SB Nation - Marshall Lobbestael

AUDIO: CougCenter Podcast, Episode 16 - Football Wrap

Nuss — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:21:08 -0000

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

Is there a chance these sorts of scenes could be fewer and farther in between next year? We think so.

Before we put this football season completely in the rearview mirror, just one last order of business: The final football podcast until August. We briefly look back at this train wreck of a season, but spend most of our time looking to the future and discussing just what it is that this team needs to do to take a step forward next season and in 2011.

As usual you can listen to the audio via the player below, or visit our podcast page for myriad subscription options. You can also find us in the iTunes directory under keyword "CougCenter." The advantage of subscribing? Besides having the audio directly delivered to your player of choice, I often upload the audio to the podcast site before posting it here -- this podcast was uploaded last night, so those of you with subscriptions have had access to this for the better part of 12 hours.

Also, be on the lookout for our next podcast, coming at you on Wednesday. We'll focus specifically on hoops, debriefing the Great Alaska Shootout and previewing the matchups with Gonzaga and Kansas State.

Poll

Your expectation for wins next year?

Two or fewer

64 votes

Three or four

123 votes

Five or more

16 votes

203 votes | Poll has closed

AUDIO: Paul Wulff press conference, 11-24-09

Nuss — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:48:01 -0000

Paul Wulff's weekly Tuesday teleconference with reporters -- Apple Cup style. Lots of genuflecting, which I'm pretty sure I don't like. But if there's one thing I admire about Wulff, it's that he is absolutely resolute. Pretty remarkable considering what we've been through the past two years.

One item of note that came up: Wulff called Jeff Tuel's chances of playing "remote." Bummer.

Additionally, one reporter made what I can only assume was a joke when he asked a question about the Cougs' substitution patterns on defense. Only nobody laughed until Jim Moore asked Wulff if he had any trick plays in the plan for this weekend. Apparently, asking a coach about their gameplan is dumb. Who knew?

UCLA 43, Washington State 7

Grady. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:07:28 -0000

More photos » by Dean Hare - AP

WSU just made this man look like Peyton Manning and pre-dogfight Mike Vick.

Browse more photos »

Ugh.

Just awards tonight.

Player of the Game: Kevin Lopina. 7/14, 102 yds, 1 TD versus 0 INT. Also 33 yards on 4 rushing attempts, and we'll forget about his fumble momentarily.

Unsung Hero: Jeffrey Solomon earns his first award by being the only Cougar to reach the end zone, and the only receiver to catch more than one pass. Finished with two receptions for 54 yards.

It was over when... Chane Moline capped off the Marshall Lobbestael interceptionfest with a two yard run to put the Bruins up 14-0. With 5:16 left to play in the first.

Play of the Game: The 46-yard Lopina to Solomon touchdown pass. I can't remember anything else positive happening in this game.

Lowlight of the Game: The absolutely unacceptable 68 yard touchdown run by UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince. Like I typed from the stadium in the gamethread, sometimes it's like Paul Wulff wants me be in favor of firing him.

Stat of the Game: Total yards: UCLA 557, WSU 180. And this was not in Southern California weather.

Spaulding Roundup: Are We Ready For A "Cold" Palouse?

Nestor — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:12:23 -0000

If you haven't had the chance to do it you should listen to the podcast Ryan and Josh did last night going over UCLA's game against Washington State. They also hosted Nuss from CougCenter to preview the Cougars, who graciously offered his perspectives on what can expect tomorrow. There is no sugar coating the kind of dismal season Cougars have had in recent years. Given the circumstances it is pretty damn admirable how Nuss and his colleagues are sticking with the program through their darkest of hours. While he is being realistic about the Cougars' chances tomorrow, on our end I can't help but feel worried about our mindset heading into Palouse.

We have talked all week about how Palouse hasn't been a great place for UCLA football. Yes, we did experience a sort of miracle in 2005 when we won the game despite the "leadership" of Karl Dorrell. Except for that game though Martin Stadium has been a house of horrors. In the back of my mind I can't help but be worried about the mindset of a UCLA program which seems to have a tendency to read too much of its press clippings, when news/momentum breaks its way. There is also the weather factor for a Southern California based football team. Ted Miller from WWL writes:

If there were any arguments in favor of the Cougars notching the upset, weather would be a major factor -- particularly against a warm-weather team like UCLA.

"It depends on how cold it is on the day you play," Wulff said. "It could. No question it could."

