102nd Apple Cup: Washington 30, Washington State 0
by Grady. on Nov 29, 2009 12:41 PM PST
in Cougar Football
47 comments
This game also happened yesterday.
Player of the Game: Reid Forrest. Our over-utilized punter had 7 boots for 277 yards, a long of 50 and 3 kicks downed inside the 20.
Unsung Hero: Xavier Hicks. Picked off Golden Boy Jake Locker and returned it 13 yards.
It was over when... Washington RB Chris Polk dove into the end zone to make it 20-0 with 6:11 to go in the third.
Play of the Game: Well, we didn't score, so... the Hicks INT.
Stat of the Game: The Cougars were unable to get any closer to the end zone than the Huskies' 33 yard line.
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News for next season.
Look for Levy to be promoted to Offensive Coordinator next season. Insider information from a wine-lushed WSU regent says their talks with Sterk are to push Sturdy out, and Levy in, b/c the current status is “unacceptable.”
by HugeBoobs on Nov 29, 2009 1:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Watching the Cougs for a full game, I came away entirely unimpressed with Wulff’s no-huddle offense. Seems like a gimmick that just doesn’t work.
by kirkd on Nov 29, 2009 1:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No surprise there
We’ve all been screaming for it, too. Really want to see them figure out the D, too.
by cougfan on Nov 29, 2009 1:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Why Levy?
Levy is a good position coach but how has he shown as an OC? If you push Sturdy aside then you also need a QB coach and that’s not Levy either. You might also need a new OL coach if the current coach doesn’t fit the new OCs offensive philosophy.
I like the thought process. Some major changes need to take place on the offensive side of the ball. It just isn’t going anywhere.
by BornCoug on Nov 30, 2009 1:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
One could also make the case
for Mike Ledgerwood as player of the game. The backup stepped up in a big way.
by Cougar999 on Nov 29, 2009 7:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
WTF, CPW...
I don’t want to sound like a troll, and with the points made for Wulff’s impending return duly noted I offer up the following sentiment anyway.
I’ve supported him this season, even in the face of angry opposition, but I find myself painfully handicapped in doing so after yesterday’s game. The Cougs were playing for nothing more than pride, and at the end of both halves Wulff showed effectively no interest in even trying to get on the scoreboard. For weeks I’ve been saying “if there’s one thing we can count on CPW for, it’s that he knows how important this game is to the WSU community”. Yesterday, he didn’t seem to care at all .
It’s an easy argument that he wanted to staunch the bleeding at the end of the first half with no timeouts and our 4th string QB in the game, but 2:39 is a decent amount of time to at least get into range where we can go out, kick (and likely miss) the FG, and go into the half not looking and feeling like a team that had already given up.
It was that final drive of the 4th Quarter that killed me. The give up punt on 4th and 9 was absolutely unacceptable in an Apple Cup where we’re staring the first shutout in 45 years in the face. To not go for it there is inexcusable, even if the odds favor UW’s getting the ball back in range to go up 37-0. 30-0 and 37-0 are equally bad in my book, and you need to give your team every chance to erase that zero at the end of the game.
Rooting for lovable losers since 1984.
by seattlecougar on Nov 29, 2009 7:42 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Whoops
Forgot to mention the “chew the clock” approach we took to that 4th Quarter drive. Getting the ball with over 5 minutes left and all our timeouts, we managed to eat over 4 minutes off the clock in running 6 plays. If you go in at your own 3 expecting to have to punt, then rely on your defense to get you the ball back in better position, at least leave enough time on the clock to give yourself that shot.
Rooting for lovable losers since 1984.
by seattlecougar on Nov 29, 2009 7:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't disagree with the sentiment
But I will take exception with the criticism of the drive at the end of the half. Dan Wagner is NOT a Pac-10 quarterback. You cannot trust him to throw the ball, especially when we were only down 13-0.
by Nuss on Nov 29, 2009 8:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
It had slipped my mind at first (until I pulled up the drive log) that we were out of timeouts. Even then, I just didn’t feel like there was much urgency or hustle in the team to at least try and get downfield to give Grasu a shot to miss a 40 yard FG. Since we were only 2 scores down and getting the ball at the half this one doesn’t bother me much, but the end of the 2nd half is a lot harder to stomach and the two put together grinds my gears… As much (which isn’t much) as I feel a right to complain about anything from this season. Bring on 2010 and the beginning materialization of the next great Cougar dynasty!
