WSU Continues To Improve; Enjoy The Ride
by Brian Floyd on Oct 10, 2010 10:25 AM PDT
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PrintAfter being blown out in Stillwater and narrowly escaping Montana State at home, I was done. I was done with the team, done with the staff and had little hope for this year. Everything looked bleak and it was depressing to watch as a fan.
Then things started to change. The defense was improved against SMU and the Cougs were in the game at halftime. Taking on a talented USC team at home, offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy opened the playbook and gave us a glimpse of what the offense could be. That continued the next week in Pasadena. Finally, we had some hope, at least on one side of the ball.
This week, nobody gave the Cougs a chance. Listen to Craig, Jeff and I talk about the game on the podcast. Read Grady's tailgater's guide. We just hoped Oregon wouldn't hang 100 on a Cougar defense that looked lost against the run.
Even Oregon didn't take WSU serious. It was evident from their play on Saturday and the comments leading up to the game. Darron Thomas said they wanted to use the game to work on things. Many players and fans on the other side figured the Ducks would come in, scrimmage the Cougs and walk out with a blowout. That didn't happen.
Sure the Ducks may have overlooked WSU. But this is a team that's so talented, they can overlook a team and still run them off the field. The fact that Oregon may have given WSU less than their full attention doesn't take anything away from the way the Cougs played yesterday. They fought, scrapped and clawed to give Oregon one heck of a game.
I only wish this game would've been on TV outside of Oregon because the box score doesn't tell the whole story. If you're a fan of WSU and didn't see this, rest assured this was a changed team. They played physical, disciplined football and gave the Ducks plenty to handle. The final score and statistics just don't do it justice.
Maybe we expected too much from the start. We were sold on the pitch Paul Wulff and his staff had been serving all summer about improvement and a competitive team. Early in the season, it sure look like another case of "here we go again" for the Cougs.
After a blowout at the hands of the Trojans, wide receiver Jeffrey Solomon said the team is "so close (to being good) it's not even funny." Many of us shrugged it off and thought "Yeah, right. Sure we are, Jeffrey." In hindsight, maybe his statement wasn't so far from the truth.
The team is buying in and, as a result, many of the fans are starting to buy in again. Listen to the players and coaches talk now. They all believe they have the talent to compete with anyone in this conference. It took starting the Pac-10 scheduling and proving to themselves they can hang with some of the top teams, but they've sold themselves on it.
Today, I have hope. I have hope for the future, but I also have hope for the rest of the season. I see continued improvement -- on both sides of the ball -- every game. The team is getting stronger, working to fix mistakes and gaining confidence in the process. The confidence in their abilities and the belief that they finally belong should go a long way the rest of the season.
If the Cougs continue to move forward and improve, the wins will come and they'll come soon. Before the UCLA game, I had little hope that WSU could even compete and put themselves in a position to win. Now, after hanging with the best team in the conference, it feels like WSU can play any team in the Pac-10 tough, giving us all hope.
Sit back and enjoy the ride because we're watching a young team learn how to win and compete right in front of our eyes. Stick with them through the rough patches because one of these days they're going to jump up and surprise us all.
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Isn't it weird?
I’m looking forward to games again. I’m excited to see them play and continue to grow.
It’s exactly what I wanted from the start.
by Brian Floyd on Oct 10, 2010 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Today at 6:30 on Comcast Sports Northwest
Is the only listing I see.
by Brian Floyd on Oct 10, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
This is the second time that WSU
has had a big letdown after nearly punching it in to make it a one possession ballgame (or to take a 4th quarter lead vs. UCLA).
I’d like to see Wulff call a TO if we’re in that position again, just to explain the time left, paint the picture for the kids, and set the expectations. I wonder if they’re not “pressing”, as Wulff used to call it, after those near misses, and stopping to take a breath, talk about the situation and fire them up might be a good thing.
Something happened to this team after SMU
I got banned from this site temporarily and people were calling for me to turn in my Crimson after I went berserko and was calling for Wulff’s head after SMU.
Clearly, this team knew that I was upset and they have responded in kind.
Color me impressed with the job that is going on in Pullman.
I got mad after both OSU and SMU
I was happy after MSU (win; in attendance), USC (for some strange reason; maybe cuz it was SC and we scored on opening drive), UCLA (competitive) and now Oregon (same.)
Weird.
