WSU vs. OSU: Ioane Gauta and his teammates really were that good on defense

Let's take a look back at the Cougars' 19-6 loss to No. 14 Oregon State by diving into the numbers a little bit. What can they tell us about how WSU performed?

Hot Cougar Action: Sunday morning links

Links following WSU's 19-6 loss to Oregon State.

WSU vs. OSU: Mike Leach undecided on Jeff Tuel or Connor Halliday against Cal

In his postgame news conference, the coach of the Washington State Cougars, Mike Leach, reflected on the loss to the Oregon State Beavers and what the performance of his quarterbacks means for next week.

WSU vs. Oregon State final score: Turnovers doom the Cougars, Beavers prevail 19-6

The Beavers were expected to win, and both teams were supposed to put up points. Only one of those happened on Saturday afternoon.

WSU vs. OSU Score: No. 14 Beavers lead Cougars at the end of the third, 13-3

The mistakes just keep on coming, but WSU hasn't been able to take advantage as the Cougars still trail the No. 14 Oregon State Beavers, 13-3.

The second half started as a repeat of the Oregon second half, as OSU opened with a 10-play touchdown drive that ended with a 12-yard pass from Sean Mannion to Markus Wheaton.

Mike Leach decided to put Connor Halliday, whom he had benched in favor of Jeff Tuel for the final drive of the first half, back in the game. He was intercepted on his first pass by Jordan Poyer -- Poyer's second of the game.

Already deep in WSU territory, OSU started driving again, but the WSU defense -- which has been excellent all game long -- came up big again when Casey Locker intercepted a bobbled pass. Leach put Tuel back in the game, but it didn't make any difference, as the Cougars were unable to do anything with the Beavers' third turnover of the game.

WSU vs. OSU Score: Beavers lead the Cougars at the half, 6-3

After a first half filled with mistakes by both sides, the Oregon State Beavers lead the Washington State Cougars, 6-3.

This wasn't expected to be a low-scoring game, but turnovers and penalties have thwarted both offenses repeatedly, as the two teams have just 262 total yards combined. The Cougars have turned the ball over three times: Twice on Connor Halliday interceptions and once on a fumble when the snap hit the receiver motioning across the formation.

OSU quarterback Sean Mannion hasn't been a whole lot better, throwing a pair of interceptions himself. He's 11-for-23 for just 114 yards after playing as well as any quarterback in the Pac-12 in the first three games of the year.

In fact, it's that WSU defense that's been the real story for WSU fans. Much maligned after giving up big plays throughout the first five games of the season, Travis Long, Ioane Gauta and Justin Sagote have led the Cougs to their best defensive half of the year. Sagote and Long have been all over the field, pressuring Mannion all day. One such play led to Gauta getting an interception.

Yes, there was a Fat Guy Interception -- he rumbled deep into OSU territory, to boot.

OSU's final drive of the half, which followed Halliday's second interception, went inside the WSU 10. But the defense stiffened up again, holding the Beavers to just a field goal.

Halliday's mistakes cost him, as Mike Leach benched him in favor of Jeff Tuel for the final drive of the first half. Halliday was just 8-of-18 for 71 yards with two interceptions and no touchdowns Tuel's first pass was a 51-yard completion to Marquess Wilson.

The reception led WSU into OSU territory, but the drive stalled after a sack and a pair of incompletions.

At Texas Tech, Leach once benched then-sophomore Graham Harrell for a couple of series before putting him back in. It will be interesting to see if Tuel finishes the game or if Halliday heads back in.

WSU vs. Oregon State: Jeff Tuel replaces Connor Halliday in 2nd quarter

Connor Halliday had a rough start against Oregon State, and Mike Leach has made a move.

WSU vs. OSU Score: Beavers lead Cougars 3-0 after first quarter

After one quarter of play, the Oregon State Beavers lead the Washington State Cougars by a score of 3-0.

The Beavers got on the board with a 30-yard field goal by Trevor Romaine that was set up by a 32-yard, third down completion from Sean Mannion to Brandin Cooks in which the receiver found the soft spot in what appeared to be a cover two.

