Home Football Washington State Post-Game

Washington State Post-Game

118

Entertaining game.

Riley has nine lives. At 5-1 (and likely to be ranked), Eastern Washington is officially forgotten.

Beavs’ offense just overwhelmed the Cougs. People keep talking about the run game, and I was one of them, but this is their identity.

I didn’t learn anything new from this game, but I feel Riley the play caller is an asset, while Riley the coach is a liability. Great play calling this game; maybe the best ever since I’ve been watching the Beavs. Riley will have to keep coming up with wrinkles off all the pass plays for balance since there’s little run game.

The team is building confidence and refining this lethal passing attack each week. I’d like to see what happens when an opponent gets a good pass rush. I feel this game could be a stepping stone, confidence wise, and allow for bigger things down the line.

118 COMMENTS

    • Yeah, if he keeps it up this is a record breaking pass attack. He’s scary good this year… we saw this the first half of last year before he was injured.

  1. As tweeted by Lindsay, “Right before he led the team in 12 hip hip hooray cheers, Mike Riley told his team, “I want them (Wazzu) to hear this!””

    Riley actually does have some competitive bones in his body, just doesn’t let ’em show so much!

    • Was at the game as well. WSU fans were very hospitable, definitely treated better in Pullman than either Seattle or Eugene. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact the two schools are very similar in that they are land grant institutions, have to fight for attention and have extremely arrogant in state rivals they have to hear about all year.

      The ones I talked to pretty much confirmed that, a lot of the times fans of both will root for each other when they aren’t the opponent, or the outcome isn’t directly affecting them.

      I wish them luck this week, obviously.

      Best win by the Beavers so far this year in terms of overall execution and strength of opponent. But let’s not kid ourselves, we should have won every game so far this year, including next week. The real meat comes when Stanford comes to town… Oh, look, another 7:30 start. They doing this to us on purpose?

    • Like Brown and Ward more than Storm right now. They look a lot more sure of themselves and are hitting the hole hard and running with some physicality. Storm looks real unsure of himself

    • Agree. I’d like to see Terron get more work and, also Tyler Anderson. Got to believe the lack of run game will bite the Beavs for sure after next weeks game.

    • Woods is playing out of his true position. He should be a fullback, or in OSU’s system, and H back. Ward and Brown should be getting more carries.

  2. Some initial post game thoughts, happy for the win and for it to be a decisive win.

    Lang’s and Riley free going to have to come up with some creative ways if getting Cook’s the ball. That was a nice wrinkle on the fly sweep in I think the third quarter. I really do think he’ll go pro after this year. And good for him, he’s a legit prospect.

    Next week, there should be very few 4 man rushes on defense. For the most part they were ineffective. I didn’t see many plays with the staying dts iin.

    It was was luck that the defense came up with those picks. Hard to say that it was cause by other factors.

  3. To Angry’s comment about the EWU loss being forgotten……. I’m not forgetting the loss to EWU because it has had negative consequences…… just think of the additional exposure it has denied the program?

    If the Beavers were undefeated they may well be knocking on the door of the Top 10 right now with a Heisman contending QB, you can’t buy that publicity and you have to hold Riley responsible for the missed opportunity, right? Don’t get me wrong, the passing attack is a thing of beauty. I’m just saying I’m not giving Riley a complete pass on losing to an FCS team because of the opportunity the team missed out on.

    • Banker lost that 1st game and Banker has taken years off our lives so far this season, and yes I know that Riley is ultimately responsible for Banker, and we all know Riley is faithful to a fault. But if we had a better defensive coach we would without question be in the top 10. Defense lost the EWU game, and allowed all the following games to be to close for comfort. Offense, as banged up as they have been has not been the problem here, and btw I think the lack of the running game has been more by choice then unable. Why can’t we ever seem to have all the stars align with this team?

