Oregon State opened one of the most anticipated seasons in program history with a dominant performance.

The 18th-ranked Beavers came out and showed right away why they opened the year in the AP Top 25, why they’re viewed as a darkhorse Pac-12 title threat, and why they’re one of the most terrifying teams in the Pac-12 this fall. They’re for real.

Behind a brilliant debut from Clemson transfer quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon State blasted San Jose State 42-17.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

One play to explain it all

DJ Uiagalelei to Oregon State, in a way, was a wild transfer portal move. Oregon State getting a top-flight, former 5-star recruit? Are you kidding? And he played quarterback? The Beavers aren’t supposed to even be in the hunt for players like that.

But oh my word does it make all the sense in the world.

And that was clear as day on a third-and-15 from the San Jose State 31 in the third quarter Sunday.

During the second half, the broadcast crew for CBS touched on Uiagalelei’s transfer. They seemed incredulous talking about the standard at Clemson and considering the thought that Uiagalelei — the 6-foot-5 quarterback with a cannon arm who went 22-6 as a starter for the Tigers — somehow didn’t live up to that standard.

Clemson was ready to move on to the next guy. Fans always love the backup. Uiagalelei seemed ready for a fresh start as well.

At Oregon State, he has a perfect spot.

If the Beavers are going to protect him like that, Uiagalelei will be exactly what coach Jonathan Smith needed.

In his Beaver debut, Uiagalelei finished 20-for-25 passing for 239 yards and three touchdowns. He also added two rushing scores on the ground. Before this season, Uiagalelei only had three career games with at least three passing touchdowns. His Oregon State debut also becomes just his second career five-touchdown game.

Uiagalelei has a rocket arm. With 6:10 in the third quarter and Oregon State in control of the game, but not exactly completely out of reach of San Jose State, Uiagalelei was given all the time in the world to throw and fired a frozen rope over 45 yards through the air to a wide-open Jeremiah Noga.

The first-year Oregon State quarterback missed a couple. He took a sack. But when it was working, it was plainly clear why Uiagalelei chose the Beavers.

Behind that offensive line? This could work real well.

Comparison time

Thanks to Week 0, we have the benefit of being able to compare Oregon State’s defensive performance against USC’s defensive performance a week ago.

Against the Trojans, San Jose State had 198 rushing yards. Quarterback Chevan Cordeiro caused the Trojans problems with his legs.

Against the Beavers, San Jose State had 56 rushing yards. Cordeiro did nothing in the ground game.

The Beavers came up with three sacks and five tackles for loss. They held the Spartans to 4-for-13 on third downs. They held the Spartans to 3.9 yards on first-down plays.

There were questions coming in about Oregon State’s secondary after multiple long-time contributors went off to the NFL. You want to temper expectations — San Jose State isn’t exactly going to present the same kinds of issues that Oregon or Washington or USC will — but the first test was passed. Cordeiro was 18-for-32 for just 143 yards through the air before his day was called.

Everything was a struggle for San Jose State. They had just two pass plays that covered at least 20 yards. They had to work for everything they got.

Damien Martinez enjoys the quietest awesome day ever

Oregon State’s all-everything running back had 145 yards on 18 carries to open his sophomore campaign.

And no one will talk about it.

Damien Martinez might be DJ Uiagalelei’s best friend going forward.

When defenses load up to try and shut down Uiagalelei, Martinez is going to feast. When defenses try to take away the big, bruising back, offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren is going to be able to do some fun stuff with his quarterback.

Don’t forget about Martinez in all the DJ U craze.

He might be one of the best backs in the country.