Falk gets his chance for Cougars
A GRIP ON SPORTS
A new era in Washington State football begins today in Corvallis. It may be a three-game "era" or it may last longer. Today's game won't completely determine that, but it will go a long way in the decision. Read on.
• Washington State's football history, post 1975 or so, is defined by the quarterback position. Even more so, probably, than the coaches. Hence the poll we've been running this week. The Connor Halliday era ended, sadly, last weekend. Now the Luke Falk era begins. Will Falk (pictured) be the Cougar starter next year? No one, not even coach Mike Leach, knows that for sure. But Falk can begin to convince Leach he deserves the job with a string performance in Corvallis today. The Beavers (4-4 overall and 1-4 in conference play) haven't been the toughest team in the Pac-12 this season, though their pass defense has been the second-best in the conference for most of the year. And that defense should make today's test for Falk a daunting one. Last week the redshirt freshman came off the bench to pass for more than 300 yards. But USC's pass defense isn't in Oregon State's category. Of course, neither is OSU's front seven (the Beavers have fewer sacks this season than Washington State), so Falk should have a bit more time to see the field this week. Will that be a good thing or a bad thing? The Beavers have had a week to prepare for Falk and a game's worth of film to watch. Last week, the Trojans were just trying to adjust, with their game plan built around pressuring Halliday and playing solid in the secondary. Falk did a nice job avoiding the pressure and finding open receivers, who didn't do a very good job of holding on to the football. But the Beavers should try a few more coverages this week, disguising them in such a way to confuse the inexperienced Falk. It will be interesting to see how he reacts. A good showing in Corvallis should lift Cougar spirits brought down by a 2-7 season and the loss of the most prolific quarterback in school history.
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• WSU: Jacob Thorpe is in Oregon for today's game and has an advance for you. He also has a morning post with links as well as his usual keys to the game. There are starting lineups available as well, for WSU and OSU. ... The Cougar basketball team played its first exhibition of the season last night in Pullman and, though it was harder than expected, WSU pulled out an 88-74 win over Azusa Pacific. ... The soccer team tied Washington at 1, stretching an undefeated streak against the Huskies to 11 years. ... The most important game in the Pac-12 today may just be the non-conference matchup between Arizona State and Notre Dame. ... As usual on Saturday morning, we pass along the mailbag from ESPN.com's Pac-12 blog.
• EWU: The Eagles will host Montana this afternoon in a key Big Sky game. Jim Allen has an advance. The big question in Cheney today is whether Vernon Adams (pictured) will return at quarterback this week or wait until the Portland State game in a couple weeks. Stay tuned. ... Weber State is still trying to earn its first win of the season. ... Though half the Big Sky is in the championship race, Southern Utah, a playoff team a year ago, isn't one of them. ... Cal Poly and Idaho State meet in an elimination game. ... Montana State must defeat Portland State to stay in the race.
• Idaho: The Vandals are on the road today at San Diego State. John Blanchette has a quick look at the game. ... The basketball team opened its season with an exhibition win over LC State.
• Preps: It's that time of year. Prep postseason football. Some teams headed to the playoffs, some finishing up their season. Gonzaga Prep is one of those headed to state, with the Bulldogs routing Walla Walla in the second half last night. Tom Clouse has the story and Jesse Tinsley the photographs from the 50-21 victory. ... Lake City earned a 41-34 victory in the Idaho playoffs. Greg Lee has this story. ... Defending 5A state champion Coeur d'Alene lost 43-21 at Rocky Mountain. ... Sandpoint also lost in the 4A playoffs. ... Defending Washington 4A champion Chiawana shut out Lewis and Clark, 24-0. ... Mt. Spokane handled Kennewick 43-13 at Albi. Chris Derrick has the game story. ... Shadle Park traveled to Kennewick and defeated Kamiakin, 27-7. ... We also can offer a roundup of the play-in games in the area as well as the crossovers that ended some schools' seasons.
• Chiefs: Spokane tried, and failed, to become the first WHL visiting team to win a game in Kelowna last night, falling 4-2 to the Rockets. ... The Americans handled Kamloops, 5-2 at home. ... First-place Everett traveled to Vancouver and earned a 5-1 victory. ... Portland lost to Red Deer, 5-4, on a late goal.
• Seahawks: Though a lot of players will be returning from injury – including center Max Unger who will play for the first time in a month – there will still be a couple of key guys out this week against the New York Giants. Tops on that list is safety Kam Chancellor, who will be replaced by Jeron Johnson, coming off an injury himself. ... We all knew Russell Wilson was a good guy, right? Now it's official. He's got an award. ... Pete Carroll yesterday held his last press conference before Sunday's game. ... Marshawn Lynch has turned into a good receiver. And J.R. Sweezy has turned into a good guard.
• Mariners: Chris Young made it a clean sweep of all the Comeback Player of the Year awards by winning the official American League honor yesterday. ... Blake Beavan is a free agent. That means the entire group of players who came in the Cliff Lee trade are now gone. Nice deal.
• Sounders: The Chivas USA players will be dispersed around the MLS in a draft Nov. 19.
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• It's Saturday. College football. Sunshine. Leaves. Gotta love (hate?) this time of year. Until later ...