Rooting for lovable losers since 1984.
by seattlecougar on Nov 29, 2009 10:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree for the most part until the last play or two
We ran the ball and I understood wanting to close the first half out. But, especially the last play WSU ran with only a few ticks left on the clock, WSU should have at least thrown a hail mary pass. Time still runs out and you at least have small chance of scoring or getting a penalty.
by Coug1990 on Nov 29, 2009 10:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree totally, here.
The approach the whole game was to give the defense with (in case you didn’t know) its 14 scholarship athletes as much time to catch its breath as possible. The slowdown was deliberate, and the D was definitely struggling more in the 2nd half to keep up.
There were an inordinate number of drops by our WRs, which really sucked. I think I counted 3 times on 2nd or 3rd and short around the UW 30-35 that we got called for a false start—in the first half! Another 2-3 times that we gave up a sack in the same situation. While the offensive performance was absolutely horrid, at least I didn’t get the “we give up” feeling I had vs. USC last year.
Definitely stuff to grouse about, but I don’t think the “chew the clock” approach is one of them.
by TiltingRight on Nov 29, 2009 11:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Most of the game, no
But when you have to figure it’s your final drive of the game, you’ve gotta go for it. Running the ball is one thing (and given our starting field position on that 4Q drive, I expected it), but doing so and then showing no urgency to keep the game moving at a pace that gives you a chance to score is another.
Rooting for lovable losers since 1984.
by seattlecougar on Nov 30, 2009 10:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Can we assume that Marshall might not have been 100 percent?
When he came out of the game in the first half, he looked as if he might have had a concussion. Obviously, it must have been minor, but given that he came out of the game with an injury at one point, can we assume that since the game was over, there really was no reason to expose him to further harm?
by Nuss on Nov 30, 2009 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
They play of the game.....
……any of Reid Forrest punts. Nothing else this team did warrants a play of the game, even the interception because it was to late to matter.
by spokanecougar on Nov 29, 2009 7:50 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone else notice
that the best we moved the ball all night was in the final 1:30 of the first half with Wagner in at QB?
by Cougar999 on Nov 29, 2009 8:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else realize the pac-10 is filled with classy coaches?
Pete Carrol added to his fine resume yesterday dropping a 48 yard bomb up 2 tds with under a minute to go. Harbaugh goes for 2 up big on Petey late in the game. Mike Riley, we all know him. Slick Rick, yea he’s awesome, too.
I think Pete may have to inside track on class(less) coach of the year this year, though.
by cougfan on Nov 29, 2009 8:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I wasn't too happy with Sark, either
After we punted with under a minute to go, anything other than taking a couple of merciful knees was an insult. Even if we had the TOs to force a punt, Wulff had shown his only interest was getting out of Seattle as quickly as possible.
Rooting for lovable losers since 1984.
by seattlecougar on Nov 29, 2009 10:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, really? You’re harping on Sark for being insulting? You realize the Huskies didn’t attempt a pass in the last 10 minutes of the game right? And it’s insulting for the 4th string RB to get a couple of simple dive plays at the end of the game?
by kirkd on Nov 30, 2009 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Carroll was taking a knee
SC was in “Victory” formation with 50 seconds left. Neuheisal calls a timeout even though SC was running out the game. So Carroll keeps playing and they score. I can’t fault Neuheisal. Maybe something weird happens and they somehow score, onside kick, recover, hail mary, overtime. It’s possible.
Neuheisal made the call on ending the game and Carroll responded. If Carroll didn’t show you last year that he won’t go out of is way to run up the score then I can’t help ya’. I honestly don’t care if a coach runs it up. It’s the other teams responsibility for that not to take place. However, Carroll doesn’t seem to do it. I really like Carroll as a coach.
by BornCoug on Nov 30, 2009 1:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I have no issues with what Carroll did in the UCLA game. He had Barkley take a knee after UCLA turned the ball over on downs with 54 seconds left. He was offering to end the game with no risk of further injury, or insult to the Bruins.
