Alongside their rivals from Seattle, Washington State is tied for last place in the Pacific-10
Conference going into Saturday’s game with Oregon. The Cougars have lost six straight since starting the season 3-0 capped by their last non-conference win, a 48-7 routing of Division I-AA powerhouse Grambling State Sept. 17.
Second-year head coach Bill Doba’s squad has seen better years, but its record (3-6 overall, 0-6 Pac-10) does not say everything about its season. For starters, four of the Cougars’ losses have been by less than one touchdown and in six of their games, they scored more than 30 points; the offense is pulling its weight.
Last week Arizona State came into Martin Stadium with a 24-10 lead after halftime, but had to hold off a late rally by Washington State and quarterback Alex Brink. The sophomore from Eugene brought the Cougars within a field goal of knotting the game after connecting with Jason Hill for a 49-yard touchdown pass with 3:32 remaining in the third quarter. From there, the Washington State offense once again went cold in the final frame and the Cougars fell 27-24. Despite their goose egg in the fourth quarter, Doba was proud of the way his team played in the second half.
“Our kids battled their butt off,” Doba said. “They gave it everything they had. I thought they played decent in the second half, better than we have been playing.”
Brink and the offense racked up 506 yards on the Sun Devils’ defense. Washington State running back Jerome Harrison eclipsed the 200-yard mark for the third time this year. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in every game in 2005. Harrison ended with 240 yards on the ground against Arizona State and scored on runs of 61 and seven yards. He had 19 receiving yards as well.
Brink had a turnover-free game passing for 283 yards. His most-thrown-to wide receiver Hill caught four passes for just less than 100 yards.
The Cougars’ defense intercepted quarterback Rudy Carpenter once, but surrendered 381 passing yards and two touchdowns to the freshman filling in for the injured Sam Keller.
This weekend’s game is the last warmup for Washington State before the annual Apple Cup against rival Washington. Should both teams win or lose Saturday, the 2005 Apple Cup will have the final say in who takes 10th place in the conference.
Next time, kick it
The Cougars had their best chance to tie last week’s game in the fourth quarter when kicker Loren Langley’s 25-yard field goal was refused by Doba after an Arizona State defender jumped offside resulting in a fourth and one situation. Doba waved off his field goal team and sent his offense to get the first down. Brink handed off to Harrison on the ensuing play, who was stuffed for a loss giving the Sun Devils the ball and eventually the win.
“I took points off. I had confidence in that offense,” Doba said. “I was told it was a yard, I thought sure we could make it. I just wanted to win with these guys and give them a chance to win.”
Where there’s a will…
Washington State was again without linebacker Will Derting for last Saturday’s game. The senior from Okanogan, Wash., played an integral part in last year’s defense, but sat out this season with injury. His absence is most noticeable in the Cougars’ play against the run. Last Saturday, the defense gave up 124 rushing yards to Arizona State, who helped sink Washington State to seventh in the Pac-10 in rush defense.
Derting isn’t expected to play Saturday against Oregon.
Forgetting to finish
The Cougars have scored just 51 points in the fourth quarter in 2005. They have twice failed to put any points on the board in the final frame.
Conference leaders
Harrison and Hill top the Pac-10 in rushing yards and receiving yards per game, respectively, and have led the Cougars to a third-place standing for total offense in the conference. Washington State has the third-most offensive yards in the Pac-10 behind No. 1 USC and California.

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