With multiple games and Marquess Wilson's statement, Saturday was not short on Washington State news. With more than two dozen links and videos, we have plenty to get to today.
There is a lot to digest here, but I'll do my best to organize it all. Let's get the videos out of the way early, with postgame interviews from both the WSU athletic department and Christian Caple.
WSU Football: Mike Leach after UCLA game. Nov. 10 (via WSUCougarAthletics)
WSU Football: Connor Halliday after UCLA game. Nov. 10 (via WSUCougarAthletics)
WSU Football: Cyrus Coen after UCLA game. Nov. 10 (via WSUCougarAthletics)
Dennis Simmons after UCLA, 11/10 (via SRchristianc)
Dominique Williams after UCLA., 11/10 (via SRchristianc)
Before we get to the links, a quick bit of news to pass on about next week's game.
For those who didn't see earlier tweet -- ASU sports info wiz @dougtammaro informs that WSU vs. ASU will kick at 12 p.m. PT. Happy day.
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) November 11, 2012
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Football
WSU rally can’t make up for horrible start - Spokesman.com - Nov. 11, 2012
PULLMAN – Mike Leach had no interest in discussing the sour stuff. And this time, the Washington State coach had no problem praising his team’s effort after a massive halftime deficit wound up a closer-than-expected loss.
Williams, Ratliff pick up the slack - Spokesman.com - Nov. 11, 2012
PULLMAN – Dominique Williams, for one, didn’t seem too affected by the absence of departed receiver Marquess Wilson on Saturday.
Mike Leach mum on Wilson, but praises WSU effort - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Nov. 11, 2012
Mike Leach didn't want to discuss Marquess Wilson on Saturday night, but he termed his team's effort one of the best he's seen as a coach despite UCLA winning 46-38. We have a transcript of Leach's comments below, so read on.
Tale of the tape: UCLA 44, WSU 36 - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Nov. 11, 2012
FROM PULLMAN — We'll keep this quick because it's late, but here we go with our capsulated look at UCLA's 44-36 win over WSU. Read on.
Late rally may have saved a fractious day | Bud Withers | The Seattle Times
PULLMAN — Saturday night, Washington State hailed the arrival of ESPN cameras on campus for the first time in 21 years, and a legion of pops for their annual Dads Weekend festivities.
WSU vs. UCLA Postgame Notes -Washington State Athletics
Postgame notes from WSU's game against UCLA.
Quick Hits: No. 17 UCLA 44, Washington State 36 - CBSSports.com
WHAT WSU LOST: With the Marquess Wilson fiasco hanging over the program, the Cougars made things worse by playing sloppy, uninspired football in the first half. Though WSU did mount a valiant comeback, it could be that the once-promising Mike Leach era in the Palouse is in peril.
Christian Caple’s Keys to the Game - Spokesman.com - Nov. 11, 2012
What went right The Cougars at least never stopped trying in this one, despite falling behind 37-7 and 44-14. Connor Halliday led the Cougars on five touchdown drives, including four in the second half to keep things somewhat interesting. And there was a little more room for WSU to run this time, as the Cougars netted 67 rushing yards. Cyrus Coen’s sack, interception and fumble recovery highlighted WSU’s defensive effort.
Rapid Reaction: UCLA 44, Washington State 36 - Los Angeles Ucla Blog - ESPN Los Angeles
The UCLA Bruins completed the road portion of its regular-season schedule with a 44-36 victory over the Washington State Cougars on Saturday night in Pullman, Wash.
2Minute Drill | Cougar Football | The Seattle Times
Players of the game • UCLA freshman quarterback Brett Hundley completed 18 of 21 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. • • Washington State...
UCLA-Washington State grades - Los Angeles Ucla Blog - ESPN Los Angeles
The UCLA Bruins took a big lead, then hung on for a 44-36 victory over the Washington State Cougars in a Pac-12 game on Saturday night in Pullman, Wash.
UCLA deflates Washington State | bruins, game, ucla - The Orange County Register
PULLMAN, Wash. -- OK, now UCLA's football players can look ahead to their game Saturday against rival USC. They certainly don't want to look back.
NCAA College Football Recap - UCLA Bruins at Washington State Cougars - Nov 10, 2012 - CBSSports.com
PULLMAN, Wash. -- UCLA coach Jim Mora saw his team jump out to a 30-point lead, then need to hang on to beat Washington State 44-36 on Saturday night.
Men's Basketball
WSU rolls over EWU in Cougars' season opener - Spokesman.com - Nov. 10, 2012
PULLMAN – Sometimes basketball is a simple game. At least it was Saturday evening at Beasley Coliseum.
Washington State rolls past Eastern Washington in season opener | Cougar Basketball | The Seattle Times
Brock Motum scored 23 points to lead the Washington State men's basketball team to a season-opening 88-69 win over Eastern Washington on Saturday night.
Washington State Cougars - Men's Basketball
Official Basketball Box Score Eastern Washington vs Washington State
Washington State vs. Eastern Washington - Postgame Notes - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Final Score: WSU 88, EWU 69 Washington State Notes:
Marquess Wilson
WSU receiving leader Wilson leaves team - Spokesman.com - Nov. 11, 2012
PULLMAN – In a letter faxed Saturday to The Spokesman-Review and other media outlets, Marquess Wilson, Washington State’s career leader in receiving yards, announced he has left the Cougars and their program of "physical, emotional and verbal abuse."
Dennis Simmons says abuse claim 'laughable' - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Nov. 11, 2012
WSU outside receivers coach Dennis Simmons spoke with media just after midnight inside the Bohler athletic complex, and he had some strong words when asked about Marquess Wilson. Read on.
Wilson firestorm overwhelms game | WSU Cougars - The News Tribune
PULLMAN – The 17th-ranked UCLA Bruins were challenged but overcame Washington State, 44-36, late Saturday night at Martin Stadium. Not that it mattered
Wilson’s parting shot bruises Cougars - Spokesman.com - Nov. 11, 2012
PULLMAN – We have now reached the "Coach, are you still beating your players?" phase of the Mike Leach era at Washington State. Old joke. Not very funny.
Wazzu WR Marquess Wilson quits and accuses Mike Leach and his staff of abuse on his way out the door | Dr. Saturday - Yahoo! Sports
Not saying there's no merit to Wilson's claims, it just seems like it's probably not all Leach's fault. Leach is a hardass, there's no disputing that, but this is also major college football and Washington State hasn't played at that level in awhile.
Cougars receiver Marquess Wilson claims 'physical, emotional and verbal abuse' | Cougar Football | The Seattle Times
Marquess Wilson, Washington State's career-leading receiver suspended by the football program last week, issued a letter Saturday afternoon saying he's done at the school and alleging "physical, emotional and verbal abuse" by Mike Leach's first-year coaching staff.
Marquess Wilson fires back at Washington State staff - ESPN
Washington State receiver Marquess Wilson, suspended from the team this week, accused coach Mike Leach and his staff of abusive behavior on Saturday.
Women's Basketball
WSU Falls To Minnesota in Double Overtime Despite Galdeira's 33 - The Washington State University Official Athletic Site
MINNEAPOLIS - Freshman guard Lia Galdeira set a Washington State freshman single-game record with 33 points as the Cougars dropped their season-opener 87-83 in double overtime to the University of Minnesota at the Best Buy Classic Saturday.
Washington State women lose opener in double overtime | College basketball | College Sports | The Seattle Times
Lia Galdeira made a memorable first impression for the Washington State women, but the Cougars lost to Minnesota 87-83 in double overtime Saturday in the opener for both teams.