No Father's Son

[redsox907]

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Weight of a Promise

Maybe it was the fact we played the Oregon Ducks tight. Or maybe, it was the two-game winning streak after, but it felt like we’d finally hit our stride. That is until a rain-soaked nigh at Reser Stadium, when the Dam finally broke between the downpour of rain and the physicality of the Fresno State Bulldogs.

We’d held our own in the first half, despite our offense doing us little favors, but an interception midway through the third quarter gave the Bulldogs spectacular field position again, and this time we weren’t able to hold them to a field goal. The 9-3 game quickly became 16-3, and the floodgates opened. To make matters worse, in my mind, our offense finally shoved themselves out of neutral, only for us to stray from the path. Suddenly, the defense that had stood as tall as the Hoover Dam was springing leaks all over the place. Missed tackles, bad angles, it looked like they’d taken the last three months of practice and thrown it out the window. 30-24 was the final. Twice, we had an opportunity to stop the Bulldogs offense, give our own the ball back with a chance to tie it. And twice, we let them march the length of the field for a touchdown.

I wasn’t just upset that we’d lost a game we had no business losing, but I was embarrassed. I’d tricked myself, more than my team, that we had the bravado and the swagger to take care of business. As I turned and faced the student section as we walked off the field, I saw the dejected faces in the crowd. Fans that had bought into the hype I’d sold, just to watch us fold.

It turns out the team wasn’t the only one not prepared that night. When a reporter asked about our lackluster 2-3 record at home, the image of the dejected fans rushed to the forefront. The words were out of my mouth before they’d formed a thought:

“If we don’t win on senior night, I will personally reimburse every single season ticket holder.”

It wasn’t something I put any forethought into. It just happened. For a coach that prided himself on being prepared for every situation, I left myself blindsided by the bold declaration. It wasn’t like we were playing FCS Montana again on Senior Night. It was the Boise State Broncos, a team that ran their former conference, the Mountain West, for years and had a playoff berth two years ago.

The drive home had my mind racing. We fell apart against Fresno State, how did I foolishly think I could guarantee a win against Boise? Believing we have the ability to win is one thing, but guaranteeing it? That’s begging for criticism, for the other team to come in with a chip on their shoulder just to shut you up.

When I got home, Jessica and the kids were already in bed. Sunday may be for family, but there was no rule against Saturday night blurring into Sunday morning. At least not yet.

Still grasping how my pride conned me into a foolhardy guarantee, I retreated to my office with the hopes of at least starting to work on the game plan for Colorado State. After all, if we didn’t beat Colorado State, a win against Boise would mean nothing.

15,814 was written in bold print on the giant whiteboard on my wall. Below it, $312 in the same bold print, triple underlined.

“You got some cartel money stashed away somewhere, Flyboy?” Jessica mockingly stated as she slid her arms over my shoulders. “‘Cause I haven’t double checked the math but that’s-“

“About five-million dollars,” I confirmed, cutting off Jessica mid-sentence.

I slumped into my office chair, still staring dumbfounded at the number. It must have been the effect Jessica was hoping for, because she stayed anchored to the doorframe, letting the bold numbers on the board work the guilt into my consciousness.

“I kinda fucked up,” I finally sighed, spinning the chair to face her again. She offered a small shrug that said it wasn’t for her to judge, letting me suffer in guilt for a moment longer. When she’d finally felt I’d been punished enough, she slid herself into my lap, wrapping her arms behind my back as she straddled the chair.

“Only if you lose,” she whispered through a kiss. “If there’s anyone that can get the job done, it’s you, babe.” Before I could return the kiss, AJ’s cries came echoing down the hallway.

“He’s been teething, if he doesn’t chew on his frozen banana biter every hour he has a fit,” she half-laughed, half-sighed as she rose from my lap, despite my protests.

“I mean it,” she called back over her shoulder, “I believe in you, Armando.”

“But” she quickly added, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she turned with a pointed finger, “If you’ve got to pony up the dough? You better figure it out, ‘cause if you ask me to sell my wedding ring to fund your silly prideful boast? You’ll need a new wife too.”

She held the finger accusingly at me for another moment, before blowing a kiss with the same finger and disappearing into the hallway.

