WSU trailing 38-10 at half
COUGARS
The first play was a fumble leading to a 7-0 Oklahoma State lead. It was 17-0 at the end of the first quarter. Then a 56-yard field goal from Nico Grasu seemed to fire up WSU. Alex Hoffman-Ellis sacked Brandon Weeden to force a punt on the next possession, giving WSU its best field position of the half, midfield. The Cougars took advantage, despite a holding call, scoring in four plays, the last 48 yards on a Jeff Tuel to Marquess Wilson pass. But that was it. For WSU, not Oklahoma State. For more, read on.
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• It seemed as if time had stood still on the Cougars first play. There was Tuel handing the ball off to James Monthomery, but failing to make the connection. Ugo Chimasa fell on the ball and Oklahoma State was in business at the WSU 15. So much like what happened so often last year. ... Kendall Hunter then did what he did the whole first half, run through the Cougar defense. He finished the half with 208 yards on just 18 carries. His first touchdown game OSU a 7-0 lead. His second made it 17-0. Of course, he got a chance to rest after WSU cut the lead to 17-10. For one possession, which culminated in Justin Blackmon's first touchdown catch, a 42-yard toss from Weeden. ... When WSU marched back, getting inside the Cowboys' 40 only to fail on a fourth-and-5 option play between holder Reid Forrest and Nico Grasu – Grasu got the ball to the right spot but his left foot hit out-of-bounds too soon – Hunter took over again. A 66-yard run on the next play set up a 1-yard score to make it 31-10 and he added 38 yards on two more runs to end the half, scoring from a yard out to make it 38-10. ... WSU has 216 yards in total offense, but Oklahoma State has 332. Tuel is 9 of 17 for 124 yards but has been sacked three times. ... Injury report: Rickey Galvin has a fractured right forearm, Jared Karstetter has sore ribs and head after taking a big hit, not sure if he'll be back, Jared Byers suffered a left knee sprain, and Jamal Atofau pulled a hamstring. Gino Simone has not played as his hamstring did not loosen up.
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• That's all for now. We'll be back after the game with our postgame notes and story. Until then ...
