Grip on Sports: No matter the hour, college football finds a way to be a bit cheeky
A GRIP ON SPORTS • The idea is, in the spring, to lose an hour of sleep that can only be made up in November. Which is a decent plan. Unless there is a late night Pac-12 football game that eats up the whole darn 60 minutes. And more. Read on.
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• Yep, the hour of sleep we were supposed to have granted to us last night? Up in smoke – or flags – courtesy of USC’s inability to put Arizona away until after 11 p.m. I know #Pac12afterdark is supposed to be a thing, but #Pac12intheweesmallhoursofthemorning shouldn’t be.
We jest, of course. Great college football is worth watching at anytime for however long it takes. Which is why we wanted last night’s late game to end. Thanks to a overabundance of yellow flags – not including the ones the USC student body was tossing in the stands during the second half – the Trojans’ South-deciding (basically) win wasn’t great college football.
The way things were going yesterday, I half expected a thunderstorm to hit midway through the final quarter, causing a couple hour weather delay.
• The weather played a big part in the football action yesterday, causing the Washington State game to switch over to something called Fox Business – “Our discussion today: Is a 2-percent corporate tax too much?” – around the nation. It was business as usual around here, thank goodness, as I always tape the Cougar game in case I need to watch it later.
That might be the case this evening. I need some new underwear and I understand some were advertised during the game.
• Two quick thoughts from the Cougars’ 24-21 win over Stanford:
Luke Falk may have his ups and downs during a game, but if a fourth-quarter, game-winning drive is possible, he seems to deliver it regularly. And Alex Grinch is in David Shaw’s head.
The Cougar defense has handle the Stanford power offense well in Grinch’s three years in Pullman. It took a big play in which a Cougar defender was accidentally blocked by an official, a fumbled pass attempt and some excellent kickoff returns to get the Cardinal in the endzone.
Stanford had 198 yards of total offense. The Cardinal only ran 47 plays. That the game was as close as it was can be attributed to a fluke play and a defensive score.
• The Seahawks have some injuries. But not as many as today’s opponent, the Washington Redskins. Now that’s a beat-up team. Especially on the offensive line, which isn’t a good formula for success against the Hawks.
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WSU: The snow came down in Pullman (and around the Inland Northwest) yesterday, making the game the first with white stuff for Stanford since 1936. Theo Lawson has worked in it before, though, so it didn’t slow his attack one bit. He has his game story, a story on the snow’s significance, Falk’s record-breaking moment, the late TV channel change and news of the death of a former WSU athletic administrator. … John Blanchette also was there and he built his column around the game and one moment of hilarity captured by the broadcast, if only briefly. … Josh Wright has the difference makers on Senior Day. … I had my done-by-the-final-horn three takes. … As usual, Tyler Tjomsland captured the game with his camera. … The seniors said goodbye to Martin Stadium with the victory – and a 7-0 mark this season – with their families in attendance. … Stanford coach David Shaw took the responsibility for the loss, criticizing his play calling. … Finally, there is some sad news out of Salt Lake City concerning a former WSU linebacker.
Elsewhere in Pac-12, there were some things decided yesterday, but not everything. … Washington has a decided advantage in its “rivalry” with Oregon, routing the offensively challenged Ducks 38-3 in Husky Stadium. Oregon couldn’t pass and the Huskies could. They did, often. Plus they have Dante Pettis. … It’s been a long time since Oregon State has won a road game. The Beavers didn’t against California either, losing 37-23. The Bears are one win from bowl eligibility. … We mentioned USC’s win over Arizona above. The Trojans seemed to have the game in control at halftime, lost track of Khalil Tate for a quarter and a half, then restored order down the stretch, winning 49-35. … Colorado seemed to have its sixth win of the season well in hand in Tempe, but Arizona State rallied in the second half for a 41-30 win. … Utah believes it has turned a corner, but no one can ever be sure after a game against beat-up UCLA.
Gonzaga: The Bulldogs took the court last night to face the College of Idaho in an exhibition contest. Jim Meehan was there and he has the game story as well as the news the Zags are dealing with way too many injuries already. … The men’s soccer team lost to Portland.
EWU: Everything was going Eastern’s way yesterday in conference play, most notably Northern Arizona’s perfect season being targeted in Missoula. Except for one thing. The Eagles forget to take care of business. Jim Allen has the game story, some thoughts on the 28-20 home loss to Weber State and the difference maker. … Colin Mulvany has the photo report. … Around the Big Sky, something out-of-the-ordinary happened in Missoula yesterday. Northern Arizona quarterback Case Cookus was ejected for targeting. Yep, a quarterback was tossed for targeting. Without their main weapon, the Lumberjacks’ perfect conference mark disappeared in a 17-15 loss to Montana. … Southern Utah kept its conference title hopes alive with a 47-21 win over North Dakota. … Northern Colorado’s losing streak is at five after a 50-21 loss at Sacramento State. … In the battle of winless teams, host Cal Poly overcame Portland State 35-28. … UC Davis routed Idaho State 56-17. Coeur d’Alene’s Gunnar Amos played extended minutes at quarterback. … Montana State gave up a late touchdown and lost to Kennesaw State in a non-conference battle.
Whitworth: The Pirates had little trouble with Lewis & Clark in Portland, winning 48-7.
CCS: The school’s athletic Hall of Fame will welcome some new members later this month.
Chiefs: Spokane is on a bit of losing streak. The Chiefs dropped their fourth consecutive game last night, losing 3-2 to visiting Tri-City in a shootout. Whitney Ogden has the story. … Portland snapped Everett’s three-game winning streak.
Preps: The state playoffs continued Saturday with Mt. Spokane moving on in football with a 23-14 win over Bishop Blanchet at Albi. Dave Nichols has the story. … We can also offer roundups from other football games, volleyball, girls’ soccer and local athletes. … The state cross country titles were decided yesterday in Pasco. Spokane did well, as usual.
Seahawks: As we mentioned above, Washington comes to CenturyLink this afternoon sporting a long injury list. But the Hawks will be without a crucial player as well, safety Earl Thomas. … The offensive line needs to take up the challenge. … Paul Richardson’s new production has its roots in the bye week. … Russell Wilson and his Washington counterpart, Kirk Cousins, have something in common.
Mariners: The offseason means goodbyes and also hellos. There is one hello John McGrath feels the M’s really need to say.
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• There are a few inches of snow on the deck. And in the yard. Which means a whole boatload of leaves is no longer visible. I wonder if they will disintegrate before the snow melts? Until later …