We’d trained like hell the next week, not because of the guarantee, but because we needed the win. Colorado State was on our asses in the conference and if we didn’t come up big in Fort Collins? Five-million dollars wouldn’t buy us a seat in the Conference Championship Game, let alone pay off the disgruntled fans.

48-14 glowed on the scoreboard in Canvas Stadium. A testament to the work we’d put in all week. On the plane ride back to Corvallis, Coach Smith seated himself next to me.

“Time for the real challenge, Armando. You ready?”

Eye contact and a stoic head nod was all Coach got from me, before I turned back to my laptop, Boise State’s last loss to Texas State already playing, with a legal pad full of notes already two pages deep.

“That’s what I wanted to see,” Coach said, clapping me on the shoulder as he walked past.

When I got home that night, three hours later than planned after an impromptu stop at the facility, there was a giant banner hanging in the living room.

“BEAT BOISE” it read, in bold orange and black lettering. Jessica had stayed up, despite two different messages stating I’d be home late, to ensure I saw it.

The Leon family was standing on business all week. Jessica even waived the “no-football on Sunday” rule, “only because I like my designer bags,” she pouted, but with a quiet acknowledgement behind the surface.

The game wasn’t just about my guarantee, it was about legacy. Two seasons ago, there were whispers Oregon State football wasn’t going to survive, that they’d be forced into Independence, or even a move to the FCS, after the mass exodus for the ACC and Big Ten. But two years later, the conference was rebuilt, and who was prepared to reign supreme?

The Oregon State Beavers. One win and we go from the team that almost never was, to the team that defied the odds.

Standing in the tunnel, hearing the PA announcer introduce the senior class one-by-one, the reality of the moment hit me. This was it, for all the marbles. I’d coached in two FCS Championship Games, six different playoff games, had braved Autzen Stadium as an FCS defensive coordinator, but none of those moments measured up to this.

As the seniors returned to the tunnel, ready to run onto the field with the team - a nuance they’d insisted themselves - MLB Jalen Woods swatted me on the chest.

“C’mon, Coach! Hype me UP!” he yelled, barreling into me for a chest bump that caught me slightly off-guard, still lost in the magnitutde of the moment. The bump knocked me back to reality and I quickly returned it, smacking his helmet for good measure.

“Let’s go show those Baby Blue Broncos we stand on business in Corvallis,” he yelled, before rallying the rest of the defense around him. “I don’t know if you saw ‘em out there, already pissing down the leg,” he continued, meeting each defensive stalwart with an intense stare before moving to the next.

“It’s time to snatch some chains boys, show them who’s really made for cuban links.

“But more importantly,” he added, pulling me back into the middle of the huddle, “This man right here put his money on the line, because he believed in us. He may have written the check, but it’s time for us to cash that bitch!”

I let the team’s anticipation swell into a near crescendo before I held my clipboard into the air, signaling quiet.

“This game isn’t about my guarantee,” I began, pacing a slow circle in the middle of the circle of human bodies. “It’s about statements. We believed, before anyone else in the country did. You all saw the preseason projections. No one had us winning more than three games. No one had us in this moment, ready to punk Boise State, and claim a seat in the Conference Championship.

“But more importantly, they believed,” I nearly screamed, pointing my clipboard down the tunnel where 35,548 people anxiously awaited our arrival. “Don’t do it for me, hell don’t even do it for yourself.

“Do it for the logo on your chest,” I yelled, unaware that I was screaming at this point, pounding my chest over the Oregon State logo on my button-up, “and do it for the fans who never gave up on Oregon State football!”

And with that, we stormed the field. Win or lose, we weren’t going to disappear into the night.

[djp73]

Armando about to be homeless?

[Soapy]

no Hardy makes it easier

[Caesar]

Armando talking cash money shit for a coach with a lackluster resume huh?

[ShireNiner]

To be honest- I want you to lose now. Go homeless, full Caesar route of whoring your wife out to make ends meet. Then the comeback story.

[redsox907]

Armando about to be homeless?

Nah, we got that cartel blood. we'd hustle our way up if we had too

no Hardy makes it easier

ngl, doing the pre-game write up I was like

I couldn't have chosen a team with less playmakers?? lmao

Armando talking cash money shit for a coach with a lackluster resume huh?

hey. 7-3 with a top 50 defense after the team went 7-17 the year before is a solid resume. Plus two FCS Championships in two years

sometimes you gotta talk the talk before you walk the walk

To be honest- I want you to lose now. Go homeless, full Caesar route of whoring your wife out to make ends meet. Then the comeback story.