    • concur. If you need further evidence, note that UTAH is “ranked” higher in the AP that we are, even after OSU beat them on their field; and with with one more loss than OSU. All that equals this: A loss to an FCS team is the functional equivalent of 3 losses to FBS competition.

  4. Looking forward, After seeing some of UW and UO, I was skeptical this Beaver team can defend their run games or run against them. Also, I see a concern about Riley’s longer-developing plays being successful. As good as OSU”s pass blocking has been, I think Mannion is going to start getting sacked on those plays against teams like UO.

    Stanford definitely looks winnable, if difficult. Utah seemed to attack the outside of the Stanford D, and even use the fly sweep, in ways that OSU does/can also. I think the next four are winnable. Wouldn’t surprise if me if OSU lost to UW but ended up with a better conference record.

    • I have been concerned about the likelihood of Mannion getting sacked against the likes of UO, UW, and Stanford. But after seeing the Utah/Stanford game I’m thinking the Beavs O-line is the real deal (pass blocking only). Seems to me they did a better job in pass protection (vs Utah) than Stanford, and that’s a tall order. Where am I wrong?

      Of course, if Riley could develop a run game that would ease the pressure.

      As for the UW/UO game, I had hoped we’d see Wilcox give a lesson on defending the ucks, didn’t happen. Guess the answer is team speed, open field tackling, and conditioning, not good news for the Beavs.

      • I would disagree with your last point oob. I think the key to defending the ducks is discipline and a good sceme. The sceme is more worrisome to me over the speed and conditioning.

        • Good points, bone. Really, though, it takes all the elements we both have mentioned; they all work together.

          Your thoughts on Mannion’s chances of staying upright vs UW-UO-Stanford?

          • It takes an almost near perfect performance on all levels to slow down the ducks offense. Washington has good team defense and still got rolled I just think that playing with great discipline will benefit more than team speed. But what do I know? there hasn’t been a coach who can stop the ducks and they are a lot more knowledgeable than I

            I still like Mannion’s chances of staying upright. Utah, SDSU, Wazzu all brought a lot of blitzer and we are still I believe in single digits for sacks allowed. That’s really good. I think the screen and draw need to continue to improve to help slow down pass rushes and allow time for the longer developing plays.

          • I hope I am too, not to prove you wrong or me right, I just want the beavers to win. And you are right, the defense isn’t going to get faster 40 times between now and the civil war, but they can become more comfortable within the sceme and make quicker reads and play faster. And throw in good tackling for good measure.

    • It’s always extra nice to travel to an away victory.
      This game reminded me of the byu win last year, right down to the cougar ‘meow’ sound clip they play after every 1st down: competitive till the 4th quarter then wheels completely come off wsu’s wagon and we end up celebrating with the players, band, and Benny in an empty stadium.

  5. Storm Woods has no contact for a couple of weeks, comes back and plays well but gets criticiized. Sheesh. Beavers attack WSU secondary based on real research and they get criticized for not running enough. Sheesh. Secondary comes alive when Cougars are forced to throw down field and still are maligned. Sheesh. Beavers win turn over battle but it is not enough for some folks. Sheesh. Loss to EWU is what it is. Next man up and move on. This is a good story about redemption, as opposed to high society (top ten) envy.

  6. Not Mannion’s best game (which is scary at 493 yards and 4 TD’s), but we showed off why it’s good to win close games early in the season. If nothing else, this team knows how to play in crunch time.

    Still no running game, but the lack of commitment to it was disappointing. We had a good run or two early, then we just decided to run nothing but draws the rest of the way, right into 6 and 7 man rushes.

    What was up with Phillip? He was playing matador most of the night.

    • Realistically,it’s about what I would expect. No signature win as yet, a loss to a FCS school and a near loss to a mid-level Mountain West team. They will need to do some good things in the final five games to get any Top 25 consideration.

    • LOL … you actually think we are top 25, with the sloppy wins we have over lesser competition and a loss to a FCS school? Get real.

