WSU recap
High point of the game
WSU had already established control of the game with an impressive third quarter, but the Cougars showed they could dominate the proceedings with a 57-yard drive to start the fourth quarter that ended with a DeMaundray Woolridge touchdown run. The drive showed that the Cougars had the ability to run and pass the ball, and even though the touchdown came with nearly 12 minutes to go and still left UCLA within two scores, it seemed as if the Cougars would be invincible thereafter.
Low point of the game
Loren Langley’s second missed field goal of the game came eight seconds before halftime and sent the Cougars to the locker room trailing by a point and shaking their heads in disgust. WSU had gone for a pair of fourth downs in the first half alone to try and avoid kicking it, and the two field-goal attempts and misses made it seem like the Cougars might be on the verge of squandering a golden opportunity for a road win.
A pat on the back
This one goes to a player who is showing himself to be the unquestioned leader of a resurgent team, defensive end Mkristo Bruce. Bruce is playing hurt, with one thumb in a protective cast and one knee badly bruised. The senior has essentially given up the quarterback sack because his team has to play a 3-4 defense now, shifting pass rush responsibilities to others. Even still, Bruce is using every ounce of energy to drag the Cougars to victories, best exhibited on his last play early in the fourth quarter, when he ran down a running back after a 30-yard pass play despite chasing the play with a noticeable limp.
Needs fixing
The Cougars’ special teams play has been lacking all year, but on Saturday things took a remarkable turn as both punter Darryl Blunt (illness) and kicker Loren Langley (quadriceps) were either missing or limited. WSU got by against UCLA, but both the kicking game and the special teams play overall is a significant question mark. Cougar coverage and return teams haven’t been very good, so this isn’t a problem limited to the placekicking.
Three unanswered questions
1) What will Bill Doba do with the kicking game this week?
2) Is there a letdown in store for this team somewhere, or is the current momentum built on a solid foundation?
3) What effect will the injuries to Derrell Hutsona and Dwight Tardy have on the running game?
Glenn Kasses