We’ll take another look at what the Cougars did to piece together a defensive effort that was long-awaited and much-needed in this edition of the Washington State rewind, along with Max Borghi’s production and Blake Mazza’s perfect season.

Tim Burmeister, who was formerly in a defensive quality control position with the Cougars, has been elevated to a position coaching role and will spend the remainder of the year as an assistant linebackers coach.

Other than Wazzu’s first step into the Pac-12 win column, the best news out of Saturday’s 41-10 drubbing of hapless Colorado was Borghi amassing a career high for touches – 21 – in a splendid evening that included a team-best nine receptions and 105 yards rushing, making him the first WSU running back since Jerome Harrison in 2005 to post three 100-yard games in a season.

While the innate connection Anthony Gordon and Brandon Arconado have may be on display to Washington State fans for the first time this football season, it’s actually something that’s been years in the making.

Nonstop rain, the familiar trappings of Martin Stadium and the sight of a Colorado quarterback wearing No. 12 may have been just the blend of things Washington State’s defense needed to turn the corner, or at least take an initial step toward doing so, while snapping a three-game losing streak Saturday against the Buffaloes.

Amid the shuffles on Washington State’s defense, redshirt sophomore Armani Marsh got the start Saturday at nickel.

One week after Washington State’s defense gave up its second-highest yardage total of the season, the Cougars’ lone senior in its secondary, Marcus Strong, bounced back and was at his best on Saturday night.

Two years ago Colorado traveled to Pullman on a rainy Saturday in late October. Quarterback Steven Montez was awful, the Buffaloes’ offense was inept and Washington State earned a four-touchdown win.

Difference makers from Washington State’s 41-10 win over Colorado at Martin Stadium in Pullman

The Washington State Cougars forced three turnovers and held the Buffaloes without a passing touchdown in a 41-10 home victory Saturday, their first of the Pac-12 Conference season and their third in as many seasons against Colorado.

Slip “rain” and “Martin Stadium” into the same sentence and you’re sure to evoke some uncomfortable memories for Steven Montez and any other third-, fourth- or fifth-year player on Colorado’s football roster.