Monday reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week Jerry Mixon tried to stir up the passions the Oregon-Oregon State game used to be known for, invoking the spirit of the legendary Cliff Harris.
Mixon told the media, "They are our little bros, and we have to go and kick their ass."
Today after practice reporters gave Beaver quarterback Maalik Murphy a chance to respond, reading back Mixon's comments.
Murphy checked down. “I love it," he said.
"Competitive spirit. I don’t really focus on the talk or anything like that. … I’m just focused on the team and whatever we do in practice, and how we can prepare to get better, go out there and put our best foot forward."
The Beavs are having a woeful season, 0-3 with losses to Texas Tech, Fresno State and Cal, though Duke transfer Murphy has had a hot hand, throwing for 893 yards and six touchdowns. Trouble is, he's been intercepted five times and sacked six more while throwing over 41 times a game.
Against the Red Raiders, OSU of 99W managed just eight yards on the ground in 22 carries, and they're averaging just 71 yards a game. It's no wonder Murphy declines a war of words. The entire offense rests on his strong right arm and mobile feet. He has to save his energy.
Last year the 6-5, 234 junior from Inglewood, California threw for 2,933 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Duke Blue Devils, leading the team to a 9-4 record.
Caught up with Oregon State QB Maalik Murphy earlier today and this was his response to Jerry Mixon @Beavers_Edge https://t.co/3kdRPAeBFx pic.twitter.com/gXVbdi4Qok
— Ryan Harlan (@Ryan_Harlan7) September 16, 2025
A four-star recruit at Junipero Serra High in Gardena, Murphy started his career at Texas, redshirting in 2022, throwing 71 passes in 2023, hightailing it out of Austin when the Longhorns acquired Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. His 26 TD throws set a school record at Duke, but two days after he entered the portal the Blue Devils signed Tulane's Darian Mensah.
Based on the start he's made playing for the downtrodden Beavers, Murphy could command a big price if he transfers again at the end of the season. Oregon State paid him $1.5 million in NIL to matriculate to Corvallis, which currently translates to infinity dollars per win.
Oregon State boosters will consider that an epic bargain if he makes Mixon eat his words.
That's the thing about pregame talk. If a player is going to put it out there, he'd better be able to back it up. Murphy, as mentioned, is 6-5, 234 with a rocket arm. Having challenged him, the Oregon defense needs to contain him in the pocket, shut down his meager running game and produce some sacks and picks.