The Cougars are just glad to be home. They've played five of their last six games on the road against five ranked teams.

As pointed out earlier this week Cougars also have Dwight Tardy who tore up the UCLA defense last time we visited Pullman couple of years ago. Our rush defense has been abysmal in recent weeks. It will be imperative for our front-7 to step up and make a statement early on against a Cougar team, which will try to build on any signs of life it can muster up in the early stages of the game. We just can't afford to give those guys any sense of hope or momentum in the first quarter. More after the jump.

Nuss noted last night that it looks like Cougars will be indeed with our freshman QB Jeff Tuel tomorrow. Tuel has given them a spark this season. The Spokesman Review wrote about how the Cougars (kind of like the Bruins) have gone through their own QB carousel this year:

The Cougars (1-8, 0-6 Pac-10) have used three starting quarterbacks this season: senior Kevin Lopina, who was the opening day quarterback; sophomore Marshall Lobbestael, who took over in the third game; and freshman Jeff Tuel, who earned the job in the fifth game and has kept it since.

But Tuel was sidelined in last week’s defeat to Arizona with a slight dislocation of his kneecap and probably will not be available against UCLA (4-5, 1-5) Saturday.

Lobbestael relieved and hooked up with Karstetter on a 64-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown that was a direct result of both being "on the same page."

A play was called. Lobbestael changed it. Karstetter studied the coverage and signaled a new route. Reading the change, Lobbestael lofted the ball out front, Karstetter snatched it with one hand, shed the defender and scored.

It was Karstetter’s sixth touchdown reception – he’s tied with James Rodgers of Oregon State for the Pac-10 lead – and third in three games.

"It was a great play, but I have complete confidence, Jeff and I and any of the quarterbacks, we all have complete trust in all the receivers," Lobbestael said.

Again it's worth repeating: Bruins are not in position to get comfortable against any team at this point of their rebuilding process. Lobbestale and Karstetter, I am sure have taken note of how opposing QBs have gone directly after ATV (who has been dealing with some injury issues) and Sheldon Price. So our guys better be locked in and ready.

Lastly, I will end with a quick note on the offensive side. It looks like Junior offensive lineman Jake Dean will get the start at right guard, with junior Darius Savage rotating in, in place of junior Ryan Taylor. Hopefully Jake can step up the same way Taylor did in last two weeks. We will need our OL to give Prince the same protection they have provided in last two weeks. It has played a huge role in Prince's emergence has a productive passer. Let's hope they can all stay in rhythm tomorrow afternoon in the Palouse.

GO BRUINS.

OPPONENT PREVIEW: UCLA Bruins (with audio!)

Dancing Football — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:24:40 -0000

More photos » by Reed Saxon - AP

UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince has been limited due to injury at times this season. Even if he isn't able to go on Saturday, it probably won't make much of a difference.

Browse more photos »

Head Coach: Rick Neuheisel

Record: 4-5 (1-5)

Offense: 20.3 PPG, 5.1 YPP

Like many of their Pac 10 brethren, the UCLA Bruins have chosen to go with youth at the quarterback position. Freshman Kevin Prince was named the starter at the beginning of the season over senior Kevin Craft. Craft still has had opportunities throughout the season, as Prince has missed time due to injury. In that time, Craft has put up numbers that are very comparable to Prince's.

Name	Att	Comp	Pct.	Yards	Yards/Att	Int	TD
Kevin Prince	184	105	57.1	1264	6.9	5	5
Kevin Craft	89	51	57.3	624	7.0	2	2

In fact, the numbers are nearly identical. The two combined for over 300 yards in UCLA's last game vs. Washington and Prince three for over 300 against Oregon State two weeks ago, so it appears the Bruins may be hitting their stride in the passing game. Expect Prince to start on Saturday, as he returned to practice Tuesday after suffering an injury against the Huskies, but if Craft is forced to play there shouldn't be too much of a drop off.

The Bruin passing game has been forced to carry the offense so far this season, as the running game has struggled mightily. UCLA is picking up just 3.16 yards per carry. In an effort to improve, Neuheisel has named Sophomore Derrick Coleman the starting running back for Saturday's game against the Cougs. The Bruins should expect to see an improvement this week, as Washington State usually brings out the best in their opponents.

Going forward, changing the running back may not be the solution UCLA is looking for. Looking at the stats, it appears the offensive line has struggled, giving up 25 sacks on the season and that small yards per carry average quote above.

