One down, two to go
PULLMAN – According to a proverb, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step.
In the Washington State Cougars’ minds, their thousand-mile bowl journey started with one small step – a win over Stanford.
“We still have a chance at a bowl game,” senior wide receiver Michael Bumpus said after WSU’s harder-than-it-could-have-been 33-17 win Saturday. “One down, two to go.”
At least no one evoked the spirit of Al Davis. But that’s what the Cougars have to do to go bowling. Just win baby. Twice more.
Style points don’t matter. But execution does.
And the Cougars failed to execute efficiently within the Stanford 25 and it could, maybe should, have cost them. The four empty trips in the first half ultimately weren’t fatal, but it might have been to coach Bill Doba. After all, he wasn’t breathing.
“Husain (Abdullah’s 55-yard, game-clinching) final interception was the first time I could breath all night,” Doba said, and, though he wasn’t speaking literally, his concern was warranted.
But thanks to the effort of a defense that stymied Stanford at key moments – plus a big decision by Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh not to go for a fourth-and-1 at the beginning of the final quarter – and an offense that finished better in the second half, the concern didn’t morph into consternation. Or defeat.
The defense has more than carried out its end of the bargain since the Oregon debacle, with an attacking, pressuring front seven backed up by a secondary that has improved weekly. Against Stanford, the Cougars let down on a couple of third-quarter drives, allowing the Cardinal two touchdowns and 109 yards of total offense.
But adjustments were made, Stanford had just 55 yards in the final quarter and Abdullah matched that with his interception.
It’s Abdullah, a senior safety, who has ignited the defensive charge. Doba moved him closer to the line of scrimmage in the Cougs’ 3-4 scheme and Abdullah has responded, averaging 12 tackles a game since the bye week.
“I just want to close out my career the right way,” he said. “I’ve been on the (wrong) end of some bad games. I just want to have some good games before I’m out of here.”
The offense piled up the yards, not only through the air (449) but on the ground from Chris Ivory (back after a three week layoff due to a concussion), who was filling in for Kevin McCall (sore knee), who was filling in for Dwight Tardy (ACL).
Ivory gained 104 yards on 15 carries, turning the corner on the Cardinal with impunity, especially late.
“Chris was guy who came in this fall we knew had that kind of ability, make a big run, break a few tackles and he did that tonight,” quarterback Alex Brink said. “We were able to rotate Kevin in enough to keep Chris fresh.
“That running game was key for us those last few drives … to control the football and open up the passing game a little bit.”
The passing game was fueled by Brink’s mobility – he and left defensive end Udeme Udoifa got to know each other well as Brink rolled right and had to avoid him more than a handful of times – and a receiving corps Stanford cornerback Kris Evans said “played really well and went up and got the ball. They had a better day than us.”
Jed Collins, who left with 3 minutes left nursing a sprained ankle that didn’t appear serious, had his first 100-yard game, catching 10 passes for 123 yards.
Brandon Gibson also had a career high 153 receiving yards on seven catches.
Bumpus added seven for 96 yards, taking over Hugh Campbell’s career receptions record with his first catch.
Ben Woodard caught Brink’s 71st career touchdown pass, also the school record.
Charles Dillon had three catches, including a big late third-down conversion.
Now comes the next step, when Oregon State travels to Martin Stadium on Saturday, bringing the Pac-10’s best rushing defense. Again it’s a bowl-elimination game for the Cougars.