"Moore to the Story" The Next Chapter in Cougar Football

[Deuce2223]

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WEEK 4 RECAP

The 1st Quarter started out like 2 heavy weight fighters just throwing some jabs to test their opponents looking for the opportunity to land the big blow.

WSU would settle for a 43 yd FG with 4:28 to play to put the first points on the scoreboard.. The Cougar Defense then followed up that score with the first big blow of the game as they force a fumble that sets up the Offense inside the redzone and 3 players player Loyd finds TE Fetu Ersua for a 5 yd score as WSU extends their lead to (10-0) with 2:13 to play in the opening quarter.

WSU would dominate the 2nd Quarter scoring 3 times including a pair of touchdowns from Calvin (Loyd) to Calvin (Wayne) to extend the lead yet again and with 2:59 to play Morris Owens made it (31-0) as the Alabama crowd went silent.

The Tide would rally in the final 3 minutes though finally finding the endzone as Freshman RB Chuck Lewis (85) caps off a 10 play drive with a 3 yd touchdown run. Lewis led the Tide with 4 carries for 33 yds.

For Calvin Loyd the 1st half was his Heisman coming out party, as the Senior QB finished the half 21/31 (67%) for 308 yds and 3 touchdowns, despite being sacked 5 times.

Loyd wasn’t the only Cougar to have a big 1st half. RB Clint Powell bounced back from his lingering injuries to lead the team with 10 carries for 52 yds and tied Wayne with 6 rec for 50 yds as he goes over 100 yds of total offense on the day. Wayne ended the half with 6 rec for 122 yds and the 2 scores and TE Fetu Ursua added 96 yds on 5 receptions including his score.

Alabama opened up the 2nd half with the ball and quickly scored to make it (31-14). Then after a failed 4th down conversion by the Cougars, the Tide rolled down and scored again making it (31-21) breathing some life back into the crowd.

WSU however would put together a 13 play drive ending in a 16 yd touchdown pass to Johnny Ivory for Loyd’s 4th TD of the game to extend the lead to (38-21) going into the 4th.

Despite the 17 point lead, Coach Moore knew he needed to keep his foot on the gas pedal and continued to have Loyd light up the Alabama secondary as Loyd throws a pair of touchdown passes to Oscar Paul including a 26 yd strike where he just blows past his 1 on 1 coverage on the outside.

Alabama would manage a late FG to close out the game but the damage was done..

WASHINGTON STATE-53 ALABAMA-23

KEY COUGARS
QB - C Loyd-30/46 (65%) 419 yds 6 TD 23 yds rushing (was sacked 5 times)
RB C. Powell-12 carries 97 yds, 7 rec 55 yds
RB M. Owens-18 carries 56 yds 1 TD
RB M. Boulware-7 carries 26 yds
WR C. Wayne-7 rec 130 yds 2 TD
WR O. Paul-4 rec 62 yds 2 TD
WR J. Ivory-4 rec 45 yds 1 TD
TE F. Urusa-7 rec 110 yds
CB C. Hajrullahu-1 INT



UP next WSU moves to 4-0 and closes out non-conference play with a perfect 3-0 record including a pair of Top-25 road wins but still remains #11 in the rankings..

WSU will return to Pac-12 play in Week 5 as they visit #15 (2-1) USC. The Trojans lost their season opener in Week 0 to Notre Dame (24-21) but bounced back to beat Kentucky in Week 1 (24-14) and then after a Week 2 Bye defeated a FCS East (49-7) before taking another "Bye" in Week 4 so they will be coming in well rested.

USC is rated a (94./94/94) so on paper they are actually higher rated then WSU

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 5 RECAP

Washington State's 4-0 start had fan's starting to think that maybe the 2028 National Championship wasn't such a fluke, that just maybe the Cougars were ready to challenge for another title and cement their names among the nation's best yet again. Well after today's performance against USC those questions were answered and not in a good way.