Whoever the starting quarterback is for UCLA is on Saturday, they should enjoy success. WSU has shown little ability to get in the backfield, and the they should have the time in the world to throw. Moving the ball on the ground should not be a difficult task either against Wazzu's depleted defensive line.

Defense: 23.0 PPG, 5.3 YPP

UCLA's defense has looked very stout at times, but overall is right around the nation's average in yards per play. They are not the dominating force that Paul Wulff made them out to be in his presser this week, but they do force turnovers and they do well against the passing game.

One of the players that has been key in pass defense and forcing turnovers is sophomore free safety Rahim Moore. He has been able to pick off a remarkable eight passes and also leads the UCLA with six pass breakups.

While Moore has been spectacular, Brian Price is man to watch for the Bruins on defense. At tackle, he is one of the top defensive players in the nation. He uses his 6'2". 300 pound frame to overpower offensive guards and also has a suprising amount of quickness and agility. He has used all this to rack up 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks so far in 2009. Price will be in the Washington State backfield early and often on Saturday.

As is the norm, the Washington State offense will struggle on Saturday against a bigger and more athletic UCLA defense. Look for either Jeff Tuel or Marshall Lobbestael to be running for their lives and Dwight Tardy and company to struggle for yardage.

UCLA is in trouble with: Kenny Alfred is somehow able to neutralize Brian Price, freeing up the running game and giving Cougar quarterbacks more time to throw. Also, UCLA turns the ball over five times or more and the Cougs are able to turn at least two of those into scores. Then, we may have a game on our hands.

From the other side ...

For this week's interview with the opponent, Nuss caught up with Ryan Rosenblatt (aka ryebreadraz) from BruinsNation.com. Topics covered include the chances the Bruins stub their collective toe in Pullman, how the UCLA offense seems to be coming together, and what a beast Price is.

And as a reminder, you can subscribe to us on iTunes (why wouldn't you want to carry our pretty little voices with you everywhere you go?) or go to our podcast site here for other subscribing options.

Arizona 48, Washington State 7

Grady. — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:02:10 -0000

More photos » by John Miller - AP

Can't read his, can't read his, no you can't read Wulff's poker face

Browse more photos »

In the interest of time, I have decided to make a template for all Cougar football recaps going forward. Just fill in the blanks with the appropriate information:

[Opponent] throttled the Cougars at [Martin Stadium/Opponent's Stadium] Saturday, by a final score of [Opponent 40 or more points] to WSU [14 or less points].

The Cougars got off to a horrific start with [opposing player's name] scoring a touchdown within the first two minutes. The Cougar offense went three-and-out on their first several drives, and couldn't slow down [Opponent] on defense. The result was a score at the end of the first quarter of [Opponent 20 or more points], WSU 0.

WSU suffered even more with [one of our few good player's names] suffering a freak injury in the second quarter. That was added insult to the Cougars who had already lost [key Cougar player 1], [key Cougar player 2] and [key Cougar player 3] prior to the game.

[Opponent's player] had a career [rushing/passing] day, with [250 yards rushing/400 yards passing] and six touchdowns. This was a huge boost to [opponent], who earlier in the season suffered an embarrassing loss to [mediocre Pac-10 team].

By the end of the first half, the game was well in hand for [opponent], leading [30 or more] to [7 or less].

Resting most of their starters after the break, the second half was low scoring, with [opponent] earning two more touchdowns to WSU's one.

WSU had one bright spot - a long passing touchdown reception by [Karstetter/Forzani] late in the second half. Nico Grasu missed the PAT.

The Cougars drop to 1 and [x] overall, and remain winless in conference play.

Next week WSU will play [next opponent]. Vegas has set the early line, with the Cougars as 35 point underdogs.

---

Yep, this is what WSU football has become. Games like this make it very hard to remain a staunch defender of Paul Wulff returning in 2010.

Player of the Game: Marshall Lobbestael. Never thought I'd say that again, but Rock Lobster did a good job filling in for the injured Jeff Tuel: 7 for 11, 103 yards, 9.4 yards per attempt, 1 touchdown and no interceptions.

Unsung Hero: Dwight Tardy. Four carries for 44 yards, an 11 yard/carry average, although 37 of those yards came on one play. He also averaged 19.5 yards per kick return. I still think he deserves more carries.

It was over when... Travis Cobb returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. I'm not sugar coating it this week. This game was over in thirteen seconds. A new record.

