Oregon State @ San Diego State preview

Oregon State coach Mike Riley returns to Qualcomm Stadium for the first time in 12 years when the Beavers visit San Diego State on Saturday. Riley went 14-34 as coach of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers from 1999-2001. “Most of my memories aren’t great ones as far as the football games,” Riley said on the Pac-12 conference call. “But I love the environment, the stadium, the city and I’m excited to go with our team down there to play a game.”

San Diego State is off to an 0-2 start for the first time since 2008 after opening with losses to FCS school Eastern Illinois and powerful Ohio State. Junior-college transfer Quinn Kaehler makes his first start at quarterback for the Aztecs after throwing for 216 yards against the Buckeyes in relief of ineffective junior Adam Dingwell (five interceptions in two games). Beavers junior quarterback Sean Mannion is off to a sensational start, tying for the national lead with 12 touchdown passes while completing 72.5 percent of his passes for 1,237 yards – second behind California’s Jared Goff (1,306).

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, CBS College Sports. LINE: Oregon State –11.

ABOUT OREGON STATE (2-1): Sophomore running back Storm Woods (152 yards) is out after suffering a concussion against Utah and struggling junior Terron Ward (43 yards on 18 carries) will be the main rusher. Junior receiver Brandin Cooks had a career-best 210 receiving yards in last Saturday’s win at Utah and leads the nation in receptions (29) and touchdown catches (seven) while ranking second with 498 receiving yards. Junior defensive end Scott Crichton (36 career tackles for loss) is Oregon State’s top defensive player, while junior outside linebacker Jabral Johnson (team-high 24 tackles) and junior cornerback Steven Nelson (tied for the national lead with three interceptions) are also playing well.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE (0-2): The running game has struggled with 2012 standout Adam Muema trying to play through an ankle injury that has limited his production to 22 yards on 13 carries after piling up 1,458 last season. Receiver Colin Lockett is off to a strong start with a team-best 14 receptions and the senior also became the school’s all-time leader in kickoff return yardage (1,560). Junior outside linebacker Derek Largent (knee) may be available for a defense that is allowing 41 points and 489 yards per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. San Diego State has won two of the previous three meetings, but Oregon State walloped the Aztecs 35-3 in 2000 in the most recent contest.

2. Mannion passed for a career-best 443 yards and tied a school mark with five touchdowns in the Beavers’ 51-48 overtime win over Utah.

3. The Aztecs have lost 20 of their last 21 games against Pac-12 programs - with the lone win in that stretch coming against Washington State in 2011.

PREDICTION: Oregon State 48, San Diego State 34