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Jacob Thorpe

Jacob Thorpe

Current Position: Sports columnist

Jacob Thorpe is a freelance sports columnist covering Washington State football.

All Stories

Sports

Late drive gives Washington State Cougars thrilling win at Rutgers

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The decisive moments in Washington State’s 37-34 victory over Rutgers on Saturday did not come when the Scarlet Knights aroused the ghosts of past Cougars losses with two go-ahead special teams scores in the fourth quarter. Nor were the cascades of overpowering runs, broken up passes, unfavorable play reviews or 45,536 rain-drenched but screaming partisans enough to sway the outcome in the home team’s favor.
Sports

A loss at Rutgers would leave Cougars, fans cold

NEWARK, N.J. – Tension exists in any press conference after a loss, and even more so when those in the room are fully aware that the loss will be remembered as historically embarrassing. The severe mood last Saturday spiked, momentarily, when a reporter asked head coach Mike Leach if he worried about getting fired after such a bad loss. But it dissipated when Leach, rather than demean the question’s intelligence or demand a new question, as he often does, calmly gave a reasonable answer.
Sports

Idaho Vandals football star Dezmon Epps seen in video of theft

Security video footage from the VandalStore on the University of Idaho campus shows star Vandals receiver Dezmon Epps and several teammates stealing merchandise from the store, according to a university statement. Epps is considered to be the best talent on the team. He was dismissed from the team prior to the 2014 season for what was termed a “violation of team rules” but reinstated during practices the following spring. The dismissal occurred shortly after he was charged with theft.
Sports

Cougars expect their best against Rutgers

There are plenty of reasons to think Washington State could come out and beat Rutgers and end the season’s second week with a 1-1 record that prior to the season most fans would have considered reasonable, if not particularly exciting.
Sports

WSU football: Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo provides haymakers

PULLMAN – Leonte Carroo’s first-play touchdown against Washington State in the Seattle season-opener last year became an iconic moment, not only for the loss, but for the Cougars’ struggles defending passes all season. It was a routine play for Carroo, practically a tradition, since he has now scored a touchdown on his first catch in each of the last three seasons. So far this year all three of his receptions have ended in touchdowns, giving the senior a school-record 22 touchdown catches over 24 games (he played only special teams as a freshman).
Sports

WSU well aware of Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo

PULLMAN – Leonte Carroo’s first-play touchdown against Washington State in the Seattle season-opener last year became an iconic moment, not only for the loss, but for the Cougars’ struggles defending passes all season.
Sports

Morning links: Cougars head east

The opening chords of AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" ripped through the Pullman air as the Cougars stretched in the morning shadows and begun their 7 a.m. practice.
Sports

Coach Mele’s family, friends will be out to support Cougs at Rutgers

PULLMAN – Washington State assistant football coach Eric Mele engages players by comparing special teams to Special Forces, creating daily missions instead of goals and referring to his best players as “lieutenant.” So, it’s fitting that this weekend at Rutgers he’ll have his own army.
Sports

Jacob Thorpe’s Week 2 Pac-12 picks

Last year the Pac-12 was the best conference in the land, dominating the bowl season, putting a member school in the championship game and going 13-4 against other Power 5 conferences in the regular season. If Week 1 was any indication, this year’s edition is a much kinder, more timid Pac-12. The conference went just 7-5 during the opening weekend, including a measly 4-4 record against FBS opponents. Utah’s win against Michigan was enough to put the Utes in the Top 25, barely, but Texas A&M’s drubbing of Arizona State in Houston was a weak moment for the conference and Arizona’s struggle to put away Texas-San Antonio was another one.