Whoring out the wholesome family woman Jessica!? shame on you

[redsox907]

---

Beavers' Clutch 4th-Quarter Cashes Leon's Check

---

Ricky McKinley // Dam Daily • Published: November 21st. 2026

The 2022 comeback over Oregon in the Civil War—where the Beavs overcame a 21-point deficit to stun #9 Oregon—is likely still the program's biggest win since the 2001 Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame. But I'll be damned if tonight's game isn't 2nd.

21 4th-quarter points, a defensive stand to keep the Broncos to a field goal, and a kickoff return hit that will echo through Reser Stadium for the rest of the season propelled the Beavers to a 31-20 victory over Pac-12 foe Boise State, punching the Beaver's ticket to the first championship in the new-look Pac-12.

It's a startling turnaround for a program that was once left wondering if they'd even compete at the FBS level in the future after the mass exodus from the conference before 2024. Now, they triumphantly stand atop the mountain, if only for a season.

Leading the charge is none other than first-year defensive coordinator Armando Leon, who sparked controversy with a guarantee to beat Boise State two weeks ago, but now looks almost prophetic in the aftermath. The question now isn't if Leon can help the Beavers win, but simply: how long will he do it for?

At the onset of the showdown, it didn't appear the Beavers would be able to make good on their coach's guarantee. Oregon State's opening drive was a meager three-and-out, gifting the Broncos great field position for their first drive at the 41-yard line. A quick 12-yard out to Chris Marshall opened the drive for Maddux Madsen as the Broncos looked poised to cash in on the short field. When Jordan Washington turned the corner on a 15-yard scamper, it looked like Boise was just a touch more athletic than our Beavers.

But defensive end Kelze Howard never gave up on the play, hustling back on the run to strip Washington from behind 15 yards downfield as Kyle Chen scooped the fumble just inches before it rolled out of bounds. Just like that, Boise State had two first downs in just two plays, with nothing to show for it.

Oregon State would rally for a 44-yard field goal, striking first blood. Both teams would exchange defensive stands, with Ka'eo Akana tallying his first of three sacks of the day, before Jordan Washington redeemed his fumble with a 49-yard run to set up his own 3-yard touchdown. 7-3, Boise State.

Zachary Card sparked the Beavers on the ensuing kickoff, chewing up 42 yards on the return to set the OSU offense in perfect position to strike back. Kallen Gutridge took full advantage of the short field, retaking the lead with a 3-yard strike to Jackson Bowers, 10-7 Oregon State.

After another pair of defensive stands, with Akana's 2nd sack, it appeared the 10-7 score would hold until the half. Maddux Madsen had other plans, going 4/6 for 59 yards in a picture-perfect drive in the final minute for Colton Boomer to boom the 37-yard field goal, sending the game to the half tied at 10.

Boise State came out of the half looking to put the Beavers away for good, dialing up a play-action shot on 1st & 10 that Madsen lofted perfectly to an outstretched Chris Marshall for a 49-yard reception to flip the field before some Oregon State fans had retaken their seats. Marshall then hauled in a 28-yard post route, splitting both Kodi DeCambra and Kyle Chen before being dragged down at the 2-yard line. Jordan Washington would try to penetrate the Dam twice, losing a yard each time, before the Broncos put the ball back in Madsen's hands on 3rd-and-Goal from the 4. As multiple Beaver defenders collapsed the pocket, Madsen climbed, then accelerated untouched for the touchdown. Boise State 17-10.

After another punt by the Beavers, it looked like the Broncos were driving for the knockout punch. Sitting at the Oregon State 38 after a 20-yard reception by Gavin Packer and a 10-yard run by Jordan Washington, the Beavers bit back. CB Exodus Ayers swallowed Washington in the backfield, ripping the ball loose for the halfback's second fumble of the game.

Oregon State once again answered after the turnover, chewing up over four minutes of clock before Salahadin Allah slashed in from five yards out for the touchdown to knot the game at 17 to start the 4th quarter.

