WEEK 1 RECAP
WSU coming off a disappointing Week 0 loss @ Missouri continued their road trip to Fresno State to kick off Pac-12 play.. WSU came up short against the Bulldogs last year and Coach Kirby Moore was looking to get revenge against another of his former teams. The Bulldogs were coming off a (38-10) win over UC Davis (FCS West) as SR QB Adian Armenta throws for 371 yds with 4 TD and 1 INT.
WSU would open up the game on offfense asMalachi Nelson leads the Cougars offense, showing no ill effects from an injury that saw him leave midway through the 4th Quarter loss to the Tigers. Nelson leads a pair of scoring drives to open up the game including a 33 yd pass to Lester Creer and a 70 yd screen pass to Iowa State transfer Brevin Doll to put the Cougars up (14-0).
Fresno State would open up the 2nd Quarter scoring with a 16 yd touchdown pass from Adian Armenta to Ismael Cisse to make things (14-7) but WSU would extend their lead to (17-7) as Adali Lousnsbury connects on a 45 yd FG.. Lounsbury had a chance to extend the lead again as he attempted a career long 50 yd FG with under a minute to play in the half but Fresno State would block the kick and then attempt their own 50+ yd attempt as Earl Lincoln connects from 53 yds out to make it (17-10) going into the locker room.
Nelson would finish the half 15/28 for 229 yds with the 2 TD.
Doll ended the 1st half with 6 carries for 18 yd well also leading the team with 5 rec for 110 yds including the 70 yd score.. Creer added 4 rec for 67 yds including his 33 yd touchdown.
Fresno State finished the half with just 21 yds rushing on 17 carries (1.2 avg)
Fresno State opened up the 2nd half with the ball but would turn the ball over on downs leading to Brevin Doll 10 yd touchdown run as WSU extends their lead to (24-10). Still leading (24-10) going into the 4th, Nelson would throw a INT that would lead to a Bulldog touchdown as Amenta finds Cisse for touchdown #2 (18 yds) as Fresno makes it (24-17) early in the 4th.. Nelson however would bounce back from the turnover with a pair of 4th Quarter scores to Lester Creer as the Cougars #1 WR scores the hat trick with a 3 touchdown day. Fresno would turn the ball over 2 more times on 4th down through the 4th and ended the day punting the ball 9 times..
Armenta finished the day 27/54 (50%) for 303 yds with the 2 TD’s but was also sacked 8 times by the Cougar Defense.
FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON STATE-38 FRESNO STATE-17
KEY COUGARSQB M. Nelson-30/53 (56%) 371 yds 4 TD 1 INT, 29 yds rushing (sacked twice)
RB A. Abbott-21 carries 84 yds (4.0 avg), 1 rec 10 yds
RB B. Doll-11 carries 26 yds (2.4 avg) 1 TD, 6 rec 118 yds 1 TD
RB L. Pulalasi-10 carries 24 yds (2.4 avg)
WR L. Creer-8 rec 106 yds 3 TD
WR C. Pabst-7 rec 44 yds
WR D. James-3 rec 39 yds
TE M. Williams-3 rec 32 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-1 rec 10 yds
Defense-12 TFL 8 Sacks
OFFENSE OUTLOOK
With Pulalasi and Doll struggling in the run game, SO Antonio Abbott played the majority of the 2nd half and responded with a big day.. Doll continues to be a major weapon out of the backfield especially on half back screens showing off his (93 speed rating). Creer continues to do Creer things showing he he not just the best WR at Washington State but potentially the nation.. Nelson is looking like a solid pickup, well he isn't as fast as Sheppard he sill has great running ability and that needs to be utilized more often.
DEFENSE OUTLOOK
Well the Defense didn't generate a INT or a Fumble they did have a record high 8 sacks since the arrival of Coach Moore. including a 4 TFL 3.0 sack day by Malachi Wrice and a 3 TFL and 2.0 Sack day by transfer DT Bryce Butler.
The Defense was hit by another injury as backup CB Kenny Worthy III leaves the game with a Partial MCL Tear that will see him miss the next 10 weeks.
*The injury leaves just 3 healthy CB's on the roster which could result in one of current trio of Freshman redshirting coming off their redshirts for 4 games a piece to fill in as depth pieces.
UP NEXT
(1-1) WSU will to Pullman and Martin Field as the Cougars kickoff their home opener vs (1-0) Nevada. The Wolfpack are coming off a (34-7) win over UTEP in Week 1.