USC jumped out to early (10-7) lead in the first Quarter as QB Calvin Loyd has a pair of touchdowns pass's picked off in the endzone after hitting his intended target in the hands. USC would extend that lead to (38-14 in the 2nd Quarter as Loyd throws 3 more INT's to end the half with his worst performance of his career. (110 yds 2 TD 5 INT on 9/19 (47).

When WSU opened up the 2nd half with the ball it was Redshirt SO Cortez Ottis leading the offense onto the field. Ottis would play a solid opening series leading WSU on a 9 play 80 yd drive ending with touchdown to Wayne to cu the lead to (38-21) but After forcing the Trojans to settle for a FG, Ottis went back to work and found Wayne for touchdown #2 as WSU cut the lead to (41-28) still with over 4 minutes to play in the 3rd.. Looking like there might still be a chance at a comeback despite 5 turnovers, USC was quick to squash any of those ideas as they force a fumble by WR Oscar Paul and then to end the 3rd Quarter it was LB Nick Quaccia coming up with his 3rd INT of the game as he picks off Ottis in the endzone to kill a potential score leaving it (41-28) going into the 4th..

Even though the INT wasn't fully Ottis's fault, Coach Moore elected to turn to Redshirt Freshman Antwan Beaver to close out the 4th but like Loyd and Ottis,, Beaver probably wishes he didn't as he throws the Cougar's 7th INT of the game and then ends another drive with a fumble leading to a pair of Trojan scores.

FINAL SCORE USC-54 WASHINGTON STATE-28

KEY PLAYERS
QB C Loyd-9/19 (47%) 110 yds 2 TD 5 INT, 40 yds rushing
QB C. Ottis-18/34 (52%) 209 yds 2 TD 1 INT, 10 yds rushing
QB A. Beaver-9/18 (50%) 130 yds 1 INT, 1 Fumble, sacked 3 times
RB C. Powell-15 carries 78 yds , 6 rec 54 yds 1 TD
WR C. Wayne-14 rec 166 yds 2 TD
WR O Paul-5 rec 84 yds 1 Fumble
WR J. Ivory-5 rec 48 yds 1 TD
TE F. Ursua-5 rec 90 yds

QB N. Meryl (90 ovr)- 25/34 (73%) 280 yds 3 TD
RB G. Spriggs (94 ovr)- 20 carries 87 yds, 6 rec 35 yds 1 TD
WR D. Oweh (84)-4 rec 77 yds 1 TD
WR K. Ekiyor (89)-6 rec 77 yds
WR H. Whitehurst (84( -6 rec 67 yds
WR T. Keur (87)-3 rec 24 yds 1 TD

LB N. Quaccia 9 tackles 3 INT , 1 Forced Fumble (2 of them turned into pick 6 and the fumble was also returned for a TD)
FS A. Bias-12 tackles 2 INT
SS B. Farris 11 tackles 2 INT (1 pick 6 return)
LB D. Lindsay 6 Tackles, 4 TFL 2 Sacks, 1 Fumble return for touchdown.

UP NEXT
WSU will have the next 2 weeks off for "Byes" and return to action in Week 8 @ Boise State.

With the loss the Cougars drop to #20 in the Rankings.

[marshdaddy]

Is there any drama in the QB room as to who is going to start against Boise State, or will it be back to Loyd?

[redsox907]

oof. an all-around bad performance from the QB room. Time to re-evaluate?

[Deuce2223]

TEAM REPORT

THE REST OF THE WAY

During their 2 weeks off Washington State manage to climb up 2 spots in the rankings to #18. Sitting at (4-1) Overall and 1-1 in Pac-12 play, one would think that the Cougars have a solid shot at returning to the playoffs this season just 2 years removed from their National Championship. However WSU must play @ Boise State in Week 8 and then faces a 3 week schedule against 3 current Top-25 programs #20 UCLA (Week 9) @ #21 BYU (Week 10) and back in Pullman in Week 11 vs #3 Oregon, not to mention home games vs Arizona State, Oregon State and Utah to close out the season.