Play of the Game: A pretty obvious selection, the 64-yard touchdown pass from Lobbestael to Karstetter with 6:23 to play. Did you know Arizona's within a half game of the Pac-10 conference lead? Yep, doesn't make me feel any better either.

Stat of the Game: 54. As in Arizona's 54 rushing attempts, resulting in 294 yards and a dominating 41:19 time of posession.

AUDIO: Paul Wulff press conference, 11-3-09

Nuss — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:16:02 -0000

Paul Wulff’s gets together with reporters for his weekly Tuesday teleconference, and we've got the audio for you.

Sometimes these are a little boring; this one is not. Lots of interesting information, including a discussion of a slight change in offensive scheme (virtually all shotgun against Notre Dame, something I noticed), an update on injuries, what Arizona will try to do against the Cougs, and more.

Audio graciously provided by the Washington State University Sports Information Department.

Yep, Jeff Tuel is still awesome

Grady. — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:22:39 -0000

More photos » by BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI - AP

Your leaping does not intimidate Jeff Tuel

Browse more photos »

You may be thinking after last night's 40-14 loss and two touchdown, two interception performance: "Nothing's going right!!! Even our savior Jeff Tuel isn't that good!!! What's Robb Akey's cell phone number!?!?!"

Well, hang on.

Tuel is still a big step above our other options at QB. He's no Reid Forrest, but he should still be our starting quarterback the rest of the way. Observe (best viewed in widescreen mode): [h/t cfbstats.com]

	Name	Yr	Pos	G	Att	Comp	Pct.	Yards	Yards/Att	Int	TD
1	Jeff Tuel	FR	QB	5	111	66	59.5	766	6.9	5	6
2	Marshall Lobbestael	SO	QB	6	105	49	46.7	475	4.5	5	2
3	Kevin Lopina	SR	QB	4	48	28	58.3	313	6.5	2	1

Even with a less-than-stellar performance against Notre Dame, Tuel still tops our other quarterbacks in virtually every statistical category you can think of. This, from a true freshman, whom we weren't sure had the size or the capabilities to really do anything this season but gain experience.

Plus, you can see the difference on the field. Tuel's more mobile, more accurate, and seems to have a better command of the offense than the two guys who have more experience. Plus, Tuel's numbers are even more impressive when you consider the teams he's played (USC, Oregon, ASU, Cal, ND) versus those Lopinastael have played (Stanford, Hawai'i, SMU). Seriously, though: four out of the five teams JT's played are currently ranked!

Now, before you get too excited about the final three games, remember that Notre Dame's pass defense is awful (105th coming into last night's game - 8.2 YPA allowed), and one would've hoped that Tuel would've torn it to shreds. Still, Tuel gets to face an even worse Washington pass defense (109th, 8.4 YPA allowed) and a mediocre Oregon State pass defense (58th, 6.8 YPAA) before the season is out. Arizona and UCLA are better (both 34th before yesterday's action), so don't expect a breakout performance in either of those.

Still, Jeff Tuel is a promising young QB. One of the few good reasons left to watch the remainder of the Cougar football season.

SECOND QUARTER GRADES: Quarterbacks

Grady. — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:57:58 -0000

More photos » by Dean Hare - AP

It's Tuel time!!!! Get it? I'm shocked no one else in the world has utilized that pun yet.

Browse more photos »

FIRST QUARTER GRADE: C+

SECOND QUARTER GRADE: C-

STATS:

Game 4 - USC

Tuel: 14/22, 130 yds, 1 INT, 5.9 yards per attempt (YPA)
Lobster: 2/9, 14 yds, 1.6 YPA

Game 5 - Oregon

Lobster: 7/13, 48 yds, 2 INT, 3.7 YPA
Tuel: 1/2, 3 yds, 1.5 YPA

Game 6 - ASU

Tuel: 11/22, 175 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT, 8 YPA
Lobster: 6/12, 60 yds, 5 YPA

TOTALS

Tuel: 32/57 (56%), 308 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT, 5.4 YPA
Lobbestael: 9/23 (39%), 122 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT, 5.3 YPA
Lopina (pictured below): 0/0, 0 yds, 0 TD, 0 INT, 0 YPA

Comments: Why not a failing grade? Well, for one, like pretty much everyone, I'm a Jeff Tuel homer. Also, if you check the stats from both Marshall Lobbestael and Tuel in the ASU game, they were pretty darn serviceable. In fact, I would say the two interceptions tossed by Tuel in that game had more to do with the fact his offensive line was getting blown up around him. Granted, he succumbed to the pressure, but he's still a true freshman and mistakes are very understandable. Hopefully he learns from them, and improves. At the moment, he already seems to be progressing more than the elder Lobbestael.

