Jacob Thorpe

PULLMAN – There were less than a handful of plays in which Washington State didn’t play well enough to beat Oregon on Saturday night. A break here, a break there and the Cougars would be undefeated in the newly-renovated Martin Stadium and the Mike Leach regime would have a win that would resonate long after he finishes coaching. But making those critical few plays are what make the Ducks the No. 2 team in the country, and what made the difference in UO’s 38-31 escape in front 32,952 fans at Martin Stadium.

PULLMAN – If upon opening this newspaper’s Sunday edition readers discover that Washington State has beaten or nearly beaten No. 2 Oregon it will be immediately apparent, even before checking the box score, that Connor Halliday and the WSU offense played well. The offense simply has to rise to the occasion for the Cougars to have a good showing against an opponent that has beaten them by an average of 22.1 points the last seven times they have played.

At Oregon, the novelty is a lie.

PULLMAN – There is nothing unusual about the fact that the current Pac-12 leader in receptions and receiving yards plays for Washington State – the Cougars have attempted more passes than any other team in the country. But it’s a little strange when that player has not been listed as a starter on the depth chart once this season.

There is nothing unusual about the fact that the current Pac-12 leader in receptions and receiving yards plays for Washington State – the Cougars have attempted more passes than any other team in the country.