Stick around
This team continues to get better every week. If nothing else its a rollercoaster and I feel way better about the direction after the last few weeks.
by Brian Floyd on Oct 10, 2010 2:38 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Its hard to imagine
where this team would be right now if they had started the season playing this way. who knows what might have happened? OSU, thats a toss up, we would have crushed MSU, We would have beaten SMU probably by a touch down, probably would have lost to SC, but it would have been close, and if we’d have the adjustments on D we definitely would have beaten UCLA. so if we would have been lucky, 4-3.
That would have been awesome.
Considering that we aren’t losing too many to graduation this year, we should do pretty well next year. Depending on who we schedule for our last OOC game, we could start the year 3-0 going into Autzen, Stanford and SC. Those are some pretty tough games, but after that we have all very winnable games. If this team continues to improve and we get lucky we could see as good as 9-3 if we lose to the above mentioned teams, but if we win even one of those, 10-2 is pretty damned good.
Obviously some seriously crimson colored glasses there, but still, that would be awesome.
I’m going to say it now, rose bowl, 2012!!
I agree with your points
and I am almost as optimistic about the future as you are. As I said before this season reminds me of 2000. I think this team can really start to break out. This to me is the fun of college sports, watching young kids learn and grow into big time players.
We will call him Zatara.....sounds fearsome....It means driftwood.
I am excited about the next few years...
If we can get a few more wins this year you usually see a 5 game increase as about the max for improvement. So to me next year (if we continue to imporve) a 5-7 win season to me is most realistic. I do agree though, the year after that, Tuel’s Senior year will be awesome for Cougar fans.
We are still a LONG ways from any of this but it is fun to think about, it is so great to see improvement.
Encouraging
I think I saw a comment from Nuss in one of the recap threads that said something along the lines of the players are starting to buy in. I couldn’t agree more. It was noticeable among the players on Saturday, you could tell from body language and general enthusiasm on the sideline, they believe they can compete.
I sent a text message to a buddy during the UCLA game that it was the best we had played during the Wulff tenure, and I think we played even better against Oregon. National Championship contender Oregon!!! That’s says a lot to me about where this team is and where we’re headed.
I’ve pretty much never been on the Wulff bandwagon, but right now I think he’s earned at least the 4th year and I’m comin around.
Great job on Saturday cougs, hold your heads high after that one.
That was me
When I get around to transcribing some quotes, the reasoning behind my thinking that they’re buying in will be evident. I saw a different attitude from everyone. It was encouraging.
by Brian Floyd on Oct 10, 2010 4:25 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I saw a few things from the game
that had me thinking positive things down the road are:
Monty and Mitz averaged 4 yds a carry today, and as a group the Rb’s were just under 4. When we spread the field, we must make them commit a 6th defender to stopping the run for our offense to work. When they are putting 5 in the box, we have got to be able to move the ball on the ground. With 5 in the box they can match up with our receivers +2 high safeties, and bring 5 guys in a passing situation. If we get the 6th guy in the box to stop the run, they have to match up one on one with our wide outs across the field with one high safety, a recipe for offensive success. Next year that 3 man backfield set could be featuring Mitz, Sankey and DeMarcus James. That is a backfield that can smack you in the mouth and take it to the house.
Jeff Tuel continues to progress at an excellent rate. He fits balls in tight windows, has excellent touch on his deep ball and great placement. He still locks onto receivers a bit much and misses some open guys (he had Wilson ten yds past his defender on one play but threw to solomon for an incomplete, just didn’t see it) but overall he is doing an incredible job, especially considering the anemic running game and poor offensive line.
CJ Mizell is a beast. When he makes contact that play is going to be stopped, and he has an excellent nose for the ball in the running game. He has made plays in games all year when given the chance, and hopefully he continues working hard in practice and achieves a good chunk of his seemingly limitless potential. Think Ledge catches LaHeisman from behind? Maybe, but only to let James slip from his grasp.
The Defensive line is working well this year. Too many stunts trying to hide their obvious size advantages led to them getting washed out early this year, further exposing our Lb’s. Stunts work well when you have a hoss in the middle that demands a double team in the run game, and that is not something we have right now. Toni Pole may be that guy in the future, but until that point I like us one gapping with our DL and getting into the backfield.
