The Oregon State Beavers faced a challenging contest at the Sun Bowl Stadium, concluding with an 8-40 defeat against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Beavers' season record now stands at 8-5, while the Fighting Irish improved to 10-3. Despite a valiant effort, the Beavers were unable to match their opponents' intensity throughout the game.

Dec 5, 2020; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oregon State Beavers quarterback Chance Nolan (10) warms up prior to their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

The Beavers' offense struggled to gain traction against a formidable Notre Dame defense. With only 197 total yards compared to Notre Dame's dominant performance, it was clear that Oregon State had difficulty finding their rhythm. The passing game managed 195 yards with a completion percentage of 61 percent and one touchdown pass that covered 33 yards – the longest for the team in this matchup.

On defense, Oregon State showed some resilience with two sacks and eight tackles for loss totaling 29 negative yards against their opponents. They also forced one fumble but could not capitalize on it for additional points. However, these efforts were overshadowed by an opposing offense that seemed unstoppable at times.

Special teams had a mixed day; while punting was effective with an average of 46 yards across four attempts and two landing inside the opponent's twenty-yard line, there were no field goal attempts made by Oregon State during this encounter.

One bright spot for Beaver fans was a successful fourth-down conversion attempt which stood at thirty-three percent success rate from three tries – showing some flashes of strategic risk-taking that could have turned momentum in favor of Oregon State if paired with more consistent offensive drives.

As fans look forward to future games, they can take solace in knowing that every game is an opportunity for growth and improvement. The next broadcast will feature another chance for the Beavers to showcase their skills and determination as they continue striving towards victory on the gridiron.

Oregon State Beavers - NCAA Football - Recap

Sun Bowl Eclipse: Oregon State Beavers Overshadowed by Notre Dame's Radiance