iStockphoto / © Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images
The Oregon State Beavers lost at home to a winless Sam Houston State football team to fall to 2-8 on the season. They paid more than $1 million to do so.
The “buy game” was intended to be an easy victory for the home team. The Bearkats had other plans!
This matchup was put on the books in 2024 as the Beavers pieced together a 12-game schedule following the demise of the PAC-12. The school paid about $3 million in total to add six games to the 2025 slate.
A large chunk of that payout came in a partnership with Sam Houston State. Nearly half, in fact.
Oregon State forked out $1.2 million to bring the Bearkats to Corvallis for the first time. A three-touchdown underdog, Sam Houston State did not do the Beavers the courtesy of lying down.
Oregon State fell victim to a huge football upset.
That result was shocking for many reasons. We already mentioned a 21.5-point spread that favored the Beavers. Looking at the box score, it would appear the game ended in a runaway win for the home team.
Oregon State outgained the Bearkats by 317 yards. They won the first down battle 28-to-8. Sam Houston State completed nine passes for a total of 85 yards. That was more than the 72 rushing yards gained on the ground.
The Beavers jumped out to a 17-0 lead midway through the second quarter. The game seemed destined for a blowout. Sam Houston State battled back with three unanswered touchdowns, two of which came on special teams.
HOUSE CALL!! 🏠
Tim Burns with a LOUD 🗣️ start to the 2nd half, taking the kickoff back 98 yards for the score!
It’s the first KO return for a TD for SHSU since Jaylen Harris at Prairie View in 2017 #EatEmUpKats pic.twitter.com/CiXcnoHnqX
— Sam Houston Football (@BearkatsFB) November 9, 2025
The Beavers had chances to overcome the four-point deficit late. Twice they were stopped on downs in Sam Houston State territory. They also threw an interception on one of their final three possessions.
The end result was an embarrassing nightmare for an Oregon State team that largely controlled the football game. Those watching along in person left their seats defeated. Those watching along at home escaped to sitcom television.
The Beavers played on The CW Network.
The PAC-12 and The CW have a media rights agreement that runs through the 2031 season. Current and future games are set to air on the network with a conference shakeup upcoming.
The agreement gives the new-look Pac-12 a consistent presence on The CW with 13 regular-season football games, 35 men’s basketball games and 15 women’s basketball games each season. Pac-12 Enterprises will produce the broadcasts, totaling 66 events annually on the network.
The deal positions The CW alongside CBS Sports as long-term national broadcast partners for the Pac-12, which will relaunch in 2026 with Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, Utah State and Washington State.
-ESPN
The league had trouble securing its most recent television deal, leading former conference members to bail for higher paydays in the Big Ten, Big XII, and ACC.
It led to the deal with The CW Network, which is not known for its sports coverage. Instead, it’s popularity stems from its airing of re-run sitcom TV series.
The CW took a four-hour break from its standard scheduling to showcase Oregon State football. Unfortunately for the Beavers, those watching along witnessed a meltdown of epic proportions.