Speaking of Ocho Rojo, we've been in search of an effective Lobbestael for quite some time, and he doesn't seem to be coming. His 5.3 yards per attempt is close to Tuel's, but it's based off a much smaller sample size. His accuracy is more worrisome - you can see it on his throws and on the stat sheet with a 39% completion percentage and a 0:1 TD:INT ratio. For the year Lobbestael is completing 46.7% of his passes - it's troubling to see him regressing even with a couple of games under his belt. Unlike my co-bloggers, I still believe there's hope that Lobbestael can be an effective Pac-10 quarterback. But it's going to take time, and at the moment it looks like Tuel is just as effective. Not to mention the hope that JT has the higher upside.

So, let's talk about Tuel. We have, yet again, a small sample size thanks to his injury against Oregon and the fact he came on in relief against USC. The second half against ASU was his breakout performance: two touchdowns, including his school-record 99 yarder to Johnny Forzani. That against no interceptions, keeping the Cougs within striking distance against one of the better defenses in the conference (not to mention a defense that guaranteed he'd have no help from the run game). His 5.4 YPA is something to get concerned about, however. It's less than the team yards per attempt (5.7), and 109 teams in the FBS currently have averaged higher YPA during the season. Still, nothing to panic about. Yet.

He's no Jake Locker, but Tuel has mobility. The only issue so far seems to be - and this was especially true in the first half against the Devils - he hasn't learned yet to keep looking downfield when he's forced out of the pocket. Several times already he's taken off and run for minimal gains when the better decision is to try and get the ball downfield. He needs to be especially careful when you consider injuries are common among scrambling quarterbacks that aren't afraid to take a hit. JT's also struggled with decision making under pressure, something any true freshman would. That aspect of his game will improve, but for now Wulff may need to simplify things for him in the offense, and try to let Dwight Tardy and the run game set up the pass.

How to improve the grade: The number one thing is getting a positive touchdown to interception ratio. Number two is finding receivers deep, at the least in the 10-20 yard range, and getting that yards per attempt average up. In fact, it scares me how low Tuel's average is, even with the whole 99-yards-on-one-pass advantage he has. If we can find any effectiveness (or healthiness) out of Kevin Lopina or Lobbestael, great. Although it doesn't necessarily help us going forward. The remainder of the season is still all about getting Tuel experience and making him prepared for his future as a Pac-10 starting quarterback. It's not going to be easy, but the best teams in the conference (minus Cal) are now behind us. There's no reason to think Tuel can't have success and turn some heads in the final six games. Just please please please no one get hurt.

Arizona State 27, Washington State 14

Grady. — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:44:03 -0000

More photos » by Dean Hare - AP

Washington State head coach Paul Wulff, left, warmly embraces the most hated man in Idaho, Dennis Erickson, after an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. Arizona State won 27-14. (AP Photo/Dean Hare)

Browse more photos »

A few steps forward. A few steps back.

In the end, this game played out the way most of us expected. Two anemic offenses and one stellar defense giving us an ugly game, but also a closer game than we're used to seeing. As one would expect, the stellar defense won out. ASU was too much to handle, with Vontaze Burfict, Mike Nixon, and co. dominating this game from the opening snap. The Cougs faced one of the best rushing defenses in the country, and boy did it show - between numerous tackles for losses, broken plays and sacks, the Cougars ended up with negative 54 yards rushing. Negative 54.

The Cougars had their opportunities in the first half, but failed to capitalize. Reid Forrest's fake punt conversion for a first down brought some life to the offense, but no points following a Jeff Tuel interception. ASU had three turnovers in the first 30 minutes, but the Cougars couldn't convert even one of those into a score. Tuel struggled under pressure: the Devils had six sacks in the first half, and forced their fair share of hurries and bad decisions which led to Tuel's two picks. Marshall Lobbestael brought some brief stability to the Cougar offense in relief, but a fumble by Daniel Blackledge - on a catch that should have resulted in a first down deep in ASU territory - ended the threat. ASU sealed the half by running their two-minute offense to perfection. The result was a 13-0 halftime deficit that had to make the Cougars feel like banging their heads against a wall.