      • of course not, but what people like Hopefull Beav are trying to grapple with here is the perceptions game; it’s how you parlay success from week to week and year to year, and mind numbing losses to Sac State and E WA loom far larger in proportion than simply an extra increment in L column

    • Hamlett knee is Doubtful
      Andrews quad confusion is probable, will be limited in practice
      Zach Robinson concussion is Doubtful
      Richard Mullaney turf toe Probable limited in practice
      Tyler Perry shoulder sprain Probable limited this week as well

  7. Angry……what are you talking about? The game hinged on the streak of turnovers by Wazzu. Otherwise its a shoot out, and we might lose. Our offense overwhelmed them only because they kept handing us the ball, in their territory.

    Like someone said, this is our signature this year. Our D allows them to put up scores and only outstanding play by Mannion an Co pulls out a win. Only with Wazzu it wasnt close because they kept turning it over.

  8. Game: They were dominate for most of the game, resilient to the end, yet flat in the first and third quarters. Offense the strength. Thought the OL at times got beat, but protected enough. Special teams continued to be poor. Bad kick protection, bad kickin, and poor coverage on returns (Romaine top tackler?). So you are 5-1, 3-0 and you still have things to improve on. This team hasn’t peaked yet which is good, but they have defined themselves. Great passing offense, no running game and can’t stop the run consistently, but create turnovers.

    Nothing is automatic (see EWU), but a win next week you go to 4-0 with three road wins, have a good tchup against Stanford looming. Stanford shows kinks in their confidence, and their offense is one more suited for out defensive scheme. Then you have Usc again a favorable matchup as their defense looks like it can be thrown upon. Both games at home, and maybe not as formidable as this started? Then you have a very hard road game in Tempe, but that is too far ahead.

    • We dominated most of the game? I recall it 24 all at the end of the third quarter. And but for the Wazzu offense selfdestructing after that, they were looking capable of beating us.

      Folks seem blinded by the final score. We are riding the outstanding offense of Mannion and Co, and are an injury away from that going away. Lets hope for the best but dont act like we are U of O.

      • Yes,”most” is more than half the game, only third quarter did Wsu win. Won the first half, won the 4th quarter, and won the game = dominated for “most” of the game. How does anything I say relate to “don’t act like we are U of O”? Do you think I am suggesting we are equivalent to Uo?

        • We dominated the fourth quarter, but mainly because they imploded……kept turning the ball over.

          The first Q was even, we win the second, they win the third. So at the end of the third Q, its all even, both score and quarters won. So we did not “dominate” most of the game.

          And again…..if they had continued the shootout in the 4th (they were outscoring us in the second half up to then) they might have won it. Yes, we had something to do with the turnovers, but when they do it on every dang possession…?

          UO is a dominant team. We arent. UO generally has beat a team by the end of the first quarter. This was our first blowout, and the dominance didnt happen until the last quarter.

          • Hey……when Wazzu imploded in the 4th, I DID enjoy it. Wow…..and Mannion made every turnover hurt. But dont talk like we dominated that game. At the end of the 3rd, with Wazzu having tied the score by scoring two td’s to our one, second half, it looked like they had made their adjustments and were …comin ON.

            This season is yet to be identified. We havent played a really good team yet, unless Utah counts. And we barely won that one. Can we compete with the good ones? I hope we can…..stay tuned.

          • I disagree with you quite a bit here, but on one point you are very correct. The Beavs once again did not come out to start the third quarter having made adjustments. That never happens.

          • We just blewout Colorado two weeks ago? The last two games have outscored opponents 96-41. That is NOT intended to be a comparison towards the Uo.

      • Game ended on that fake punt thing. WSU self-destructed after that, handed OSU the ball, and they executed on offense. The teams were evenly matched as evidenced by the first 3 quarters.

        • And the first 3 quarters still left plenty to be concerned about with the Beavs defense. They won’t have a chance to beat the big 3 teams left on the schedule if it’s contingent on the other team collapsing and giving up turnovers. The D will have to make the stops and bring out the punt team. I know this isn’t as fun to watch, though.

