Christian Caple’s Keys to the Game

The Cougars didn’t pack it in when UW took a 28-10 lead late in the third quarter. Jeff Tuel completed 33 of 53 passes for 350 yards and orchestrated three fourth-quarter scoring drives to help WSU tie the game and force overtime. And the Cougars dominated up front, holding the Huskies to 2.3 yards per carry while sacking Price twice.

A series of unfortunate turnovers nearly doomed the Cougars in the third quarter. Two fumbles were routine, but an interception thrown by Tuel that bounced off the facemask of receiver Isiah Myers seemed to suggest WSU was particularly ill-fated. A number of drops also prevented the Cougars from extending drives.

There were a couple. Tuel’s 29-yard strike to Myers while taking a late hit to the head helped the Cougars cut UW’s lead to 28-25 after Carl Winston scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. And UW kicker Travis Coons’ miss of a 34-yard field goal try to end regulation obviously gave the Cougars new life.

Receiver Dominique Williams seemed to come up with big catches when WSU needed them most. He caught eight passes for a career-high 143 yards, including a 61-yarder that led to WSU’s first touchdown of the game. Toni Pole’s overtime interception of Keith Price was probably the play of the game, allowing WSU to win it.