Washington State Learning On Run Fortunate Cougars’ Weekend Victory Looks Most Like A Valuable Experience

Yes, Washington State won. But barely. Just barely.

Don’t let that 33-21 score fool you.

Saturday’s game at Boise State was a dogfight. A dogfight between a schnauzer with attitude (the Big West’s Broncos) and a confused greyhound puppy (WSU). Yes, the Cougars have all the speed in the world, but just like the aforementioned quadruped, there were many times on Saturday night when they were running full speed and wound up chasing their tails. And every indication from the coaching staff on down to the players is that the reason for team’s foibles can be found in WSU’s youth.

“We’re young. We’re learning,” was the refrain echoed by the players following the contest.

Well, the Cougars learned enough against the Broncos to fill a couple volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica. the Broncos to fill a couple volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The first lesson came courtesy of a Bronco blitz that had the attack mentality of Ken Starr. “They blitzed every single down,” said Price, after he had a day to review the film. “And we let them get away with it. “They had our quarterback nervous and they had our line nervous.”

Nervous enough that the offense, which had an average starting field position of its own 47, did not have a touchdown until 5:44 left in the game.

And in the red zone, the struggles were even more apparent.

The defense caused three fumbles inside the Broncos’ 20. The offense totaled four yards on three series and had to settle for field goals.

Price, biting back stronger words, settled on this one “Bad”.

This after the Cougars spent the week working on a new red zone offense.

“What we have to do is prepare an offensive package so that when a team does this to us again, we would have practiced it and be more ready for it,” Price said about the blitzing defense. “Teams have done this to us before and we have killed them. In the future we’ll be ready.”

The second lesson the Cougars learned is that the defensive line may continue to be a problem. And it’s not the player’s on the line; it’s the lack of players behind them.

The Cougars documented lack of depth on the line continued to be a problem against Boise State.

Last week after a 20-13 win against Illinois, in which the Fighting Illini rolled up 123 yards, Price said that might be an aberration. And that running the ball up the middle might just be the strong suit of the Illini’s offense. Following the contest with Boise State it was obvious the lack of depth of the defensive line could be the Achilles heel of an otherwise strong unit.

“We might need some help there,” said Price. “They were knocking us off the ball pretty good.”

Joey Hollenbeck and Mark Hedeen, two freshmen who had their redshirts pulled, did see playing time in the fourth quarter on the defensive line. Hedeen is trying to make the transition from tight end to defensive line.

Lesson three was reserved for junior college transfer Kevin Brown.

Division I isn’t that easy. Even when the team you’re playing has only been in Division I for four years.

After gaining 111 yards on the ground in his debut against Illinois, the running back sputtered, going for zero yards in nine carries against BSU.

“He never really got a chance,” said Price. “They just smothered him.

“There was never a hole he could explode through. I know he’s disappointed. I just hope he’s not discouraged.”

Starting guard Mike Sage was out of the lineup with a strained knee, but Price said his replacement Joe Criscione was not the reason for the ground game’s woes.

Lesson four was finally a positive one. The secondary is good, really good.

“Maybe one of the best we’ve had here,” Price said.

Despite a couple of pass interference calls late in the game, which Price called ticky-tacky, the secondary played nearly flawless football.

Junior college transfer Chris Martin picked off two passes; the last sealed the Cougars win with less than 2 minutes left.

And Lamont Thompson stopped what would have been the go-ahead score with an interception in the end zone with 1:30 left in the third quarter.

LeJuan Gibbons, who has been out four weeks following surgery to repair a torn meniscus, should be working his way back into the starting secondary this week, setting up an interesting decision for Price.

Gibbons was the starter at the left corner position, but Martin has been playing good defense.

“We don’t like to give up a starting position because of an injury,” said Price. “But Chris Martin - he did have a great game.”

And the final lesson was a win is a win is a win.

“We wanted to win on the road. Learn and get better. And stay healthy,” said Price. “We did that. I’d like to win 60-0 but we’re making too many mistakes to defeat anyone that soundly.”