apple cup recap
High point of the game
Eric Frampton’s second quarter interception return for a touchdown made it seem like the Cougars were intent on establishing control, having given up just one bizarre touchdown pass and otherwise controlling play. The Frampton touchdown sent the crowd into a frenzy and gave WSU a 14-7 lead, but the momentum shifted quickly back to the visitors when Marlon Wood took the ensuing kickoff to the Cougar 13-yard line, setting up a tying score.
Low point of the game
Wood’s kickoff return is a possibility from the WSU end, but nothing seemed to stun the Cougars bench and its crowd like the team’s second major special teams gaffe. Trailing 21-17 in the third quarter, Darryl Blunt had a punt blocked by Craig Stevens, who fell on the ball in the end zone to give Washington a two-score lead and control of the game. It was at that point that it became clear that WSU wasn’t just allowing Washington to make a game of it, but that the home team was letting its rival take control of it, too.
A pat on the back
Junior Michael Bumpus turned in a gritty, inspired effort despite a high ankle sprain that hadn’t allowed him to participate in a single practice in two weeks. Bumpus was on the field only in three-wide receiver sets, but he still caught five passes from Alex Brink, all of them good for first downs. Bumpus’ first catch was a twisting, behind-the-body grab that showed what kind of night he was planning to have.
Needs fixing
Since the Cougars probably have less than a 50-50 shot of ending up in a bowl game, let’s look long-term. WSU absolutely has to figure out how to overcome its own mental mistakes in the future, both on the sidelines and on the field. The Cougar coaching staff has now consistently made costly in-game mistakes that have been the difference between wins and losses, and apparently the players on the field forgot the season-long mantra to finish, instead mentally checking out with three games left to play. If the program is to round a corner, that can’t happen.
Three unanswered questions
1) Is the season over?
2) Why did the Cougars collapse in November after getting off to a great start?
3) How badly will this turn for the worse damage the WSU program in the coming years?
Glenn Kasses