Oregon State to be without tight end Luke Musgrave for Montana State game
Oregon State tight end Luke Musgrave will be unavailable on Saturday when the Beavers host Montana State in Portland.
Coach Jonathan Smith told reporters on Monday the fourth-year pass-catcher is dealing with an injury that will keep him out of the game. Musgrave was hurt late in the Fresno State game. Smith also said running back Trey Lowe will also miss the game.
“You will not see him this week,” Smith said. “Hopeful to get him back in a few weeks, but not this week. Trey Lowe, same way. Trey Lowe aggravated (an injury) on Tuesday, so he might be a week or two away as well. You won’t see Trey or Luke this week.”
The 6-foot-6 Musgrave has been a primary target for quarterback Chance Nolan through two weeks.
He caught six of his seven targets in the season-opener against Boise State, producing 89 yards and a touchdown. Then, against Fresno State, Musgrave followed things up with five receptions for 80 yards. His 15 targets through the first two weeks are the most of any player on the team — one more than wideout Tre’Shaun Harrison.
It’s a big-time threat that Oregon State will be without. Musgrave has six catches of at least 10 yards so far this year, the third-best mark in the Pac-12. His four receptions of 20 yards or more are tied with Arizona’s Jacob Cowing and USC’s Jordan Addison for the most in the league.
“He’s a good player,” Smith said. “He’s gonna be missed for a game. Made some big-time plays for us. But I do think we have some other weapons. I told the team yesterday, it’s getting into Week 2, 3, it’s college football, it’s next man up. We’ve got weapons out there and in the backfield to throw it to. We’ve got some good tight ends in that room. We’re just gonna have to adjust.”
Lowe ran the ball seven times for 32 yards in the team’s opener. He did not play against Fresno State. Deshaun Fenwick and Damien Martinez handled the bulk of the backfield load.
With Musgrave unavailable, look for J.T. Byrne, Gabe Milbourn, or Jack Velling to step into a bigger role. The Beavers play Montana State at 5 p.m. PT on Saturday in Portland’s Providence Park.