        • Don’t feel they were evenly matched. WSU is improving, albeit not quite in linear fashion, but Mannion and Cooks were the two best players on the field. OSU is still a decent notch above the Cougs.

  9. I would like to see them take a chance on Chris Brown. We have only seen him against the 2nds, but he seems elusive. I think it takes a long time for Storm to get to the line. I think With the over pursuit we have seen on the run Quizz or a good rb would slide in behind for 15. Sometimes you get in behind someone in your car that is making a turn and basically wants the street clear in all directions before they go. Storm looks like he is waiting for the line to bull doze a big hole for him to go through. All a good back needs is a small crease, put your head down and go for it. I think if the back was more elusive and getting by, it would make the blocking easier. You have to believe that a line that averages near 300 with a couple 4* that pass block so well, that they should be able to run block. I think the run style has made blocking more difficult. Unfortunately, I don’t think Riley is interested in testing other backs. Next week would be a good time to test other people to see if they can contribute. Quizz didn’t start his first game and I’m sure Riley wishes he had. Maybe even move a big DT in at running back, he would for sure get more than 1.5 yards per carry. Maybe Riley will surprise us all.

    • on a similar note, why not have Tyler Anderson run full speed ahead several (more) times per game? The few times Riley has tried this, it has seemed to work so far this season.

  10. Ok, it was a great blowout win. Didnt fade or give up and came on huge toward the end.

    We need the D to put it together for a whole game. We have a great O, even with the run game not working. At this point I am surprised with that…..seems like opposing D would find a way to get to that, but not so far. I guess that shows you how potent Mannion and Co really are.

    If we can get good D for a whole game we can challenge those top teams left on our schedule. Man, wouldnt that be something. Like some of Riley’s earlier teams — coming on strong at the end of the season. Take care of Cal next weekend and then we will see.

    Go BEAVS! Put it all together, baby!

  11. ” I feel Riley the play caller is an asset, while Riley the coach is a liability.”, Angry.

    A good, thought provoking comment, Angry. Like all humans, Riley has strengths and weaknesses. Seems to me his strengths include teaching as well as play calling and that gives me some hope for the rest of the season. This team HAS TO KNOW that they have lots of room for improvement and, at the same time, has already learned that no game is over till the clock runs out. That “never say die” spirit coupled with improvement (learning from the teacher) could lead to better play which will be needed as the competition improves. I’m very glad to see them left out of the Top 25; the more disrespected they feel-the more receptive to teaching. Us against the World is a pretty good approach.

    As to the liability in the coaching area, I think that was worse a couple years ago when Riley was distracted (his dads death, the birth of the grandson, ??). Now it is poor clock management and failure to hold staff accountable which stand out. Lack of competitiveness has been a weakness but I do like the recent quotes about “breaking the will of the other guy”. Gotta admit, though it doesn’t happen often, I like seeing him throw the headset or jaw with the zebras!

    • If by “holding staff accountable” means Langsdorf and Banker (btw one announcer last night referred to Langsdorf as calling the plays) I agree. I do wonder if the influence of some of the younger, newer to the staff coaches is making a difference and leading to some of the improvement we’ve seen since the beginning of the season. I hope they aren’t afraid to stand up to others on the staff and criticize when warranted, although we’ll never know.

  12. I don’t expect to see Brown much going forward as in his limited action he has put the ball on the carpet which is worse than the 1.5 yards/carry. Mannion has been incredible thus far and Cooks is the real deal as well. The defense is tackling much better than they were earlier in the season, still I am not convinced that we have all the talent to run the scheme we are in, but I think the upgrade at MLB has shored up some of the issues.

    Overall, this really isn’t far from where many thought we would be before the season started only feels worse because EW was the loss.

