WSU Sparks a Stunning Comeback

A week removed from a heartbreaking and controversial officiating game against #2 Oregon resulting in a 38-31 loss at Martin Stadium, WSU mounted an impressive 28-27 comeback victory against the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City. The Cougars got off to a dreadful start down by 21 points after the first quarter highlighted by Connor Halliday throwing a pick six to senior defensive back, Eric Rowe, after his first snap of the game.

            The Utes pounded the Cougars during the first half with a 24-7 lead going into half time. Utah’s playing calling was highlighted by their instrumental running game. Junior running back Devontae Booker finished the game with 24 carries, 178 rushing yards, and 1 TD. The running game was the only edge Utah had over the Cougars. Junior QB Travis Wilson completed 18 of his 38 passes for 165 yards.

            Whatever Mike Leach told his players in locker room clearly motivated the team coming out of the half. The Cougars outscored the Utes 21-3 in the second half. The recipe for success entailed a stout defense with an effective running attack to open the passing lanes. Halliday led the way for the Cougs completing 39 of his 61 passes for 417 yards resulting in 4 TD’s and 2 INT’s. His two favorite targets were sophomore sensation WR River Cracraft and senior WR Vince Mayle, combining for a total of 246 yards and 2 TD’s. Junior WR Dom Williams accounted for the other two passing touchdowns adding 73 yards to the total number of passing yards. WSU’s ground attack prove to be very effective led by a pair of freshmen running backs in Gerard Wicks and Jamal Morrow resulting in 104 rushing yards between the two.

            After five weeks the Cougars will head into Homecoming Week 2-3 overall and 1-1 in PAC-12 play. While fans may be shaking their head wondering why the Cougars performance against Oregon and Utah were not present during the Rutgers and Nevada game, all signs indicate the Cougars are back on track. Heading into the game Utah was 3-0 highlighted by wins against Fresno State at home 59-27 and an impressive road victory against Michigan 26-10. Undoubtedly, given the events that occurred last year between the two teams, Utah was seeking revenge against the Cougars. To recap last year’s game, WSU heading into their game against Utah last year needed one more win to become bowl eligible. Utah heading into the game needed two wins to become bowl eligible, Utah finished last year with five wins. The rest is history. Not only was WSU victorious against a 3-0 impressive Utah team, the Cougars showed tremendous character and exposure leading them to the victory.

            About two weeks, I wrote an article recapping the game against PSU where I stated the Cougars improved in a variety of areas, an established running game to open the passing attack, defensive stops, and a decreased amount of penalties. The Cougars stuck to this formula during the second half to notch their second win of the season. WSU has a long road ahead of them to reach a bowl game but Saturday’s game was a statement. The Cougars could have easily given up after the first quarter. Down by 21 points with the rain coming down hard, the team gathered themselves and shocked the Utah faithful. A win like this should give Cougar fans hope that a bowl game is back in picture if the Cougars can replicate their second half performance toward the rest of their season. It starts next Saturday against CAL in an “Air Raid” offense showdown.

           

WSU Grabs Much Needed Win

After disappointing back-to-back losses to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and the Nevada Wolf Pack WSU took care of business at home beating Portland State 59-21 in front of an energized crowd at Martin Stadium. Connor Halliday torched the Viking’s defense completing 41 of 62 passes for 544 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions. To be technical, Halliday averaged one interception after 30 passes. Nine receivers accounted for a total of 544 yards through the air; however, senior wide receiver Isiah Myers and junior wide receiver Dom Williams combined for a total of 339 yards and 5 touchdowns.

            The passing game is the primary reason why WSU won. However, the running game kept the defense off balance to open the passing game. A pair of freshmen running backs Gerard Wicks and Jamal Morrow rushed for 88 yards producing a touchdown, Wicks accounted for the touchdown.

            WSU’s defense is a tale of two halves. The first half telling the story of zero points. PSU quarterback Kieran McDonagh had no answer to WSU’s defense. The second half PSU won the battle earning 21 points. McDonagh and senior wide receiver Alex Toureen matched each other for seven catches ending with 100 yards and one touchdown. McDonagh’s final stat line, 31 completed passes in 51 attempts for 269 yards, one touchdown and one interception caused by freshman corner back Charleston White. Senior running back Shaquille Richard ran the ball for 68 yards including one touchdown off of 11 carries.

            Instead of heading into week four against Oregon 3-0 as many cougar fans suspected, the reality is a 1-3 record. Despite having one win, WSU improved in certain areas to pick up not only a much needed win but perhaps optimism heading into the coming weeks of college football. The passing game will receive all of the headlines however; the running game is a huge reason as to why the passing game became effective against Portland State. Through the first two weeks WSU earned a total of 44 rushing yards. No matter the type of quarterback and the arsenal he provides, a running game needs to be present. By not establishing a running game an offense will be predictable and vulnerable. If WSU is to have any chance of upsetting Oregon the running game has to be established.

            WSU’s defense is very young. Viewers may already have observed this due to the amount of penalties caused. The Nevada and Rutgers game resulted in 19 penalties for 149 yards. The Portland State game provided progression of improvement with seven penalties for 70 yards. If WSU keeps the penalties down by not giving up free yards that is a second box to check in preparation for the Oregon game next week. On the subject of free yards, WSU did not provide PSU any second chances in the fumble category. Should WSU keep the momentum in that category a third box is checked for the Oregon game.

            After reading the three areas of improvement: established a running game, cut down on penalties and zero fumbles, readers may wonder, “When is he going to talk about the interceptions?” Interceptions are crucial toward tipping the momentum in a favor of a team. However, interceptions are expected to happen in an Air Raid offense. It is expected for Halliday to throw one or two interceptions a game when he throws the ball sixty or seventy times a game. How do you cut down the interceptions? This goes back to my point of establishing the running game. If the running game is clicking the offense does not become one-dimensional. Doing so, Halliday will be less prone to interceptions and trying to do too much at once.

            If all three areas are checked off next week maybe WSU still ends week four 1-4. When playing the number two team in the country you need a lot of things to go your way and a lot of luck. However, a win against other PAC-12 opponents is not out of the question. Turn back to last year when WSU stunned the city of Los Angeles beating #25 USC 10-7, or wins against Arizona and Utah. If you start to look at the cougar’s situation in this scenario then a bowl game is still possible. Perhaps a game against Oregon is too to a lesser extent.