Coach Moore

"We got off to a great start but USC exposed that this team and our coaching staff still has along way to go.. We can't look ahead.. We have to take it 1 game at a time That start's with Boise who has dropped 3 straight and trust me those guy's are not want to make it 4.."

HEISMAN OR BUST??

SR QB Calvin Loyd had pushed his name into the Heisman talk coming in ranked #3 before the USC game throwing 18 TD's to just 2 INT's. However now after the 5 INT performance Loyd (1681 yards (58%) 20 TD 7 INT, 183 yds 1 TD) must regroup and put Week 5 behind him.

USE YOUR STRENGTH!

For the past 4 seasons Coach Kirby Moore and OC Matt Miller have brought back the high scoring, heavy passing offense back to Pullman that was prolific during the Mike Leach Air Raid years. However part of the Cougars success has been a balanced attack with the ground game.. After pulling in (2) 1000 yd rushers in the off-season out of the Portal, Moore and Miller need to think about dialing up more run plays and playing to a strength that they are maybe ignoring or forgetting about.

Through the 5 games SR Clint Powell has continued to show he is one of the best RB's in the nation (86 carries 481 yds 5.6 avg 1 TD, 28 rec 270 yds 2 TD) well Owens (53 carries 210 yds 4.0 avg 5 TD) and Boulware (32 carries 223 yds 7.0 avg 1 TD) have proven they need more PT.


NEXT MAN UP

WSU has had it's share of 1000 yd receivers over the past 4 years including ending 2028 with 3 players reaching that height. With the graduation of the Cougars Top-5 pass catchers last season, fan's were left wondering who would step up and so far we have seen Calvin Wayne (41 rec 536 yds 9 TD) step into that role but we have also seed Redshirt Sophomore Oscar Paul latch ahold of the #3 role with the injury to Devon Rugamba and he appears ready to make that next leap too.. Paul has 22 rec for 320 yds (14.5 avg) and 5 TD through the first 5 games ..

O-LINE

5* True Freshman Terrance Worrilow through 5 games has played 502 snaps (2nd best on the team) but has given up 4 sacks.(team high) If Worrilow continues to struggle, one has to wonder if Coach Moore will turn to Redshirt Sophomore Glenn Merrick who has yet to play a snap or maybe backup RT JR Javier Bueno.

D-LINE

When the year started SR Stephen Harris and Oregon State transfer Moses Pryor were expected to start at DE with former 4* Marquez Charles (5.5 sacks last season) rotating in. However so far that trio has recorded just 1 sack between them (Harris) yet Resdshirt Senior Jeremiah Makovika listed 4th on the depth chart leads the team with 5.5 sacks. in the first 5 games.. Looks like maybe new DC Scottie Hazelton might want to switch up the depth chart.

SECONDARY

WSU is currently giving up 31.8 PPG which is tied with Utah for 3rd worst in the Pac-12 (San Diego State is 39.3 and Arizona is 34.6) Currently of the Cougars Top-5 tackles, 4 of them are the 4 members of the starting secondary, which in most worlds isn't consider to be the best thing.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK Viliami Strong has attempted 13 FG's through the first 5 weeks connecting on 8 of them 61% He is 4-5 on kicks from 40-49 yds but is currently 0-3 on attempts over 50 yards. Look for Keenan Carr currently handling kickoffs to take over on attempts outside 45 yds.

[Deuce2223]

Is there any drama in the QB room as to who is going to start against Boise State, or will it be back to Loyd?

Loyd is the only one who offers the ability to get outside the pocket and run.. However currently there is some drama on who should be the backup.. Ottis currently leads my list of players unhappy with his currently PT and likely is going to transfer at this point so right now there is a good chance I will only have 1 QB left on my roster next year, so should I find myself losing more games, it might be wise to get more PT for Beaver just so I can see what I will be working with next year.

