CORVALLIS – Conor Blount admits he was shaken when coaches told the Oregon State sophomore quarterback that Jake Luton, not he, would start the 2018 season opener against Ohio State.
But Blount quickly realized what happens with a lot of backup quarterbacks: they’re just one play away from replacing the starter.
Blount prepped last week as though he was Luton, and then filled Luton’s shoes early in the first quarter when the Beavers’ senior quarterback suffered a head injury. Blount gave Oregon State an immediate spark, throwing a touchdown pass to Trevon Bradford on his first series, part of a 168-yard, two-touchdown first-half performance.