Instead, Neuheisel calls a timout. Best case scenario, the Bruins get the ball back with less than 10 seconds to try to score 2 TD’s. IMO, once Neuheisel rejected the taking a knee gesture by Carroll, it was game on. If Neuheisel wanted to play to the very end, why shouldn’t Carroll? Why not put the game out of any conceivable reach?
The issue in that game was on Neuheisel IMO.
Now, if you want to discuss the taunting and celebrating that happened after that last TD pass, you may have a point. But I don’t blame Carroll in the slightest for that play call after Neuheisel decided to be petty and call his timeout.
by kirkd on Nov 30, 2009 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed that Neuheisel set it up on a tee for Carroll to do
And UCLA sure should’ve been able to stop a play action post play.
It was more Petey’s over the top, we just won the national title like celebration after it. He broke out the Tiger Wood’s fist pump and everything. The team then fed off that and there was nearly a nice little brawl.
by cougfan on Dec 1, 2009 1:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s a rivalry game – I don’t blame Carroll and the USC players for celebrating a little harder than in most games.
That said, I’m sure their actions contributed to UCLA’s response. And UCLA’s response was poor sportsmanship. Man up Bruins – if you’re upset about getting your butts kicked, do better next time to avoid the butt-kicking. Charging across the field just makes you look like poor sport cry-babies.
by kirkd on Dec 1, 2009 12:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Slick Rick had it coming
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Why the hell did Neweasel call a time out when USC was kneeling on the ball? I have no issue with Carrol tossing that TD on the next play.
by Yakicoug on Nov 30, 2009 2:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I just will never understand this whole "class" thing
As if your team scoring more points is somehow a reflection on a man’s character. Don James never ran up the score on anyone and I think he’s a pompous, arrogant arse. I just don’t see where these two things are related.
If you don’t want them to score a touchdown on you in the last few minutes, then don’t let them. Period. If a team wants to take it as a perceived slight (or whatever), then more power to them if that gets them motivated (or whatever). But I never really understood fans getting worked up over it.
Many times, it’s a situation where a team is trying to get better (Canfield’s deep pass last year). Sometimes it’s debatable whether that’s the case (Stanford’s two-pointer this year). Sometimes a team is obviously trying to rub it in (USC/UCLA). Either way, in the grand scheme of things, it’s just not that big of a deal. I just don’t understand where this equates with class, especially when college football perpetuates a system that rewards margin of victory. Why shouldn’t a coach try to get every last point to put his team in the best possible position come postseason?
by Nuss on Nov 30, 2009 3:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Don James never ran up the score on anyone and I think he’s a pompous, arrogant arse.
Maybe this isn’t the right thread, but I’m curious why you think DJ is a “pompous, arrogant arse”?
by kirkd on Nov 30, 2009 3:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Just a general attitude
One that was exemplified best by him walking out on his team and program in its greatest hour of need in “protest.”
by Nuss on Nov 30, 2009 4:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm. Well, I guess we’ll just have to disagree on that particular instance – he was stabbed in the back by William Gerberding and essentially forced out, because he warned Gerb about what would happen if he changed the terms of the Pac-10 penalties against the Huskies, and that’s exactly what Gerb did.
If you want details, I’d be happy to provide them, but I can understand if you don’t want this thread derailed.
by kirkd on Nov 30, 2009 5:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I was a Husky fan back then, so I'm pretty familiar with the situation
If you want to e-mail to the cougcenter@gmail.com account, we can talk about it there.
by Nuss on Nov 30, 2009 5:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
What position was Wagner Recruited for?
If Dan W isn’t a Pac-10 QB then why is he even on the depth chart??? I understand he’s a punter too right?
by Longtime Coug on Nov 29, 2009 9:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
He's a walkon
So no, he’s a not a pac 10 player as he wasn’t really recruited. As far as I know, he’s not on scholarship and he travels as our back up punter and emergency QB.
by 02Coug on Nov 29, 2009 9:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
walk-ons absolutely get recruited.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Nov 29, 2009 10:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Invited walk-ons
Which Wagner was, I believe
by cougfan on Nov 29, 2009 11:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not denying that walk-ons get recruited...
