Notebook: Up to the challenge

PULLMAN – A patchwork offensive line consisting of two sophomores and a freshman is not supposed to perform well against the No. 3 team in the nation. But that’s precisely what Washington State’s starting five managed to do against USC.
The Cougars rushed for 131 yards – averaging 4.7 yards a carry – and quarterback Alex Brink wasn’t sacked once, largely because the blockers up front held up throughout.
“Our kids prepare really hard whether they’re the starter or the backup,” offensive line coach George Yarno said. “They made the plays to win the game. We never gave up. We just came up short.”
USC’s front seven is considered the strength of this year’s Trojan team, but WSU consistently found success on the ground using a variety of delays out of a conventional look and toss plays out of unbalanced formations.
The Cougars were playing with no experienced backups, as guard Sean O’Connor moved to tackle, sophomores Dan Rowands and Andy Roof started at guard, and freshman Kenny Alfred got his first start at center with senior Josh Duin injured.
Only right tackle Charles Harris has started all five games for WSU without switching positions this season.
“I’m really proud of the offensive line,” head coach Bill Doba said. “They didn’t give up a sack and that’s a patchwork bunch of guys.”
Ahmu breaks foot
Defensive tackle Feveae’i Ahmu reinjured the same left foot that forced him to sit out the season’s first three games on Saturday.
Ahmu, according to Doba, broke the foot in a similar fashion as he did in August, which would suggest a partial stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal.
Since the break is partial – X-rays were taken during the game – Ahmu’s season might not be over. But Doba confirmed that the defensive tackle will likely miss at least a significant part of the season.
Career day
Wide receiver Michael Bumpus found WSU’s quick-throw offense to his liking, as he finished with a career-best 11 catches for 112 yards.
While other Cougar receivers like Jason Hill attempted deeper routes, Bumpus found himself working the underneath areas out of the slot on numerous occasions, allowing Brink to find him on three-step drops.
“I guess this just happened to be my day,” said Bumpus, who was also involved on an unsuccessful trick play, throwing the ball back to Brink across the field. “I’m more of a quick guy. Going downfield is more for J-Hill and Brandon Gibson.
“Of course we’re down since we lost. But it’s something to build on.”
Kick in the pants
WSU had passed on a 38- and a 44-yard field goal in the previous two weeks in favor of going for it on fourth down, and Doba suggested during the past week that he’d continue to do so until kicker Loren Langley gained more confidence.
On Saturday Langley might have done just that. The junior made all three of his field-goal attempts, the first two from 35 yards and the third from 20.
“I hit some pretty big field goals out there and I was happy with myself and I think my team is also,” Langley said.
The kicker also made his lone extra point. WSU went for two unsuccessfully on its other touchdown when Alex Brink sailed a pass wide of tight end Cody Boyd.
Holt returns
Nick Holt made a successful return to the Palouse, but he wasn’t able to enjoy it until USC defensive back Taylor Mays intercepted an Alex Brink pass at the Trojans’ 4-yard line in the closing seconds.
Holt, who was the head coach at Idaho the last two years before returning to USC as the defensive coordinator, saw his unit give up 26 first downs, 287 yards passing and 418 total yards – all season highs.
Notes
Brink played significantly better than he had in past games against upper-echelon defenses, throwing for a pair of touchdowns and 287 yards before throwing his lone interception on the last play. … One somewhat controversial call could have hurt the Cougars’ chances. Down 21-15, USC’s Allen Bradford fumbled a kickoff and WSU had a chance to grab possession inside the red zone. One referee signaled that WSU had recovered, but then lead referee Jay Stricherz indicated the Trojans had possession. On the sidelines, Bill Doba appeared to verbally pass on challenging the call, and USC started its game-winning touchdown drive from there. … USC has now won 49 of 51 games, and 18 straight on the road. … Martin Stadium was sold out, with almost all 35,117 seats occupied. … WSU debuted a new uniform with gray shoulders and a new font for the lettering and numbering.