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Turnover blunder turns possible two-score lead into tie game for Washington State against California

Washington State Cougars linebacker Jahad Woods (13) strains for a fumbled ball in the end zone during the second half of a college football game on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. WSU won the game 19-13. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)
By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com(509) 459-5495

PULLMAN – It’s the little things that can change a game in big way.

Facing a third-down and three yards midway through the third quarter on Saturday, California quarterback Chase Garber went to the air.

Washington State’s Willie Taylor jumped the route, intercepted Garber and returned it 37 yards. Taylor appeared to have a defensive touchdown within his grasp. The problem was the ball wasn’t.

Taylor fumbled into the end zone and Jahad Woods could not come up with Taylor’s fumble as it rolled out of bounds. So instead of a potential two-score lead, the ball went back to Cal with the Cougars leading 13-10.

The Golden Bears took the gift and drove into Washington State territory, where Cal’s Greg Thomas tied the game at 13 with a 46-yard field goal with 2:04 left in the quarter.