    • Yes, putting the ball on the deck is worse than anything and should keep players off the field. So let’s get the three worst offenders out stat. That would be Mannion with 4 (2 lost), Cooks with 3 (1 lost) and Bolden with 3.

      I like this logic. Speed, agility and football ability shouldn’t trump being on the field when you can’t hold on to the ball.

  13. Lost out on two recruits, one I thought we had a good shot at the other not unexpected.
    Alex Van Dyke committed to Ucla
    Cole Anderson committed to Iowa St

  14. To me I see a lot of similarities between this game and the Civil War of last season. Wazzu is at a point this season where they needed this game to prove that they are a threat in the PAC (Similar to what the Beavs had to prove they were a legit contended in the PAC). It was a really good game for both teams but then a special teams miscue tooks the wind out of the Coug’s sails much like Civil War. Then it snowballed and neither team was able to make the statement they made.

    In Riley’s post game he said something along the lines that for a while he thought it was going to be his team’s will would be broken, as I was sitting in the stands I thinking the same thing. But once we scored to tie it and then forced them into a 3-and-out they were done, I just didn’t expect the team to force 5 turnovers and score 35 unanswered points. But the thing that I enjoyed about the game and win is that players stepped up big time when needed

    I can’t talk for the others on here who went to the game, but I really enjoyed my time up there. Pullman is a pretty cool college town (but in the middle of no where) the campus is beautiful, Wazzu fans were very welcoming and it was great because we could talk about how much we all hate the huskies and the ducks. My take on it is that there was not the buzz before game time that there is at Reser and the game time atmosphere takes a hit because the Wazzu band is tiny and barely plays, music was blaring over the speakers majority of the game. But still a great night to watch a football game. One thing that I found funny and completely different from games at Reser is that whenever a call goes against the Beavers in Reser, whether it be a review or a flag the fans boo loudly and for a long time, at Martin Stadium, hardly any of that.

  15. Homefry would like to thank the academy, the public, and a special shout out to those hospitable Cougars who kept on giving for making a Saturday night in Vegas very enjoyable. Hit the night games every which way possible…

    Now what about that -10 they are laying for the Bears?

  16. Watched the replay last night. Romaine’s kickoff return tackle was pretty cool. Nice to see the kicker mix it up. Also, it’s seemed like kickoff returns have been anemic this year, but Bolden is #12 nationally as a return man? That’s surprising. Maybe just means we get scored on frequently leading to several kickoff returns per game?

  17. My two cents:
    1) I haven’t forgotten about Eastern Washington…if EWU has one turnover, then we are 6-0 — even…. though I don’t think we would deserve being in the top 20…..
    2) ….Beavs play best when there are no expectations…..
    3) ….Defense hasn’t put together a complete game at this point (maybe Colorado, but I dont count that, everyone shuts them down)….
    4) ….In general, I expect more from a defensive line, but currently it is what it is — Beavs DL just doesn’t put enough pressure on the QB IMO….
    4)….The secondary is doing good to get the turnovers, they are huge and great to see, but as the schedule brings the more disciplined teams (Stanford, ASU, Washington, and UO), don’t expect six turnovers to save our butts!….still giving up too many big plays for TDs….
    5) ….for the latter half of the schedule, expect a lot more games like the Utah game — essentially whoever scores last wins….

  18. The weekly Manning award contest is up. Mannion and Mariota are far and away the leaders in this weeks popularity contest. This morning Mannion was leading comfortably, but somebody must have gotten butt hurt in the UofO fan base seeing their guy in 2nd, and now Mariota has leaped way ahead in votes over the last hour. Facebook fans who don’t mind spending a minute voting should go “like” Mannion’s pic.

    http://oak.ctx.ly/r/enk6

  19. This video is pretty cool from Saturday. It’s the weekly behind the scenes video put out by the athletic department. Watch all the way to the end for the hip hip hoorays. Pretty cool to see guys climbing over the lockers to take part in the hip hips. Team looks like they have some pretty good chemistry going and it’s fun to watch.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVWVtDIkYCQ

  20. Eastern Washington is not forgotten. With a win in week one we are ranked near or in the top ten and Mannion is being discussed nationally as a heisman contender. The EWU loss will only be forgotten if we can somehow compete with the big boys in our conference because of our schedule, I am not convinced yet that this is a great team. Without a decent running game, I am still a tad skeptical. Until we beat a ranked conference opponent we must are still a mystery.

