HIGHS AND LOWS

High point of the game

Despite Marshall Lobbestael’s inexperience and despite the offensive line’s struggles while protecting him, WSU offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy still tried a handful of times to go deep to speedster Jeshua Anderson. It worked early in the third quarter when Lobbestael lofted a ball down the left sideline and Anderson, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, outjumped 5-10 senior Michael Norris for a 30-yard gain. The connection helped the Cougars to their only score, a 47-yard field goal by Nico Grasu six plays later.

Low point of the game

With a little more than seven minutes left in the first half, UCLA quarterback Kevin Craft faced a third-and-10 from WSU’s 24-yard line. The Cougars blitzed, bringing as many rushers as the Bruins had protectors. Middle linebacker Greg Trent was the only Cougar to shed a blocker, however, and he lost his balance in the process. Still, he had Craft by the feet as the quarterback surveyed the field. But it wasn’t enough. The junior stayed upright, zipped the ball to Terrence Austin for 12 yards and the Bruins’ scoring drive remained alive.

A pat on the back

Myron Beck and Louis Bland were each making their second collegiate start at linebacker and, at times, their inexperience showed. But on every play their speed showed as well. Beck, a walk-on sophomore who began the year at safety, raced around for nine tackles, including one for loss. Bland, a true freshman who was recruited as a safety, had eight tackles, two for loss. But it was their ability to run through blocking angles and run down UCLA ball carriers – a skill not found from the linebacker spot much in the recent past – that gives Cougar fans hope for the future.

Needs fixing

The offensive line must be shored up, though there may not be enough healthy talent to do it quickly. Center Kenny Alfred is solid in the middle and right guard Brian Danaher has been a find. Right tackle Micah Hannam has been a warrior on one leg, as has Andrew Roxas at left guard. But the left tackle spot has been a revolving door, with returning starter Vaughn Lesuma, Steven Ayers, Joe Eppele and, finally on Saturday, the undersized Roxas playing there – in Roxas’ case, the first time in his football career. If Ayers is healthy this week, look for him to assume the role against Oregon State. If he’s not, Roxas could be back, with B.J. Guerra playing the guard spot.

Three unanswered questions

• Is this the year the scoring streak ends? WSU has put points on the board with regularity since 1984, 279 consecutive games in all. But twice this season the Cougars have needed a field goal to keep that streak alive, including Saturday when Grasu’s career-long 47-yarder gave WSU its only points. With such a small margin of error, the Cougars could be shut out in either of its next two games.

• When will there be turnovers? No, we’re not talking about dessert. WSU has forced just five turnovers in six games, while committing 19 itself. The ratio of minus-14 is troubling and a key ingredient in the Cougars’ 1-5 season. For the offense to start putting points on the scoreboard, the defense needs to help out with a short field once in a while.

• How long will the seniors play? There will be no bowl game reward at the end of this year, so when will the WSU coaching staff start laying the groundwork for future seasons? OK, so we know it’s already started, with freshman Bland moving into the linebacker spot formerly held by senior Kenny Dunn and Ayers – if healthy – earmarked to take Lesuma’s spot at left tackle. But expect more of the same as the weeks go by.

Vince Grippi, staff writer