Jonathan Smith, have a day.

Let’s see:

  • Huge bowl win against an SEC blue blood
  • First 10-win season for Oregon State since 2006 and just third ever
  • Two three-point losses to USC and Washington away from 12-1
  • Earned huge loyalty points giving Tristan Gebbia some run

By (almost) every metric, this has been a terrific season for the Beavers, but it got even better on Saturday in a 30-3 Las Vegas Bowl win over Florida. Oregon State’s offense was crisp and efficient and looked as good as it has all year under Ben Gulbranson. But the defense really shined against the Gators and backup quarterback Jack Miller III, the once-vaunted Ohio State transfer.

If not for a shoulder injury suffered by special freshman running back Damien Martinez, it would’ve been as good a day as you can legally have in Vegas. I hope Smith hits up a slot machine.

“It means a ton,” Smith told ESPN after the game. “I couldn’t be more proud of these players. They took the lead from me, all the way back in August, Fall camp, they wanted to be player-led, run the thing, and they’ve played together throughout the whole season back and forth. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”

Here are three takeaways from the Beavers’ big day.

Oregon State defense demoralizes Gators

Miller’s shoulders were drooped so low late in the game, it was like someone had kicked his puppy dog. Even after nearly converting a third down in OSU territory, coming up just 2 yards short to set up Florida’s best scoring opportunity to avoid a shutout, he slumped. When running back Montrell Johnson Jr. was stuffed on the next play for a 3-yard loss, ending the Gator threat, Miller trudged off the field. Florida later hit a field goal to save face as the Beavers nearly pitched the first shutout in Las Vegas Bowl history and their third bowl shutout (1962 Liberty Bowl, 6-0 over Villanova; 2008 Sun Bowl, 3-0 over Pitt).

Even more impressive than the final margin was the level of overall domination. Florida had fewer than 100 yards and just 6 first downs until late in the fourth quarter, finishing with 219 and 13, respectively. And the once-mighty Gators looked nothing like a competitive SEC team.

Oregon State absolutely owned the line of scrimmage, allowing just 39 rushing yards on 33 carries, including just 28 combined yards by running backs Trevor Etienne and Johnson.

“(The defense) flew around,” Smith said after the game. “Aggressive, wanted to make the thing physical, wanted to take away the run, they did all of that. That’s a good offense — schematically, they’ve got some good athletes, some weapons, the O-line is good. Good effort from the defense.”

Did Gulbranson lock up the gig?

Ben Gulbranson may have sealed his hold on the starting quarterback position heading into next season with an impressive performance. Once again, Gulbranson did not have overwhelming statistics, but he finished 12-of-19 passing for 165 yards and a touchdown while adding a rushing touchdown as well.

The win improved Gulbranson to 7-1 as a starter this season, something that on its own should install him as the returning starter. But wins over Oregon and on Saturday convincing fashion should be enough to make Smith know he should build around Gulbranson instead of using the transfer portal for an upgrade.

Where does this leave Martinez?

Oregon State’s terrific running back Damien Martinez suffered a shoulder injury early in the game and watched his streak of 5 consecutive 100-yard games come to an end. He also watched 1-time starter Deshaun Fenwick rush for 107 yards on 20 carries.

Smith — and the Oregon State Dam Nation NIL collective — is trying his best to keep Martinez in Corvallis, but a bowl game injury is a bummer. Fenwick proved the Beavers are in a good position in the backfield even if Martinez heads somewhere else.