Madsen once again marched the Broncos down the field in a drive eerily similar to the field goal drive at the end of the 1st half. 3/5 for 68 yards had the Broncos within the 10-yard line. A two-yard run from Washington was followed by a batted pass from CB Sailasa Vadrawale III to force 3rd-and-8. For the third time, Ka'eo Akana came up clutch, dragging Madsen down from behind as the QB prepared to once again run for a touchdown. Colton Boomer would lace the 25-yard field goal to give the Broncos the lead at 20-17.

With just over five minutes remaining, Gutridge and Allah went back to work. Gutridge completed four of six passes on the drive for 33 yards, but the real star was Allah who caught two first-down passes on the drive in addition to five carries for 44 yards. Facing 1st-and-ten just inside the red zone, Allah saw daylight, sprinting for a 19-yard go-ahead touchdown that sent Reser Stadium into a frenzy.

None other than DC Armando Leon greeted Allah as he trotted back to the bench, wrapping the player in a giant bear hug, before turning to rally his defense.

If the touchdown sent Reser Stadium into a frenzy, what followed next could only be described as mania.

Jordan Washington fumbled for the third time on the ensuing kickoff, absorbing a brutal hit from reserve wide receiver Eddie Freauff, who scooped up his own forced fumble as he high-stepped into the end zone for the improbable touchdown.

If there was a roof at Reser Stadium, it would undoubtedly be blown off after the eruption of noise following Freauff's fumble return.

Trailing 31-20 in the span of two plays, the Broncos were clearly shell-shocked. Langden Kitchen buried Madsen for a sack on first down as the QB was desperately looking for a deep heave. Two incompletions later left the Broncos facing 4th-and-16 from their own 27. A final Hail Mary to Chris Marshall was swatted away by CB Noble Thomas and, like that, the celebration was on. Kallen Gutridge knelt the clock out and despite calls for moderation over the PA, the second the clock hit double zero, the 35,000+ fans in attendance stormed the field.


•••


Question One - Olivia LeRusso (Oregonlive): "Coach, congratulations on an incredible win. I know you downplayed the implications of your guarantee before the game, but what are your thoughts now after the fact? In case you didn't know, Oregon State fans are already posting images of your face superimposed over Joe Namath's infamous finger wag."

Armando Leon: "laugh What? That's wild. But that's why college football is the greatest sport in the world—the passion is real. I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish I'd been a little less bullish on my promise, after crunching some numbers with the help of my darling wife. But when push came to shove, not one of the guys on this team blinked. They knew the stakes and were prepared to make a statement. But the real praise goes to the offense and special teams. We kept them down long enough to take the lead, but they're the ones who carried us home. I don't think Eddie Freauff is going to have to buy his own drink in Corvallis for a long time."

Question Two - Sean Muller (The Arbiter): "Coach, despite winning the game your defense did give up the go-ahead field goal with five minutes left. What do you say to detractors who could say it wasn't the defense that won the game, but the offense and special teams?"

Armando Leon: "I mean...I did just credit both of those units not moments ago. But to anyone who wants to continue to push that narrative, more power to 'em. We win as a team and we lose as a team here in Corvallis. End of story."

Question Three - Chip Swarley (CW Sports): "Last one in the back, Coach. What can you say about the impact Ka'eo Akana has had on this defensive line and did you envision this type of success for him when you recruited him from Hawaii?"

Armando Leon: "Every team needs a go-to pass-rusher, regardless of the scheme. A guy you can pull to the side and say "we need this sack," with confidence that they'll get the job done. Ka'eo has been that for us this season; anytime we need a big play, he stepped up. If he doesn't drag Madsen down for the sack before the go-ahead field goal, this is a different game.

"He came to Corvallis without a career sack, but we knew if he was given the chance, he could have an impact. Now? He's got thirteen sacks with at least a game to go. He exemplifies the standards we're building here. Put in the work and you'll get the results. I can't think of a better story to speak to that mentality than Ka'eo himself."


•••


This isn't just about a guarantee, or a big conference win. We've beaten this drum over the last week, but it deserves one more bang. This program was almost dead in the water, lost and forgotten, when the "big boys" left two years ago. Yet, look at us now.

