WSU vs Cal: Presenting evidence Wazzu runs the Air Raid

A look at some central Air Raid concepts the Cougs ran effectively against Cal. While stats and tallies in the loss column say they still have a ways to go, WSU demonstrated they can operate a few staples of a Mike Leach offense.

WSU vs. Cal: Golden Bears blow up the defensive game plan

Coming into the game against California, Golden Bears fans were nervous about the prospect of their sack-happy offense facing a WSU defense that had shown surprising ability to get to the quarterback.

Connor Halliday's mistakes prove costly, forcing Mike Leach's hand

Why was Connor Halliday benched on Saturday and, likely, for the foreseeable future? It's simple, really.

Hot Cougar Action: Morning after Cal

Recaps, interviews and more following WSU's 31-17 loss to Cal.

Cal vs. WSU Final Score: Cougs fall flat again, Golden Bears win 31-17

Cal won its second-straight game with a beatdown in Pullman on Saturday night.

WSU vs. Cal Score: Cougs hanging tough, trail 24-10 at the end of the 3rd

As WSU heads into the fourth quarter, the Cougars trail California 24-10 but are driving in Golden Bear territory.

The Cougars looked as if they might be left for dead when Cal took the opening drive of the third quarter 71 yards in nine plays -- most of it on the ground -- to claim a 21-3 lead.

But WSU came back with what might have been its best drive of the year, a 10-play, 75-yard masterpiece in which Jeff Tuel -- who relieved an ineffective Connor Halliday in the first quarter -- repeatedly made quick, decisive reads to take advantage of an aggressive defense to march down the field. It was capped with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Brett Bartolone, who ran a mesh combination with Gino Simone to perfection.

Tuel is now 20-for-37 for 208 yards.

The Cougar defense got a stop on the next drive, and momentum seemed to be fully shifting when Leon Brooks ripped off a 40-yard run on the first play after the punt. But the Cougs stalled out from there, as drops continued to plague the WSU wide receivers.

Cal tacked on a 52-yard field goal, and that was the end of the scoring for the half.

Marquess Wilson Injury: WSU receiver knocked out vs. Cal after taking shot to the head

A vicious helmet-to-helmet hit following a dropped pass in the end zone knocked Marquess Wilson, WSU's top receiver, from the game against Cal.

WSU vs. Cal Halftime Score: Golden Bears lead 14-3 as Cougars continue to sputter

New week, same story for WSU, which trails Cal 14-3 at the intermission.

Starting quarterback Connor Halliday was once again benched, this time in the first quarter after throwing another pair of interceptions. Jeff Tuel moved the team a bit better, as the Cougs did rack up 196 yards of offense in the first half. But the team again struggled in the red zone, settling for yet another field goal on its one shot in close.

In the meantime, Cal used a big-time play and a bruising rushing attack to put a couple of touchdowns on the board.

The first TD came on a slant to Cal's stud receiver Keenan Allen. The Bears went with an empty backfield, and the Cougs countered with a five-man rush and a cover 1 look; when the slant was completed and the single-high safety Deone Bucannon missed the tackle, Allen was off to the races.

The second TD came at the hands of C.J. Anderson, part of a four-headed monster -- with Isi Sofele, Brandon Bigelow and Zach Maynard -- that has gained 157 yards on the ground. For the first time this year, WSU's defensive line has been unable to stand its ground. Travis Long has been a virtual non-factor, and Ioane Gauta has regularly been driven back.

The only thing that has kept the game from getting even more out of hand has been a pair of fortuitous interceptions by Maynard. Both times, the short throw was high and wide before being tipped by the receiver up in the air.

WSU has suffered a pair of injuries, as well. Standout receiver Marquess Wilson took a vicious shot to the head after dropping a touchdown pass and has not returned to the game -- he's roaming the sidelines without a helmet. Teondray Caldwell also was knocked from the game when he was hit hard running down the sidelines. He appeared to be out cold after the hit, but walked off under his own power.

WSU vs. Cal score update: Bears lead 7-0 after 1st quarter

Upon further review, the first quarter of WSU's game against Cal is over.

Cal vs. WSU Football: Open game thread and TV schedule

The WSU Cougars go for their first Pac-12 win against Cal on Saturday night. This is the place to discuss all the action.

WSU vs. Cal: Community prediction

Washington State is set to host California Saturday night, who do you think will win?

Cal vs. WSU football: Baxter's beer of the game

The internet's most famous Pekapoo is back with his beverage of choice for Cal's visit to WSU.

Cal vs. WSU football: Preview, game time, TV schedule, odds, and more.

Cal visits WSU on Saturday night. Both teams are 2-4, but the Golden Bears are heavy favorites to win.

Hot Cougar Action: Gameday is here

Washington State squares off with California tonight, but in the meantime we have some gameday links.

WSU vs. Cal: Cougars' offense killing itself on early downs

WSU's third down conversion rate is among the worst of the country, but that doesn't mean the Cougars are bad on third down.

Hot Cougar Action: Friday morning links

Washington State football and men's basketball news from around the web.

WSU vs. Cal: Which Zach Maynard will show up on Saturday?

In this week's Q&A session with California Golden Blogs, we discuss the Cal QB's erratic tendencies, why the Cougs should be scared of Chris McCain, and whether Jeff Tedford will survive this rocky season in Berkeley.

Cal vs. WSU football preview: Steve Williams and the Golden Bears defense

The Cal defense has been among the Pac-12's best for the last few years, and not much has changed in 2012.

Hot Cougar Action: WSU has one midseason All-American, can you guess who it is?

WSU has one player on Phil Steele's midseason All-American list, although it may not be who you think.

Cal vs. WSU Football Preview: Keenan Allen and the Golden Bears Offense

The Cal Golden Bears may be 2-4, but their offense has shown the ability to put up points against some good defenses.

Hot Cougar Action: Analyzing the latest Mike Leachism

We try to figure out what the heck Mike Leach was saying following Tuesday's practice.

WSU Gameday: Game time and TV schedule vs. California

California is coming off of a performance that may have saved their season. Was the UCLA game a fluke or have the Golden Bears turned over a new leaf?

Connor Halliday is Mike Leach's starter, and dead bodies are everywhere

Why is Connor Halliday starting? Who are those "empty corpses" Mike Leach called out? And why is everybody dead?

WSU vs Cal: Connor Halliday to be your Gun-Slinging Overlord for the foreseeable future

Mike Leach announces Sophomore QB Connor Halliday will remain the starter.