Marquess had a relatively quiet day, but it was obvious that he was a big part of Oregon’s defensive gameplan. They were often jamming him at the line with their safety over the top, which until he gets stronger will slow him significantly. On the play I mentioned earlier where he was wide open and unseen by Tuel, he put a gorgeous swim move over the corner trying to jam him and the safety was drawn away by Tuel’s eyes, leaving Q ten yards from any defender and nothing but green in front of him. Eventually, Tuel is going to look back to Q and hit him for a beauty of a TD there.
Oh, and our secondary is fast as hell. Deonne Bucannon gained about 7 yards on James on that wheel route. I LOVE IT!
by Fightfightfight on Oct 10, 2010 5:34 PM PDT reply actions
I feel good today,
because I feel confident in the direction this program is going. The 1st three weeks I wasn’t sure. I was confused. I wasn’t sure if Wulff and company knew what they were doing. I wanted to believe them, I was trusting what they said, but sometimes it is so hard to know. These last few years have been so hard to gauge. No commentators, no reporters, no one has had a good feeling on what is going on, even the guys here on CougCenter will admit that they have been wrong on some of their predictions. I also didn’t want to get caught up drinking the rebuilding koolaid and then in three more years realize that we are going nowhere — I doubt Moos would let it get to that point — but I truely want to believe in Wulff and company. I am giving an award out for the last three weeks. I am not sure what to call it, but it is the you proved us wrong award. It goes to Todd Sturdy. It is like this guy is a completely different coach. Sometimes I can’t believe I second guessed, because we should know better that all these guys (Wulff, Levy and etc.) new what he was capable of and that he could handle the Pac10. I will admit I was the first to jump on the bandwagon of what the heck is this guys doing. I am so excited to watch the rest of this season and see all the recruits and reshirts next year. Fight, Fight, Fight for Washington State!!!
Please, enjoy the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxaKczASEdg
"I've choked bigger men than you! Goulet!" Robert Goulet aka Will Ferrell
I'm not willing to jump all the way on that bandwagon
But six games in, this team is where I hoped it would be. Like Moos, I’ll wait until the whole season is in the books before making any final conclusions, but I like what I see right now.
I was completely off that bandwagon and searching for matches to set it on fire.
Past few weeks, I’ve found myself actually starting to move back toward it. Like you said, I’m still not on board but I’m about ready to climb back on.
Cougar999 version 2.0. Now with a shorter name!
Ya, it can be an emotional rollercoaster.
Why do I waste my time caring about this team? I love this team! Tuel is awesome. Why did Sturdy make that call? Doesn’t Wulff know how to manage the clock? Yes, we beat the Huskies! Glad to see your back on the wagon. I hope you were not talking about Busch Light. Haha.
"I've choked bigger men than you! Goulet!" Robert Goulet aka Will Ferrell
I guess this statement of mine made it sound like everything is going to be fine.
I feel confident in the direction this program is going.
I guess I should have said this is best I have felt about the Cougs in a long time. I kind of threw out the word “confident” carelessly. These last 3 games have made me feel like we are heading in the right direction and I hope it isn’t fools gold. The only reason I do not think it is fools gold (and I threw out the word “confident”) is because I haven’t seen progression in program like this in 3 years. If my numbers are right Tuel will be making his 15 collegiate start this next Saturday. That is barely over a full season of starts. Tuel didn’t start in HS until his senior year because he was sitting behind Cal QB Beau Sweeney. If you combine HS and WSU he has just over 2 years of starting experience, which is crazy. The sky could be the limit for this kid. I agree I will also asses the coaching staff at the end of this year, but for the first time in 3 years I am giddy for the rest of the season. I can’t wait for cry baby Stoops to get to town. As a side note, I have to say I appreciate Kelly and the respect he gave us and the high praise to Tuel. Locker who?
"I've choked bigger men than you! Goulet!" Robert Goulet aka Will Ferrell
I think
That Chip Kelley could teach a thing or two about class to some of the other members of our conference. From the way he handled things last year after the BSU game, to Masoli, to complimenting Tuel after this game, the guy really seems to have a good head on his shoulders.
I don’t really like saying that about a Duck, but I do think he deserves credit for just seeming to be a decent man in a profession where that might be too often not the case (I’m looking at you Mr. Kiffin).
