Stories by Theo Lawson for the Spokesman-Review

Sports > WSU football

Mike Leach: Tavares Martin Jr. ‘cut’ from Washington State football program prior to asking for release

UPDATED: Sun., Dec. 10, 2017

Cougars continue bowl preparation minus top receiver who was dismissed for violation of team rules. WSU coach also confims Isaiah Johnson-Mack is no longer with team.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State offensive line coach Clay McGuire post practice Dec. 9

Sat., Dec. 9, 2017

Cougars offensive line coach Clay McGuire talks about preparing for the Holiday Bowl and what the extra month of practice can do for the team’s younger players.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State wide receiver Jamire Calvin post practice Dec. 9

Sat., Dec. 9, 2017

Washington State wide receiver Jamire Calvin reflects on his individual season and talks about the Holiday Bowl.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State nickel Hunter Dale post practice Dec. 9

Sat., Dec. 9, 2017

Cougars nickel Hunter Dale talks about his individual season and returning to the Holiday Bowl.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State inside linebackers coach Ken Wilson post practice Dec. 9

Sat., Dec. 9, 2017

Washington State linebackers coach Ken Wilson talks about returning to the Holiday Bowl.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State coach Mike Leach post practice Dec. 9

Sat., Dec. 9, 2017

Cougars coach Mike Leach talks about the Tennessee rumors, the status of Isaiah Johnson-Mack and returning to Pullman for bowl practice.

Sports > WSU basketball

Washington State stumbles at UTEP, losing 76-69 to bring skid to three games

Sat., Dec. 9, 2017

It marks the third consecutive loss for the Cougars (6-3), who opened the year 6-0 and were receiving AP Top 25 votes after a championship run in the Wooden Legacy tournament.

Sports > WSU football

Washington State’s Mike Leach mum on status of WR Isaiah Johnson-Mack following Saturday’s practice

UPDATED: Sat., Dec. 9, 2017

Leach and Johnson-Mack hadn’t spoken as of Saturday afternoon, but the coach said the wideout from Belle Glade, Florida, isn’t practicing with the Cougars and isn’t expected to play in the Dec. 28 Holiday Bowl versus Michigan State.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State defensive line coach Jeff Phelps post practice Dec. 8

Fri., Dec. 8, 2017

Cougars defensive line coach Jeff Phelps talks about the Holiday Bowl, Hercules Mata’afa’s targeting ejection and the Mike Leach rumors.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State offensive lineman Cody O’Connell post practice Dec. 8

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 8, 2017

Cougars left guard Cody O’Connell talks about being named an All-American for the second straight year and preparing for the Holiday Bowl.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State defensive tackle Hercules Mata’afa post practice Dec. 8

Fri., Dec. 8, 2017

Washington State defensive tackle Hercules Mata’afa talks about being named All-American and reflects on the targeting call that led to his ejection in the Apple Cup.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State running back Jamal Morrow post practice Dec. 8

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 8, 2017

Washington State running back Jamal Morrow talks about returning to practice and getting ready to play in the Holiday Bowl.

Sports > WSU football

Video: Washington State quarterback Luke Falk post practice Dec. 8

Fri., Dec. 8, 2017

Cougars quarterback Luke Falk talks about preparing for the Holiday Bowl, the Mike Leach rumors and winning the Burlsworth Trophy.

Sports

Washington State coach Mike Leach, assistants absent from first bowl practice due to travel issues

UPDATED: Fri., Dec. 8, 2017

Mike Leach may have had an overhead view of Washington State’s first Holiday Bowl practice, but the Cougars’ boss never actually made it to Martin Stadium on Friday evening because a heavy layer of fog prevented his flight from landing at Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport.

Sports > WSU football

Hercules Mata’afa named AP’s Pac-12 Defensive Player of Year, earns first team recognition at DE and DT

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 7, 2017

Mata’afa led the conference with 9.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles-for-loss, but lost out on the Pac-12’s official Defensive Player of the Year award to Washington defensive lineman Vita Vea two days ago.

Sports > WSU football

Washington State places Hercules Mata’afa, Cody O’Connell on All-American lists

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 7, 2017

On Thursday, both were named to the Walter Camp All-American First Team, the Walter Camp Foundation announced.

Sports > Idaho basketball

Brayon Blake’s 26 points lead hot-shooting Idaho past Washington State for third-largest win in Battle of Palouse

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 6, 2017

Brayon Blake scored 26 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Victor Sanders added 19 points and Idaho blew out Washington State 91-64. Blake scored nine straight points, starting a 16-2 run for the Vandals (6-2) and a 22-6 lead barely five minutes into the game.

Sports

Video: Washington State guard Viont’e Daniels post practice Dec. 5

Wed., Dec. 6, 2017

Washington State guard Viont’e Daniels reflects on the loss to UC Davis and previews tonight’s Battle of the Palouse.

Sports

Video: Washington State forward Jeff Pollard post practice Dec. 5

UPDATED: Wed., Dec. 6, 2017

Washington State forward Jeff Pollard talks about his expanded role this season and preparing for the Battle of the Palouse.

Sports > WSU basketball

Washington State, Idaho bring contrasting styles, winning records into 273rd Battle of the Palouse

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 5, 2017

Wednesday’s game is the 273rd between the border rivals and marks the 113th consecutive season the teams have met. WSU holds the series lead at 163-109.

Sports

Video: Washington State basketball coach Ernie Kent news conference Dec. 5

Tue., Dec. 5, 2017

Washington State men’s basketball coach Ernie Kent reflects on Saturday’s loss to UC Davis and talks about Wednesday’s rivalry game at Idaho.

Sports > WSU football

Hercules Mata’afa, Cody O’Connell lead Washington State’s All-Pac-12 honorees; Mata’afa loses DPOY to UW’s Vita Vea

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 5, 2017

Of the nine Cougars recognized, Mata’afa and O’Connell were the only ones named to the first team. Safety Jalen Thompson, offensive tackle Cole Madison and kicker Erik Powell were recognized on the second team while offensive tackle Andre Dillard, quarterback Luke Falk, running back Jamal Morrow and linebacker Frankie Luvu all drew honorable mention.