But they get recruited with less verve. And most importantly, an invited walk on punter/emergency QB is not a Pac 10 QB that should by throwing in a 2 minute drill, down 13, with no timeouts. I think we can agree on that.
Although after we got to the 50, I would have liked some type of trick play instead of the final run with 6 seconds left.
by 02Coug on Nov 30, 2009 7:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
If he was a Pac-10 quarterback, wouldn't it make sense that he would have had a scholarship offer to go somewhere else?
Most teams have three, maybe four scholarship QBs. We had four at the beginning of this year. JT Levenseller transferred. Jeff Tuel was obviously not available, despite dressing for the game. That left you with a fourth-string walk-on in the event your top two quarterbacks got hurt. There you go.
by Nuss on Nov 30, 2009 8:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He was both starting QB and punter in high school his senior season
Would have been as a junior too but he had a season ending knee injury before the season began.
by Cougar999 on Nov 30, 2009 11:01 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks.
I wondered how far down the charts things went. What’s deal with Tuel even suiting up? Someone thought they saw him in pads!?!?!
by Longtime Coug on Nov 29, 2009 9:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
It didn't look like he had pads to me
But my thought was we might have been considering him an emergency replacement… Though when Wagner took the field it was obvious he wouldn’t be out there.
Rooting for lovable losers since 1984.
by seattlecougar on Nov 29, 2009 10:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I was standing right behind the coug bench ..
… he had full pads on. Not sure why, though.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Nov 29, 2009 10:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Reportedly,
Solomon, a WR, was our 4th string QB. I’m guessing Reid Forrest would be after that. As in, we get the ball, we punt.
by TiltingRight on Nov 29, 2009 11:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
On a positive side
I really liked getting to see several new “Go Cougs” commercials during the game… They were my favorite part of watching Cougar football last year, and (probably because I’d watched the other televised games this season from a bar where commercials = look away) a few of them I hadn’t seen before.
I’d give them a vote for “play of the game”. That ad campaign makes me happy… Even after we’d lost they still got several of my friends to cheer a resounding GO COUGS.
Rooting for lovable losers since 1984.
by seattlecougar on Nov 29, 2009 10:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand people getting upset at Wulff...
He KNEW how important this game was, and threw his kitchen sink into this game…but he doesn’t have much with the depleted team we have. the flea flicker? should have been a touchdown. the WR pass by soloman that was a 15-yard gainer at least. going for it on fourth downs like 3-4 times.
The defense was playing really well, the offense was moving the ball, but then the quarterback merry-go-round happens and there’s no continuity on the offense so it can’t get going again. then people start dropping passes.
I was actually happy with the game and how we played, except for not scoring on account of injuries to the quarterback. Defense played awesome, but got tired towards the end, with Locker making the plays when he needed to.
Wulff has this team and program headed in the right direction, I’m excited for next year! There’s no way that the injury situation happens three years in a row like it has for us. Go Cougs!!
by LoganC on Nov 30, 2009 10:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I concur with most of what you're saying
Although, I don’t give the offense a free pass because of the merry-go-round quarterbacks. But that’s just splitting hairs in a game where we just clearly weren’t the better team.
by Nuss on Nov 30, 2009 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It was over when...
Gino Simone dropped the flea flicker TD pass. The 5-10% shot we had of winning that game went out the window at that very moment.
With momentum on our side early and playing as an underdog on the road, injured, blah blah.., Wulff and Sturdy drew up the perfect play call and it was “adequately” executed to an open receiver in the end zone. For us to have had any shot of winning that game, those were the kind of plays we had to have made (well those and actually catching 3rd down passes).
I’m not saying if he catches it that we win the game, I’m just saying that we lost any small chance we had at that moment.
by LACoug on Nov 30, 2009 11:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree. I thought it was a huge momentum killer for the Cougs when they failed to convert that play – it was beautifully executed and they had Simone wide open. Stopping the Huskies on their first drive and then converting that play would’ve been big for Cougar confidence and would’ve put some doubt in the minds of the Huskies.
by kirkd on Nov 30, 2009 1:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
+1 on that
Yep, the Simone non-catch was a game changer. I think if Lopina had not gotten knocked out that it would have been a game.
by Yakicoug on Nov 30, 2009 2:35 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
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