Actually,
Tuel will be making his 12th start this saturday and playing in just his 13th career game. He played in 6 games last year but only started 5, and this will be the 7th game of this season. This start will be exactly one full season of starting for Tuel.
by Fightfightfight on Oct 10, 2010 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions
by the way, I know you
felt (gut feeling) that we had a chance against USC and UCLA before the games. I feel this way about the Arizona game. Stoops’s ego might look past us.
"I've choked bigger men than you! Goulet!" Robert Goulet aka Will Ferrell
I actually felt that way about just USC
And I think it looked OK for a half. But I did say last week that I liked our chances against Arizona — or any other team that throws more than it runs. Pretty sure I like them less now that Oregon State beat them, though.
It is weird
how different our coaches seem from weeks 1-3 to 3-6. It is as though weeks 1-3 they were still in last year’s “lets just not get everyone killed” mindset, and then after the SMU loss where the team kinda sorta showed that they had a lot of unrealized potential the coaches woke up and finally made a gameplan that played to our strengths. Since then, we have seen consistent improvement. Now that the defense is putting it together we really are starting to see a complete team.
I think they were a little timid to throw these young kids to the wolves,
but after a while they were like, heck how could it get worst. We got to go out with the guns a blazin’. They tried it and the youngsters responded. I bet they were like, “Feeewww, glad that worked out, kinda.” Baptist-ism by fire can be scary.
"I've choked bigger men than you! Goulet!" Robert Goulet aka Will Ferrell
The only thing that bugs me a bit
Is why not come out guns blazing week one. On some level, after those first two seasons, this staff had to know that their seats could get warm quickly. Why hold back early on? It’s a moot point now, and I am happy that we seem to be playing with the intensity and the full playbook, but part of what keeps me from putting both feet on the Wulff bandwagon is the simple question of why, in year three, did we start out with the same game plans that hadn’t worked for two years.
You can still put one foot in the bandwagon.
It is okay to support, but also question. Because you don’t want to have blind faith.
"I've choked bigger men than you! Goulet!" Robert Goulet aka Will Ferrell
We've asked the same questions
But at this point, I just don’t care. I’m just glad we’re at where we’re at now.
I just noticed
that the picture for this article is Jeffrey Solomon, nobody WR from WSU, catching a touchdown over All American, NCAA int leader and consensus first rounder rahim moore…
by Fightfightfight on Oct 10, 2010 7:23 PM PDT reply actions
Go Coug's!!!
I can’t wait for next week. I would love to see them pull of the upset against UA. I was starting to give up on Wulff, but now I see that he is a great coach, he just needs time.
Oregon fan hipocracy...
Okay… I need to vent. I went perusing some forums today to get the Oregon vibe from the game. Mostly to see if they were impressed with what they saw from WSU. I expected to see some comments about the concussion inducing helmet-helmet play. But I was a little suprised about the outrage. Some were suggesting that the conference penalize Carpenter for the hit, the fumble DEFINATELY shouldn’t have counted, and the fans and team were classless for cheering the play. How short their memories are…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYEHbp4ilPo
Personally, I think the kids do need to be protected and the call does need to be made… just like an incidental facemask. Glad to see both Barner and Owusu get up after those hits, and more importantly… I hope neither has to deal with the long term affects that concusions can cause (migraines, depression, memory loss).
What, they were mad because we were excited
about a huge hit and fumble? They would have done the same thing. As soon as I saw him motionless I was worried, I quieted down. I gave a little prayer. We are fans, not animals. Our fans cheered him when he got up, the stadium was quiet, just ask Brian Floyd. It wasn’t malicious, these kids are running 4.5 40s straight at each other…there is going to be a collision, it is a contact sport, that is why they wear pads and helmets. Carpenter was just trying to make a play. Great job with the youtube clip. Complete hipocrisy. I am glad the kid is okay, it was scary seeing his parents and the ambulance down there. I was thinking about LeAndre Daniels.
"I've choked bigger men than you! Goulet!" Robert Goulet aka Will Ferrell
The hit was clean, but...
I can definitely see why some Duck fans saw it that way in the emotion of it all. I think Stanford fans felt the same way with the hit the WR took two weeks ago when UO safety hit him helmet to helmet causing the fumble. Those things get scary when both players are low. I think the helmet to helmet that the refs are taught to look for is when the offensive players heads up. When they are head down it can be hard to avoid, but it does make them better prepared for the impact.
