lost Roberts, an inside linebacker and the team’s leading tackler on the season, to an ankle injury in the first quarter against Arizona State, and his status for the Saturday, Nov. 27, game at No. 11 Oregon (9-2, 6-2) is uncertain.

Stepping up to fill the gap was Kyrei Fisher, who finished with a team-high nine tackles, including half a sack and three quarterback hurries.

“He played well, played physical, made some tackles out there,” Smith said. “I think it showed that he’s been preparing well, not playing a bunch at linebacker because of those guys in front of him. But when he was called upon he was definitely ready and prepared.”

The Beavers have been hit hard with long-term injuries on the defensive side.

Lineman Isaac Hodgins hasn’t played this season due to a foot injury suffered in fall camp. Cornerback Alton Julian has missed the last four games and is expected to be out the rest of the season with a leg injury.

“We’ve got other guys that are ready to step up, and they need to,” Smith said. “I look across the teams in this conference, a lot of guys are down for different teams. You get to the end of the year and that takes place, and depth always matters. Kyrei is a great example. Guys have got to continue to prepare and be ready when they’re called upon.”