Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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28 JANUARY 2024 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BOWL PREVIEW: OREGON STATE not play in the Sun Bowl, either. Despite so many absences, especially the one at quarterback, Freeman is not concerned with the difficulty of scout- ing a team with so many unknowns. "I think concepts are concepts," Freeman said. "You look at personnel to know who you're going against and what are their strengths and weak- nesses. But concepts are still concepts as you prepare for opponents. "So, there will be some challenges not knowing exactly, maybe if there's not a lot of film of a certain individual playing in the game at that position. But again, your game plan is mostly with concepts. That's something we'll continue to do." Oregon State's biggest loss is Smith, who spent much of his life in Corval- lis, Ore. He played at Oregon State, pi- loting the Beavers to an 11-1 season in 2000 and a 2001 Fiesta Bowl win as their starting quarterback. He started his coaching career at Oregon State as a graduate assistant. He coached the Beavers for six seasons, bringing them back to national relevance with a 10-3 season in 2022 and an 8-4 season in 2023. Still, Oregon State is in conference limbo after the breakup of the Pac-12. When Michigan State came calling, Smith couldn't say no. "There was a lot to like [about the Michigan State job]," Smith said, ac- cording to the Detroit Free Press. "Put some thought into it as the process went on. I just felt the fit was great in regards to what I value, in regards to this community, this fan base, a pro- gram of substance." Sophomore tight end Jack Velling, who led the Beavers with 8 touchdown receptions during the 2023 regular season, is one of several Beavers who won't suit up against the Irish in the Sun Bowl. PHOTO COURTESY OREGON STATE ATHLETICS 2023 OREGON STATE SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time (ET) Sept. 3 at San José State W, 42-17 Sept. 9 UC Davis W, 55-7 Sept. 16 San Diego State W, 26-9 Sept. 23 at Washington State L, 38-35 Sept. 29 Utah W, 21-7 Oct. 7 at California W, 52-40 Oct. 14 UCLA W, 36-24 Oct. 28 at Arizona L, 27-24 Nov. 4 at Colorado W, 26-19 Nov. 11 Stanford W, 62-17 Nov. 18 Washington L, 22-20 Nov. 24 at Oregon L, 31-7 Dec. 29 vs. Notre Dame* (CBS) 2 p.m. * Sun Bowl at El Paso, Texas 2023 NOTRE DAME SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time (ET) Aug. 26 vs. Navy* W, 42-3 Sept. 2 Tennessee State W, 56-3 Sept. 9 at NC State W, 45-24 Sept. 16 Central Michigan W, 41-17 Sept. 23 Ohio State L, 17-14 Sept. 30 at Duke W, 21-14 Oct. 7 at Louisville L, 33-20 Oct. 14 USC W, 48-20 Oct. 28 Pittsburgh W, 58-7 Nov. 4 at Clemson L, 31-23 Nov. 18 Wake Forest W, 45-7 Nov. 25 at Stanford W, 56-23 Dec. 29 vs. Oregon State^ (CBS) 2 p.m. * at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland ^ Sun Bowl at El Paso, Texas