    • If we can compete with the big boys, that EWU loss will become huge. It would surely take us down a notch in assigned bowl game. If we lose to all the big boys, it will be forgot, as just another loss in a so-so season.

      So that EW loss significance is yet to be determined….

      I agree — we are still a mystery

  21. Stanford game has been slotted for ESPN (main channel i think) at 7:30 PM.
    Seriously, how many 7:30 PM games does this team have to play? At least it’s at home this time. I think the USC game the next week is 7:30 also.

      • yeah, my bad. 6:00 on a Friday night. Sucks for fans that have to drive more than an hour to get to the game. Need to take the day off work just to see your team play. Wonder if the stands will be filled?

        • Taking a half day. Skipped this game the last time for work and have regretted it ever since (quizz’s coming out party.) gotta go this time

        • Bummer for those CST Beaver fans…two kids under 5, it’s damn hard to START watching a game at 9:30pm. I have DVR’d, but it’s too hard to sleep and not check the scores on my phone every 5 minutes! 8pm CST will be much better. Those Hawaii games in HI are brutal!

  22. After an impressive victory over California last week, it’s back to the drawing board for the Cougars. After the game, Leach said that he was welcome to any player from any position group stepping up and filling the leadership void.

    It’s not like they’d be taking anyone’s spot.

    http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/oct/13/beavers-catch-fire-late-to-storm-past-wsu/

    Wonder if anyone got locked in a dark equipment shed at practice in Pullman today

  23. Rewatched the game last night and followed along to the game thread…

    Wynn had a much improved game…they moved him around constantly and it looked like once he got in a rhythm, he became much more creative in his moves, creating pressure and havoc. When he was in the middle and not restricted by the tight space of a 4 man front he had some flexibility in how he attacked the line of scrimmage. I’d read on the board how some thought he could be a middle linebacker and imho he’ll never have the speed to do that, but during the game and in a 3 man front, he reminded me of a ML who just had his hand in the dirt all the time..hyper aggressive on every play.

    Angry, it seems clear that you don’t either like Wynn as a player, think he is overrated or think he’s a psycho or something, but after that hit/penalty, Halliday was never the same — almost immediately afterwards. Not saying I condone it…but, just saying…I rather have the guy on our team then have to play against him.

    • The Wynn hit definitely had an effect on Halliday. Never like to see a dirty play, and that one looked like it was pretty dirty, but it was very shortly after the play had been blown dead and he was in position to throw a legal block on the INT return, but Halliday turned his back at the wrong time and Wynn didn’t exercise control to pull up as the whistle blew. I guess it’s better to give than to receive in these situations, but I don’t like to see the Beavs play dirty.

      • It was a cheap shot. Halliday was clearly not in the play. Reminds me of the Erickson days.

        If you’ve ever listened to any interview that Wynn has given, you’d think he was crazy.

        • Then a couple plays later on the swing pass when the Wazzu RB got lit up and fumbled (recovered by WSU lineman), he came over to help him up. Wynn might be a little unbalanced!

          • Personally that’s how I like my defense. And I appreciate Wynns heads up know “sweet! Interception, I get to clean their qb clock now!” This type of shit happens to us all the time it seems.

  24. There is no excuse for the crappy yards per carry average. The o-line has plenty of talent and experience. I don’t think Woods or Ward are very good. Neither shows much burst, and Woods is soft.

    • The rich get richer. As Cooks has shown, a superior talent can really have a profound impact on a team. We need to win a few of these battles.

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