[Deuce2223]

oof. an all-around bad performance from the QB room. Time to re-evaluate?

You are by far my longest tenure follower, so you know my issues with road games with Top-25 opponents. I am going to give it another game or 2 before I make any rash decisions. Loyd was looking like a Heisman contender before the season, but Ottis is a full green bar on the risk of transfering as he is unhappy with his PT, so right now Beaver might have to get more looks just because it look like he will be my only option. I am currently trailing on both 4* QB on my Big Board, so I just added the highest rated 3* who didn't have a scholarship but I am going to have to hit the portal hard and find at least a backup if not my start next year.

[Deuce2223]

AROUND THE NATION RECAP

The past 2 weeks brought several big changes inside the Top-25 and this past week several even inside the Top-10 as #2 Michigan drops 4 spots in the rankings well on their "Bye" Week.

Here is a look at the new Top-25

#1 (5-0) Penn State
#2 (6-0) Oregon
#3 (5-0) Clemson
#4 (7-0) Oklahoma
#5 (6-0) Tennessee
#6 (5-0) Michigan
#7 (7-0) Notre Dame
#8 (5-1) USC
#9 (4-1) Ohio State
#10 (4-1) Missouri
#11 (5-1) LSU (Was ranked #6 but lost to Tennessee 40-14)
#12 (5-0) Duke
#13 (4-1) Florida
#14 (4-1) MIami
#15 (4-1) Auburn (Was ranked #9 but lost to Georgia 45-13)
#16 (5-0) Baylor (Was #20 but jumped 4 spots)
#17 (4-2) Texas (Was #13 but lost to Oklahoma 38-31)
#18 (4-1) Washington State
#19 (5-1) UNC (Was # 8 but lost to Wake Forest 38-34)
#20 (5-0) UCLA
#21 (4-1) BYU
#22 (4-1) Colorado
#23 (3-3) Georgia
#24 (4-1) Cal (Was #14 but lost 48-7 to Oregon)
#25 (3-2) Alabama (beat TAMU 59-20)

BOISE STATE

For the past 4 years Boise State has pretty much dominated the Pac-12 and been a staple in the Top-25 and in the College Football Playoffs finishing last season with a perfect 12-0 record..

The Broncos started the year 4-0 and were sitting in the Top-10 yet again looking like they would make a push for the Pac-12 title and a playoff berth yet again, but then a flip was switch and BSU has dropped 3 straight Pac-12 matchups losing to Stanford (32-21), UCLA (31-17) and Washington (31-29) with their only Pac-12 win coming over Arizona (45-23).

If BSU can't pull off a win against Washington State in Week 8 any hopes of even a bowl game are starting to be questioned.

BIG TEN

Many people questioned how the departure of Oregon, Washington, USC and UCLA would affect the strength of the Big Ten Conference. Well with 4 teams in the current Top-10 and 3 of these teams undefeated I would say it's still pretty dang good.

HEISMAN TALK

Of the current Top-5 voter getters 4 of them are QB's. However the 1 that isn't should be considered the front runner to win in my opinion. Through 5 games BYU WR Ted Stephen (81 Overall) has 52 rec for 865 yds and 8 TD. Stephen had just 6 rec for 80 yds all season last year for the Cougars.

The Current list of QB's are

Oklahoma SR Vinny Trahan (92)- 2302 yds 22 TD 1 INT, 162 yds rushing 5 TD (3 year starter threw has thrown for over 9000 yds with 87 TD 17 INT)

Clemson JR Devon Goldwire (89)- 2202 yds 18 TD 1 INT, 162 yds rushing 4 TD (Played at UNC last year threw for 3175 yds with 33 TD 6 INT)

SMU SR Trevante Burt (89) 1615 yds 12 TD 3 INT, 245 yds rushing 3 TD (Played at Rutgers last year)

Nebraska Deion Henery (88) 1761 yds 17 TD 2 INT, 210 yds rushing 3 TD (Played at Auburn last year)