Grip on Sports: Cougars’ upset of No. 5 Southern California deserved a celebration
A GRIP ON SPORTS • There are usually parties on Friday night in Pullman. Nothing strange about that. But a noisy rave on the Martin Stadium turf that included about 9,000 of Washington State’s students? That’s a bit unusual – and deserved. Read on.
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• Mike Leach described it thusly to ESPN’s Neil Everett, an Inland Northwest native: “It’s like Woodstock, except everyone has their clothes on.”
While Leach was talking to the national audience, yes. Afterward? We’re not guaranteeing anything.
But joy was the order of the night, and the WSU students were partaking. And ordering another round. Though not everyone was all in.
As Washington State’s 30-27 upset of fifth-ranked USC was going on last night in Pullman, there were a handful of folks in the press box who were rooting for just one thing: the end.
Deadline, even in this day-and-age of always-immediate deadlines and computer posts, is a cruel son of a … gun. (Sorry, nope, note even the seeming approval of the President will get me to type the other word here, even though it’s probably a better fit.)
No matter the finish time, however, the No. 1 priority is to cover what happened. And what happened last night was nothing short of excellence.
A well-played, toughly contested college football game, played by two teams that did not want to lose. There is hardly anything better in sports.
Washington State put together one of its best drives in years to end the first half.
USC’s Ronald Jones exploded for an 86-yard touchdown run that was as well-blocked – the main one coming from a reserve tackle – as any you’ll see this season.
Despite that breakdown – it looked as if one defensive lineman did not slant the way he was supposed to – the Cougar defense played like his ancestor, the Palouse Posse, flying around on every play and even doing a bit of dancing on the field during a late USC time out.
A late go-ahead drive by WSU. Southern California ties it. Another Wazzu go-ahead drive. The game-clinching sack and fumble.
And then there were the game-long emotions. The teams showed their disdain for each other at every opportunity, getting into each other’s personal space after just about every play.
It certainly was a night to build memories if you are a fan of crimson.
• Each WSU game, the S-R asks me to write down three thoughts – or in the modern parlance, “takes” – about the still-evolving contest. I write them during the second half, as the charge is to send them in as close to the final snap as possible.
The late heroics last night meant I added a fourth based on Luke Falk and the final Washington State drive. One I had intended to use, covering third-down efficiency, was tossed to the wayside. But not destroyed. I saved it for here, though I added four paragraphs this morning I would have written last night if the section was needed …
Third down is crucial in every game, but none more than Friday night.
Washington State came in leading the Pac-12, keeping drives alive 56.7 percent of the time. Fifth-ranked USC was not too far behind, converting 51.8 percent of their attempts.
Whichever defense – both WSU and the Trojans were in the top six in the conference in third-down defense – could slow the other offense might decide the game.
So both did. In the first half.
Washington State was just 3-of-8 converting third downs in the first 30 minutes. USC was a bit worse, successful on 2-of-6.
But the second half was different.
The Trojans had five third downs. They did not convert any. Nada.
WSU was a bit better. No, a lot better, converting 5-of-10 second-half third downs.
The Cougars would have been even better if their receivers could have caught the ball consistently. All three of their first-half drops occurred on third down. One, Jamire Calvin’s at the back of the end zone, cost Washington State a touchdown on its first drive. The other two, of course, led to punts.
And, with 10 minutes, 49 seconds left and the game tied at 20, Tay Martin dropped a sure first down deep in USC territory.
No matter, Kyle Sweet caught an 11-yard pass on fourth down and, on the next play, Jamal Morrow took Falk’s shovel pass 23 yards for the go-ahead score.
The Cougars final third-down conversion came on the winning field goal drive. Facing a third-and-4 at their 42, Falk gave the ball to Morrow.
The Trojans were expecting a pass. The handoff surprised them and Morrow broke through the left side, not stopping until Jack Jones pulled him down at the USC 23.
Four plays later Erik Powell kicked the game winning 32-yard field goal.
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WSU: There was pandemonium on the field afterward, as the photo we used at the top of the column shows. Theo Lawson caught the feel of the in-game pandemonium with his late-night analysis of what he saw. He also had a story on the gaggle of NFL scouts at the game. I will say, those guys can put away the chili. … John Blanchette was there as well, as he has been for most WSU football games for the past 35-plus years, and he has some perspective in this column. … Jim Meehan just kept typing throughout and had stories on USC’s blind long snapper, Powell’s big night, the injuries that hit both team, Falk’s record-setting performance and the difference makers. I will another difference maker: the 33,773 in attendance. The noise was definitely a factor. … I had my three takes, of course. … Tyler Tjomsland slogged through the crowd at the end for some emotional photos. … Every highlight and the on-going conversation were all covered in this package put together in the office and organized on the WSU football page. … From the Times, Stefanie Loh had a game story and a sidebar while Matt Calkins contributed a column. Stefanie also had a feature yesterday on a Cougar receiver. And more today on Powell. … The Southern California point of view was covered from all angles, including Sam Darnold’s Heisman-chance-killing poor game and the injuries that hit the offensive line. … ESPN had a story as well. … And we can pass along this story on a football alum.
Elsewhere in the Pac-12, Fridays are always a good day to look back. Some do, and pass along the thoughts to you. … Washington hits the road again, this time heading down I-5 to face struggling Oregon State. There is a history between the schools. … Speaking of history between schools, there are deep ties between Oregon and California. … Both Colorado and UCLA have to win today in the Rose Bowl. Only one can. … If Arizona State is going to win at Stanford, the Sun Devils will have to take care of the ball. …
EWU: The Eagles return home to face former assistant coach Jody Sears and improved Sacramento State. Jim Allen has an advance. … Around the Big Sky, reeling North Dakota tries to get settled, but it won’t be easy at UC Davis. … Northern Arizona is next up for Northern Colorado’s defense. … Cal Poly hopes to avoid a 0-5 start. Idaho State has other plans. … Maybe the best matchup today features a hot Montana State team hosting No. 20 Weber State. … With no football game, the spotlight is on Southern Utah basketball. … Montana is also practicing.
Idaho: With the Vandals not having a football game this weekend, Peter Harriman took the opportunity to preview the beginning of basketball practice.
Whitworth: The Pirates’ hopes of winning the Northwest Conference title may be decided today in McMinnville, Oregon in a matchup of undefeated teams. Linfield is the team to beat and has been for a few years. Whitney Ogden has an advance.
Chiefs: Spokane is 3-0 in the season’s early going after a 6-5 win at Kootenay. The open the home schedule tonight.
Preps: Friday nights are still the main province of high school football and that hasn’t changed. Greg Lee’s last night as the S-R’s lead prep writer including covering Coeur d’Alene’s win. … We also have a story on Gonzaga Prep’s 35-7 win over Shadle Park and a roundup of other games. … There is also a girls’ soccer roundup.
Mariners: The season’s last series, in Anaheim, begins with a come-from-ahead loss. … Hisashi Iwakuma underwent surgery recently. … Erasmo Ramirez is in the M’s plans for next season.
Seahawks: The Hawks don’t take the CenturyLink turf until late Sunday. They may be favored but there isn’t a lot of faith nationally. … The Las Vegas sheriff feels his men acted appropriately in the Michael Bennett situation. … The protest conversations continue. …The Hawks are dealing with injuries this week.
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• Sorry this is short and that it’s a bit late. But getting to bed at nearly 4 a.m. sort of made it tough to get going this morning. We have now filled in all the gaps. Until later …