First look: Looking to snap a three-game skid, WSU heads to the desert to visit ASU

PULLMAN – Here is a first look at Washington State’s road test against Arizona State on Saturday.

What is it?

Washington State, trying to end a three-game losing streak, kicks off what figures to be a softer stretch of schedule with a road matchup against Arizona State.

Where is it?

Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.

When is it?

Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PDT.

Where can I watch it?

Pac-12 Network will broadcast the game.

Who is favored?

Washington State was a 6.5-point favorite as of Monday.

How did the Cougars fare last week?

Washington State dropped a 38-24 decision to No. 9 Oregon, keeping things within one score at halftime before wearing down in the second half, allowing the Ducks to pull away. WSU’s offensive line, which had struggled in big ways the previous two weeks, produced some of its best pass-protection in three weeks, giving quarterback Cameron Ward time to throw, which he used to find receiver Lincoln Victor for a school-record 16 receptions.

For the Cougs, a few moments from that loss probably sting. In the first half, they were piecing together a promising drive, complete with two Victor receptions for double-digit yards. On a trick play, Ward found tight end Cooper Mathers alone along the sideline – except Mathers dropped it. WSU didn’t score on that drive, and a few plays later, Oregon widened its lead with a touchdown.

In the third quarter, WSU safety Sam Lockett missed a tackle on Oregon running back Bucky Irving, who juked his way past Lockett and into the end zone, good for a touchdown that pushed the Ducks’ lead to 31-16, all but putting it out of reach.

Then there was the play that confused just about everyone who watched it. Early in the third quarter, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix tossed a pass in the flat to Irving, who burst upfield. When he reached the WSU 20, Cougar linebacker Devin Richardson appeared to be in position to make a play, but he didn’t know where the ball was. He was blown up on a block, Irving scampered into the end zone and Oregon cashed in with another touchdown.

“It looked really bad,” WSU coach Jake Dickert said on Monday. “He actually thought the tight end caught the ball and went out of bounds. That’s all I can really say on that play, and we’ll leave it at that.”

Even with all that going on, though, Washington State showed improvements in areas that matter. The Cougs solidified a starting five on the offensive line – left tackle Esa Pole, left guard Christian Hilborn, center Konner Gomness, right guard Brock Dieu and right tackle Fa’alili Fa’amoe – which held up well against Oregon’s array of defensive linemen. Hilborn earned the fourth-best pass-blocking grade nationwide for Week 8 from Pro Football Focus, which named Gomness to its offensive team of the week.

That gave Ward the most time he’s had in roughly a month, and he took advantage. He completed 34 of 48 passes for 438 yards and one touchdown, perhaps his best throw coming when he scrambled out of the pocket and lobbed a perfect toss to receiver Kyle Williams, who reeled it in for a 47-yard gain.

“Just a good play by 2,” Ward said, referring to Williams and his jersey number. “I feel like he’s one of the best receivers on our team. I feel like the O-line, they did an incredible job, not only this season but this game. It’s not easy being in the trenches, for sure.”

Scouting Arizona State…

ASU, 1-6 overall and trying to snap a six-game slide, is coming off a 15-7 loss to No. 5 Washington in Seattle. The Sun Devils, around 28-point underdogs, took a 7-3 lead into the fourth quarter, but that’s when the Huskies notched a pick-six that helped them hold on for the win.

In its first season under head coach Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State is looking for its first win since its season-opener, a 24-21 win over FCS Southern Utah, but the Sun Devils appear to be headed in the right direction. On Saturday, they limited Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. like no other team has this season, intercepting him twice and recovering one of his fumbles. All three of ASU’s last three losses have come by one score.

On offense, the Sun Devils’ top weapons are quarterback Trenton Bourguet and running back Cam Skattebo, a transfer from FCS Sacramento State. They also feature receiver Elijah Badger, a 6-foot-2 pass-catcher who hauled in eight catches for 50 yards in his group’s loss to Washington.

Still, there’s a reason why ASU ranks last in offense in the Pac-12, according to PFF. Bourguet has more interceptions (3) than touchdowns (1) and, thanks to a barrage of injuries, the Sun Devils have been forced to turn to Bourguet, who was originally slated to be the third-stringer. Quarterbacks Jaden Rashada and Drew Pyne have both been banged up.

“I think Arizona State does a good job of really being creative,” Dickert said. “And Scattebo is as physical as it gets – downhill. Reminds me of the UCLA back. They’re physical, downhill, run behind their pads, and he’s getting everything extra, and you’re not going to bring them down just with one guy.”

What happened last time?

Washington State took down ASU last year in Pullman, 28-18, a victory highlighted by the Cougars’ rushing attack. In that one, Nakia Watson piled up 116 yards and three touchdowns, helping WSU take a 28-0 lead into the intermission and hold on the rest of the way.

Ward completed 22 of 37 passes for 219 yards for the Cougs, who used that win to become bowl-eligible for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.