I'm not saying we're going to crash the Playoff this year, or even win the conference. If we lose next week to Washington State, or lose in the Championship Game, it will be disappointing—no sugar coating here. But for coach Jonathan Smith, you couldn't have asked for a better return. Eight wins after the atrocious 7-17 campaign over the past two seasons, and now a conference championship berth.

Progress isn't always linear; this year could be a flash in the pan. But for the first time since Jonathan Smith left shortly after the Pac-12 migration, there's hope in Corvallis. And more than hope, there's a guarantee ringing through, if only for one night.

Coach Leon threw the gauntlet down and on this chilly November night, the Dam answered.


•••

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Boise State	0	10	7	3	20
Oregon State	3	7	0	21	31

Q	Team	Time	Play	Boise State	Oregon State
1st	Oregon State	4:$2	Logan McCreery, 44 Yd FG	0	3
2nd	Boise State	9:57	Jordan Washington, 3 Yd Run	7	3
2nd	Oregon State	4:36	Jackson Bowers, 3 Yd Pass From Kallen Gutridge	7	10
2nd	Boise State	0:04	Colton Boomer, 37 Yd FG	10	10
3rd	Boise State	7:42	Maddux Madsen, 4 Yd Run	17	10
4th	Oregon State	9:24	Salahadin Allah, 5 Yd Run	17	17
4th	Boise State	5:21	Colton Boomer, 25 Yd FG	20	17
4th	Oregon State	1:56	Salahadin Allah, 19 Yd Run	20	24
4th	Oregon State	1:50	Eddie Freauff, Returned Fumble 10 Yds	20	31

Boise State                                                   Oregon State

Passing               | Stats                                 Passing            | Stats
----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------
Maddux Madsen         | 19/30, 262 Yds                        Kallen Gutridge    | 19/33, 203 Yds, TD

Rushing               | Stats                                 Rushing            | Stats
----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------
Jordan Washington     | 12 Att, 86  Yds, TD, 3 FMB            Salahadin Allah    | 21 Att, 101 Yds, 2 TD
Maddux Madsen         | 9 Att, -4 Yds, TD                     Kallen Gutridge    | 10 Att, -10 Yds

Receiving             | Stats                                 Receiving          | Stats
----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------
Chris Marshall        | 6 Rec, 121 Yds                        Zachary Card       | 6 Rec, 68 Yds
Gavin Packer          | 3 Rec, 49 Yds                         Salahadin Allah    | 4 Rec, 34 Yds
Cameron Bates         | 3 Rec, 35 Yds                         Jackson Bowers     | 3 Rec, 32 Yds, TD

Defensive             | Stats                                 Defensive          | Stats
----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------
DE Sterling Lane II   | 4 Tkl, 3 TFL, 1.5 Sacks               DE Ka'eo Akana     | 3 Tkl, 3 TFL, 3 Sacks
DE Demetrius Freeney  | 4 Tkl, TFL, 0.5 Sacks                 DE Kelze Howard    | 5 Tkl, 3 TFL, FF
SS Travis Anderson    | 10 Tkl, TFL                           CB Exodus Ayers    | 4 Tkl, 2 TFL, FF

Pac-12 Week Twelve Results
25 Colorado State (5-6) @ Washington State (3-8) 28
25 Utah State (1-10) @ Fresno State (6-5) 33
54 Texas State (6-5) @ San Diego State (3-8) 35

Notable Week Twelve Results
34 Auburn (7-4) @ #2 Texas (11-1) 37
42 #7 USC (10-1) @ UCLA (8-4) 40
45 #6 Ohio State (10-1) @ Indiana (7-4) 24

Additional Media

► Show Spoiler

Madsen accelerating for the 3rd-quarter rushing touchdown.


Jordan Washington sitting in disbelief after his second fumble. It get's worse, buddy.

[ShireNiner]

Boise fumbled that one away for you. I bet wifey was already getting the divorce papers ready when you were losing in the fourth. It’s all love an wholesome until the moneys gone.

[Agent]

Good victory over a team like Boise

[redsox907]

Boise fumbled that one away for you. I bet wifey was already getting the divorce papers ready when you were losing in the fourth. It’s all love an wholesome until the moneys gone.

Nah, we forced them to fumble it away

on the divorce papers subject, you'll enjoy her line in the next chapter

Good victory over a team like Boise

we movin on up!