Wins and losses are one thing, but some other occurrences are more important
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Short and bittersweet. We’re not talking about the amount of sleep we received last night, but yesterday’s college football around the area. And our morning post as well. Read on.
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• We’ll keep this quick, because it’s late and there are a lot of links to get to. But we couldn’t gloss over the fact Luke Falk’s record-breaking redshirt-freshman season may have come to a close last night when his head hit the cold Martin Stadium turf just before 10 p.m. Falk was sacked only once by Colorado’s defense but the one resulted in what looked to be a knockout blow. Falk lay on the turf for nearly 10 minutes. He had to be immobilized – standard procedure these days for that type of blow to the head. He was taken to Pullman Regional and evaluated. What the prognosis is, I don’t know. I’m not a neurologist with access to his medical charts. But the way concussions are treated these days – rightfully so – it would be shocking if he returned for Friday’s Apple Cup. The ensuing bowl game? That seems more likely, but who knows? Falk was knocked around pretty good in the first half against UCLA last week and seemed to exhibit concussion symptoms, albeit that’s something that’s hard to evaluate from your living room. He passed the tests at halftime and finished the game. Still, that can make last night’s blow a bit more problematic. As I’ve written many times in this space, there are just a couple things I ever root for: A quick game and no injuries. So I have no problem hoping Falk is fine and will be back playing the game he loves as quickly and safely as possible.
• The Cougars held on to win – the eighth time that’s happened since the season-opening loss to Portland State – but the Eagles of Eastern Washington couldn’t. And, in one of those odd turns that seems to revolve around Inland Northwest sports, their season was ended by the same Vikings. The Cougars had a whole season to bounce back from the loss to PSU – and they did. Eastern has no such luxury. The Eagles have the entire offseason to let the 34-31 loss – and the four other defeats they suffered, including the last three games – fester and motivate for the 2016 season. You want one statistic that told the story? How about Portland State converting 13 of 17 third downs, including many of the third-and-long variety? Two weeks ago Northern Arizona was 13 of 19 converting third downs and last week Montana was 8 of 14. If your defense can’t get off the field, you can’t win.
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• WSU: Despite the late hour, Jacob Thorpe has the complete report on WSU’s 27-3 victory, the Cougars most dominating Pac-12 defensive effort in a long time. Jacob has his game story as well as video from Mike Leach, Gerard Wicks, Peyton Bender, who did a fine job replacing Falk in the second half, Gabe Marks and Dom Williams. Jacob also has the keys to the game, the game notes, statistics and a morning post with lots of links. ... Falk’s injury not only figured prominently in Todd Milles’ New Tribune game story, it also led to some concern about his health around the West Coast.
• Gonzaga: The Zags rolled past Mount St. Mary’s last night in McCarthey, with John Blanchette taking over the coverage duties. John also has a column on Gonzaga’s next opponent. ... Speaking of neighboring schools that haven’t played in a while. ... Pepperdine’s Stacy Davis is getting some much-deserved ink. ... The Gonzaga women had the best finish of an area school in the NCAA cross country championships.
• EWU: The loss to Portland State ended the regular season and also ensured the Eagles will not play a postseason game. Jim Allen has more in his game story and notebook. Jesse Tinsley adds this photo report. ... The guy who was supposed to lead Eastern to the playoffs this season had a day for Oregon. ... Southern Utah won the Big Sky Conference title. ... PSU will be moving on to the playoffs and the Oregonian's Ken Goe thinks it will be a long stay. ... Weber State picked up a win as the Big Sky ended its regular season.
• Idaho: The Vandals basketball team had a bit of fun last night, dropping Linfield 85-59 at home. Sean Kramer has the story. ... The football team traveled to the state of Alabama again and dropped a 56-34 decision at Auburn.
• Whitworth: The Pirates’ football season came to end at the same place their only other loss occurred: McMinnville, Ore. Linfield ran past Whitworth 48-10. ... The basketball team rolled past Northwest, 84-54.
• Chiefs: Spokane stayed hot, handling Moose Jaw 5-2 at the Arena. ... Seattle treated visiting Portland rather rudely, handing the Winterhawks a 5-2 defeat. ... Everett has lost three consecutive games. ... Tri-City earned a come-from-behind overtime victory at home against Victoria.
• Preps: Idaho decided its state football titles yesterday, with Sandpoint coming up short in the championship game. Sean has the story. ... Gonzaga Prep moves on to the Washington 4A semifinals – a rematch against Richland, who the Pups defeated in the season opener – after its 28-18 win over Woodinville. Greg Lee has that story – Dan Pelle has photos from Albi – as well as the story on Royal’s win over Collville in the 1A playoffs. ... ACH won in the 1B quarterfinals. ... St. George’s 2-0 win over Tacoma Baptist earned the Dragons the 2B1B boys soccer championship.
• Seahawks: There was a time not too long ago a matchup with the 49ers in Seattle would have generated abuzz aplenty. This year, not so much. But the teams meet today with the Hawks trying to get out of their own way and get their season untracked. ... Seattle made a minor roster move yesterday.
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• Sorry this is so late. The drive back from Pullman in the wee small hours of the morning was a lonely one. I only almost fell asleep two or three times. But then, of course, when the bed was finally available, I couldn’t get the body to shut down. The result? I arose a lot later than I wanted. Until later ...