The second half saw improvement, but not immediately. ASU made a huge gain on a reverse to set up a nine yard touchdown run that left WSU back against the ropes. It took some turnovers - the Cougs forced six total - and the re-emergence of Jeff Tuel to get the Cougs back into it. Andy Mattingly's interception deep in ASU territory was the big break Wazzu needed. It set up Tuel's first TD, which wasn't exactly a thing of beauty. Intended for Daniel Blackledge - who was, at least in this writer's opinion, being interfered with - the ball came up short and into the opportunistic hands of Jared Karstetter, who made a beautiful adjustment for the six. That fired up both sides of the ball, and the Cougars were back in business down 19-7.

Then, the blunder. For most of the game, Reid Forrest had been rolling out to make rugby style kicks, like he used to do at the start of his career. Earlier in the game, though, he found a seam and was able to convert a first down that gave the Cougars some much-needed momentum. Yet again, in the second half, it looked for a moment like Forrest had a seam to the outside. But Arizona State wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. They stayed at home, and Forrest booted the ball out of desperation past the line of scrimmage. The result was a penalty that gave ASU exceptional field position. Field position that was converted into a Cameron Marshall TD run and a way-too-easy two-point conversion. 27-7.

Still, the Cougs weren't done. Although for a moment it looked like things were getting worse. A kickoff was fumbled out of bounds at the five, followed up immediately by a near-safety (and another play for a loss). That's when Wulff made a bold play call that would re-write the WSU record books. Jeff Tuel stepped back in his own end zone, and fired off a bullet to Johnny Forzani in single coverage. Forzani broke free, and the rest, literally, was history. 99 yards later Tuel had converted his first huge play as a Cougar. 27-14 after the PAT from Grasu.

But the ASU defense didn't bend from there, stuffing the Cougar offense on their remaining drives in the game. ASU's running game awoke to run out the clock, and that was it.

The Cougs had forced six turnovers, but committed four of their own. They made big plays on defense, but failed to prevent the struggling ASU quarterbacks from reaching the end zone. The Cougar offense was horrible: 181 total yards, numerous losses and penalties, but also 99 on one play and two passing touchdowns from our QB of the future. It was a game with a lot of positives, but a lot of negatives as well.

The best thing I can say is that this game definitely gives us something to build on. The defense made key plays, tackled well and only let one big play - the reverse - burn them. The offense struggled in the first half but Jeff Tuel's benching woke him up to the tune of two passing touchdowns and a play that cements his place in the WSU record book (as well as the NCAA, since you can't have a longer pass play than 99 yards).

Player of the Game: Louis Bland. It's tempting to go with Tuel, or Karstetter, but the only fireworks from the offense came in the second half. The Cougar defense came to play the whole game, and with Bland's eight tackles, one interception, one tackle for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble, he was the anchor of a revitalized squad. I understand the ASU offense is bad, but you don't force six turnovers by accident. Bland, Mattingly, Long and the defensive backfield kept both the run and pass in check for the majority of this game, with only receiver Kyle Williams burning us for big numbers. I saw numerous plays today that would have been big gains or touchdowns last year. Now, the defense is covering their gaps, running down ball carriers, and keeping things in front of them. It's a noticeable improvement, and credit Bland as the centerpiece today.

Unsung hero: Jared Karstetter. The adjustment he made to catch the third quarter touchdown was huge. Furthermore, he continues to be the security blanket for the quarterbacks that Jeshua Anderson couldn't be. Tonight, he grabbed four balls for forty-five yards and made himself an available target for Jeff Tuel throughout the game. Now if only Tuel had the pass protection to get it to him.

Play of the Game: The longest pass play in school history, Jeff Tuel to Johnny Forzani for 99 yards and a TD. I always feel better about the Paul Wulff era when I remember that it's mostly his recruits making the big plays and giving us some hope for the future.

B.S. Call of the Game: Oh, there were many. Mostly against us, but a couple against ASU too. There were many penalties in general, deserved or not. But the offensive pass interference call on Daniel Blackledge was completely nonsensical. Not to mention a momentum killer.

It was over when... Cameron Marshall ran 10 yards for an ASU touchdown with 12:25 to play; following the botched fake punt.

Stat of the Game: WSU forced six turnovers. And we still lost. Probably because of the four turnovers of our own, making for ten (!) total. Although, that -54 rushing yards stat still makes me cringe.

If you haven't voted in Nuss' poll below yet, do it. My vote is that it was a positive step in the right direction, but I'm interested to know what the rest of Coug Nation thinks. Of course you're always welcome to expand on your thoughts in the comments.

Enjoy the bye week - only six days until Midnight Mayhem.