The Cougar defense, though, has played very well outside of that one third down conversion. Following a Connor Halliday interception in WSU territory on the second drive of the game, the D stopped OSU on a fourth down attempt to keep the Beavers from scoring again.

After another three-and-out by the Cougar offense, the defense again came up big. After giving up some chunks on the ground as OSU drove deep into Cougar territory, WSU forced a pair of negative running plays to set up a third and long on which they forced Mannion into an interception by Deone Bucannon.

Meanwhile, the WSU offense has struggled mightily. Halliday has already thrown that interception, on which he forced the ball to a covered player as Gabe Marks sat in the zone with nobody within 10 yards of him and clear path to a first down. And most of his other passes have been off, too.

Halliday, who is now 5-of-10 for just 9 yards, ended the first quarter by converting a third and long from near his own goal line. Maybe that can provide some momentum heading into the second quarter.

WSU vs. Oregon State football: Game thread and TV schedule

The Cougars are on the road in Corvallis. This is the place for the best discussion of the game.

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

Everyone's favorite 12-pound furry Coug fan is back with his beer of the game as WSU travels to Corvallis.

WSU vs. OSU: Community Prediction

Who will win today's game? You tell us.

Hot Cougar Action: Gameday links

WSU takes on Oregon State at 3 p.m. PT, here are some links to keep you busy until then.

WSU vs. Oregon State: Preview, game time, TV schedule, odds, and more

The Cougars head to Corvallis to take on the undefeated Beavers on Saturday. This is the place to find all you'll need to watch the game.

WSU vs. Oregon State: How did Sean Mannion get so good?

In this week's Q&A session with SB Nation's OSU site, Building The Dam, we explore how it is that the Beavers QB has been able to make a huge leap forward this season as the team has ascended up Associated Press poll.

Connor Halliday bounces back from injury, takes starting job

A hit to the liver against Utah, then another on the first day of spring camp, prevented Connor Halliday from challenging for the starting job. Fully recovered, Halliday has been thrown into the fire, and he's learning fast.

WSU vs. Oregon State: A depressing looks at stats

Take a look at Washington State's all-time win/loss records against Pac-12 teams. Or don't. Might be a good idea to just cover your eyes and run.

Hot Cougar Action: WSU vs. OSU gambling fun facts

Here are a few interesting stats as Washington State prepares to face Oregon State on Saturday.

Pac-12 Odds: Picking against the spread for Week 6

I bet you $20 I can get you gambling by the end of Week 6!

Hot Cougar Action: Mike Riley talks Cougs

Mike Riley discussed what he expects to see when the Cougars face the Beavers on Saturday.

WSU Vs. OSU most important person: Defensive backs

It's usually late in the season when the Beavers make their big run. But at 3-0 and sporting a top-25 ranking, OSU is off to a hot start. If WSU wants to walk out of Corvallis with a win, they've got to stop Sean Mannion and the talented receivers he throws to.

Hot Cougar Action: Abdullah brothers on 'Outside the Lines'

Hamza and Husain Abdullah appeared on ESPN's "Outside the Lines" on Tuesday.

WSU vs. Oregon State: Connor Halliday keeps job over presumably healthy Jeff Tuel

When Jeff Tuel came in for a battered Connor Halliday on Saturday against Oregon, many wondered who would take the reins this week against the Beavers. It appears we have our answer, both for this week and beyond.

Traveling with the Cougs: Corvallis, Oregon

Heading to Corvallis this weekend to watch the Cougs take on the Beavers? We give you places to stay, eat and stuff to do for your trip to the Willamette Valley.

WSU Gameday: Game time and television info vs. No. 14 Oregon State

Washington State played what Coach Leach called their most complete game of the year so far. Can they keep their momentum into this week's game against Oregon State?

Mike Leach on 16mm film, B12 shots and belts

Mike Leach had one of those press conferences on Monday, discussing 16mm film, B12 shots in his rear-end and belt styles.