Canzano: Jonathan Smith -- and OSU -- quietly cross a milestone

Beavers must keep coach in fold.

Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith is in his sixth season. (Photo: Naji Saker)

I remember Jonathan Smith’s first season at Oregon State.

He worked hard.

But lost often.

Ohio State put 77 points on the “other” OSU in his debut game as a head coach. Six times that first season the Beavers gave up 48 or more points in losses. Smith’s team went 2-10.

I had the coach on my radio show once a week during the season. He called in on Wednesdays and by the middle of the 2018 season the weekly conversation took on a sobering tone — how Oregon State might make the games more competitive.

Winning felt far away.

On Saturday night, Smith’s team beat UCLA 36-24 at Reser Stadium. The Beavers are 6-1 this season. And a significant milestone was quietly crossed.