Today, our Cougies fell to the Oregon Ducks 43-23 at Martin Stadium.
Three stories were evident in this one.
First, our Cougs gave a big F-YOU to pseudo-prognosticators like myself in not only NOT giving up 70+ points, but in so doing covered, AND held Oregon below their season average point total.
Second: WE WERE ELEVEN YARDS from, dare I say it, history?
In case you missed it, down 36-23, we recovered a LaMichael James fumble that followed a 40 yard run.
When we got the ball back, Marquess Wilson dropped a sure fire touchdown pass from Jeff Tuel. On the next play, however, Tuel found Kars on a beautiful sideline fade that left us 1st and 10 at Oregon’s 11 without about 2:00 left in the third.
But alas, Tuel then threw an interception that negated our chance to make the game 36-30 to start the fourth quarter. And if that had happened, then we were squarely on the door step of history.
But to reiterate: we were 11 yards from making the game 36-30 to START THE 4th.
Third: ALL of this happened while Oregon was auditioning for a #1 National Ranking. In short, we took their best shot and hung in there. When you compare that performance to the last two, well, you think we’re improved???
In the end, our Cougs gained some respect–hopefully from our fans, but certainly from theirs. Oregon left the game nothing short of the walking wounded. Moreover, as Oregon’s lead announcer said at the end of the telecast:
“I’m going to make the prediction right now that Washington State will beat someone before the season is over.”
So, there you have it. A competitive game through three quarters. An offense that continues to move the ball–and at times RUN the ball. A defense that still has a long way to go, but is showing much more speed and physicality from top to bottom.
And a few words to Bill Moos:
GIVE WULFF HIS FIFTH YEAR RIGHT NOW!
And congrats to the kids for putting on a performance worthy of homecoming.
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