COUGARS

We're back, though you probably have given up and gone to bed. If you're still awake and need something to put you under, read on.
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• In the four years I've been covering the Cougars I'm not sure I remember a game in which they did more good things, especially considering the competition. But they also did enough crappy things to lose 43-23. The holding penalties hurt. The Oregon big plays hurt. And Jeff Tuel's late third-quarter interception really hurt. Yet, going through the stats and going over my play-by-play notes, this might have been the best game the Paul Wulff-led Cougars have played from start to finish. "Like I said earlier this week, the Cougars are a strong team and will only continue to get better in time," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said. Of course, Kelly doesn't want his Ducks to fall from their perch in the national rankings, and Saturday's showing may not help. But the flashes WSU showed on both sides of the ball are something to build on. ... Wouldn't it be nice if WSU were heading into a bye week like the Ducks? Instead ninth-ranked Arizona, fresh off a 29-27 upset defeat against Oregon State, will come to Pullman needing to recover. ... Jared Karstetter had 10 receptions for 106 yards, both career highs. ... WSU's 14-8 lead was its first against the Ducks since 2006, when the Cougars defeated Oregon 34-23. ... We have our game story (link fixed) available and the notebook John Blanchette and I put together.

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• That's all for now. We'll be back in the morning as usual. Until then ...

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