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.