Carpenter
If you watch the highlight clip on WSUfootballblog, it is glaringly apparent that Carpenter was shoved in the back by an Oregon blocker straight into Barner. If anything they should be irate at whoever that individual was, and we should both be pissed at him, because that could have very well hurt Anthony as well.
Even if he wasn't pushed
fact is he was aiming for the blocker who jumped out of the way
Cougar999 version 2.0. Now with a shorter name!
As a Duck fan and a guy who appreciates and likes the Cougs
I have to say, hats off boys. Your guys played with heart, played better than I’ve seen all year, and Tuel is finally starting to make me feel good for believing in him. The Cougs are getting better every week and the “talent” discrepancies are starting to get negated by hard work and discipline. I’m excited that Cougs football is on the up swing and that Wulff is getting the kids to buy into what they can and should be.
Here’s all I (as a Duck fan) ask:
1. Stop hurting our starting QBs. It’s getting old quickly now knock it off
2. Anyone who says that hit on Barner was dirty is full of shit. It sucked, don’t get me wrong, but that was not on purpose by Carpenter and it was just a circumstance of playing in a violent sport. I’m sure every reasonable Coug fan wants Barner to be OK, just like every reasonable Duck fan wants for Owusu
3. Please, please, please lay the wood to UW and Locker. Their defense is pathetic. We all know you’re probably not making it to a bowl game this year, but how sweet would it be to keep Locker from ever making it to one himself. Get better every game until the Apple Cup and then let it all hang out and kick the crap out of the fuskies.
Really impressed guys. Thanks for the hospitality this week. Go Ducks and go Cougs.
Hey Daisy, git me anudder one!
Addicted to Quack
by Matt Daddy on Oct 10, 2010 9:36 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
Thanks Matt
And I’m already planning my Apple Cup victory party. Trust me, Jake Locker wants no part of these guys in the sub-freezing temperatures guaranteed to be around at kickoff on Dec. 4 in Pullman.
Are you going to be in Pullman for AC?
Is there a Cougcenter meet-up planned?
by TiltingRight on Oct 11, 2010 3:17 AM PDT up reply actions
I was going to try and do the same
alas, the wife’s schedule prevents it.
by TiltingRight on Oct 11, 2010 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks, Matt
I hope we see a Pac10 football team in the BCS championship. It is good for our conference. Plus, it will help with that Pac12 TV contract.
"I've choked bigger men than you! Goulet!" Robert Goulet aka Will Ferrell
Now that the game is over
I can finally allow myself to return to my Duck-loving ways that have been on hold for the last week. The ducks are easily my 3rd favorite college team, behind the cougs and whoever is playing the huskies, of course. I ran that offense in high school, we were green and gold and they are absolutely the most fun team to watch in the country. And you guys hate the Huskies nearly as much as I do, a quality I find remarkably respectable and classy.
Anyways, that was a great game to watch from our standpoint (not sure how it was from your view, but a 20 point win can’t hurt that bad) and it’s been nice having an Oregon side of things over the last week. Go kick the shit out of Ohio State for the Title and make us all happy.
by Fightfightfight on Oct 10, 2010 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree so much
During the game I was pissed that the Cougs kept hurting our players. Now that the game is over, I’m back to my Coug loving ways (by the way, since our bball team is going to suck again this year, I’m openly rooting for Cougs to take the Pac 10 crown).
Anyway, I’ll be partying hard Dec 4th in hopes the Cougs kick the shit out of the huskies and that Oregon wins the Civil War. Good luck the rest of the way guys. Just know you have a ton of fans down south.
Hey Daisy, git me anudder one!
Addicted to Quack
Been enjoying the ride since OSU
Too bad people are just now figuring it out that inexperienced kids need game action to mature, and some successes to gain confidence. Wulff and Moos have been preaching it from day 1. Many of us have said the same and have been chastised along the way.
It’s been a great ride from day 1. Glad others are at least enjoying it now.
by SDCoug on Oct 11, 2010 2:07 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Would you agree that it's not just about the kids, though?
That the coaches needed to show us something, too? And that they didn’t show us much through the first two games?
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 11, 2010 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
We interrupt your regularly scheduled posting for this important request from Duck fans:
Beat Washington.
You may now return to your regularly scheduled posting.
I'm so glad the Cheat is not dead
by GustyJ on Oct 11, 2010 7:55 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
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