Highs & Lows: Cal vs. WSU

High point

When will teams figure out they can’t cover Jason Hill with one defender? Apparently Cal wasn’t the team to nail it down, and Hill’s third touchdown catch of the third quarter completed the comeback from a 28-10 halftime deficit. The junior’s third score not only broke the school record for career touchdown grabs, but also was a highlight-reel effort, as Hill caught the ball off of a deflection from a Bears defender. WSU would later tack on another touchdown to extend the lead to 10, but Hill’s last scoring catch made the Cougars look almost invincible.

Low point

Much as Alex Brink’s second interception in two throws before the half merits this dubious distinction, WSU’s late-game collapse, specifically Lavelle Hawkins’ game-winning touchdown with one minute and 50 seconds left in the game stands alone as the Cougars’ nadir. How a team that scored 28 consecutive points could turn around and allow two quick touchdowns is beyond most, but this year’s WSU team has been inventing ways to lose.

Play of the game

Head coach Bill Doba wanted to go for the jugular, and so with just more than six minutes left and the ball on the Cal 38, the Cougars faked a punt on fourth-and-2. Instead of pinning Cal deep with a punt or just going for it with a red-hot offense, the failed Scott Davis sneak brought the crowd — and the Bears — to life. Two plays later Cal had a touchdown and all the momentum.

Player of the game

The honor should probably go to both Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, who ran for 160 and 111 yards, respectively, on a previously stingy WSU run defense. But Hill’s one-man show in the third quarter made an otherwise dull blowout a nail-biter. For the three scores and six catches overall for 240 yards — in front of dozens of friends and family members, no less, the junior wideout earned the credit.

Stat of the game

Alex Brink’s passing yardage by quarter: 178, 0, 172, 73. The Cougars’ score by quarters: 10, 0, 22, 6.