Game coverage from around SBN Found here.
Time: 2 p.m. PDT
The place: Martin Stadium - Pullman, WA.
TV: None.
Radio: Find your local station here.
The line: SMU by 6. *sigh*
Last meeting: These two schools have never competed on a football field. However, WSU does have better cheese.
When the Cougs have the ball ...
WSU | SMU | |||
Pos. | Name (# = Redshirt) | Pos. | Name | |
X | Daniel Blackledge (6-0, 175, Jr.) | RE | Taylor Thompson (6-6, 256, So.) | |
F | Jeffrey Solomon (6-5, 174, #Jr.) | NT | Chris Parham (6-0, 298, Jr.) | |
LT | Steven Ayers (6-4, 315, #So.) | LE | Marquis Frazier (6-4, 281, Jr.) | |
LG | Zack Williams (6-4, 293, #Jr.) | SLB | Patrick Fleming (6-4, 236, Jr.) | |
C | Kenny Alfred (6-2, 300, #Sr.) | BUCK | Pete Fleps (6-1, 228, Jr.) | |
RG | B.J. Guerra (6-3, 311, #So.) | MLB | Chase Kennemer (6-0, 221, Sr.) | |
RT | Micah Hannam (6-4, 284, #Jr.) | WLB | Youri Yenga (6-1, 223, Jr.) | |
TE | Tony Thompson (6-2, 241, #Sr.) | LC | Derrius Bell (5-10, 165, Jr.) | |
Z | Jared Karstetter (6-4, 203, So.) | FS | Chris Banjo (5-10, 190, So.) | |
QB | Marshall Lobbestael (6-3, 214, #So.) | SS | Rock Dennis (5-9, 186, Sr.) | |
RB | James Montgomery (5-10, 193, #Jr.) | RC | Bryan McCan (5-10, 179, Sr.) |
When Hawaii has the ball ...
SMU | WSU | |||
Pos. | Name | Pos. | Name (# = Redshirt) | |
WR | Aldrick Robinson (5-10, 176, Jr.) | LE | Travis Long (6-4, 247, Fr.) | |
LT | Kevin Bleachum (6-5, 271, So.) | DT | Bernard Wolfgramm (6-3, 288, #Jr.) | |
LG | Josh LeRibeus (6-3, 330, So.) | DT | Josh Luapo (6-0, 321, #Jr.) | |
C | Blake McJunkin (6-1 263, So.) | RE | Casey Hamlett (6-3, 250, Jr.) | |
RG | Bryse Tennison (6-2, 276, So.) | SAM | Andy Mattingly (6-4, 255, Sr.) | |
RT | J.T. Brooks (6-5, 312, So.) | MIKE | Alex Hoffman-Ellis (6-1, 233, #So.) | |
WR | Cole Beasley (5-9, 174, So.) | WILL | Jason Stripling (5-11, 225, #Sr.) | |
WR | Terrance Wilkerson (5-10, 175, So.) | LCB | Brandon Jones (5-9, 178, #Jr.) | |
QB | Bo Levi Mitchell(6-1, 201, So.) | SS | Xavier Hicks, Jr. (6-0, 211, #Sr.) | |
WR | Emmanuel Sanders (5-11, 180, Sr.) | FS | Chima Nwachukwu (5-11, 201, Jr.) | |
TB | Shawnbrey McNeal (5-10, 190, Jr.) | RCB | Daniel Simmons (5-10, 188, #Fr.) |
Special Teams ...
WSU | HAW | |||
Pos. | Name (# = Redshirt) | Pos. | Name | |
K | Nico Grasu (6-0, 221, Jr.) | K | Matt Szymanski (6-1, 185, Jr.) | |
P | Reid Forrest (6-2, 193, #Jr.) | P | Matt Szymanski (6-1,185, Jr.) |
Keys to the Game:
1. Limit turnovers. SMU does not have a good defense. Their saving grace has been 11 takeaways. If the Cougs hold onto the ball, they should be able to move down the field and put up some points. We saw last week what a string of turnovers can do this this team. That leads me to my second point...
2. Don't fall behind early. 22-3 at halftime against Stanford, 38-6 against Hawai'i. Wazzu cannot afford to bury themselves again with turnovers, three and outs, special teams mistakes, and big plays. Nuss has made the comment several times that this Cougar team has taken nearly all the fun out of watching the past two seasons. The crowd will be sparse, but keep them in their seats this time!
3. Run the ball. The Cougs are going to throw out two young quarterbacks today and they need to take the pressure off by moving the ball on the ground. SMU's run defense is suspect, so they have a chance to make some gains on the legs of Montgomery and company.
Activity to do on another tab while watching the game: Vote for Butch! He is locked in a tight battle with the badger from Wisconsin. If we can't win on the football field, maybe we can win in mascot voting! To vote, go here.
This game is our best shot to avoid the dreaded 0-12 season. Let's hope these Cougs can get it done!