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With the launch of SB Nation United this morning, these morning links are coming to you a little later than usual, but better late than never right?
Like all Tuesday's during football season, today's main focus is on the press conferences WSU held on Monday. Mike Leach held his usual weekly press conference and he was joined by Xavier Cooper, Travis Long and Connor Halliday. Although there are nearly 45 minutes of total video, two comments will likely stand out.
"We deserve to have the game here." -- Xavier Cooper
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) September 24, 2012
Connor Halliday on the Seattle Game: "I'd prefer that every home game is in Pullman."
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) September 24, 2012
Halliday's comment is what you expect a player to say in that situation. Of course he would prefer the game is in Pullman, he like any player, would probably prefer all games were in Pullman. Cooper on the other hand, well I'm not so sure Bill Moos will love that comment.
There was also some depth chart news on Monday with Gabe Marks moving from the "Z" receiver spot to the "Y" receiver spot. That moves Marks from the outside to the inside and will allow he and Isiah Myers to be on the field at the same time. Brett Bartolone moves over to the "H" with Bobby Ratliff now backing him up. It's an interesting move, but it should allow for Marks to see more snaps, which is a very good thing.
Onto the videos.
WSU Football: Mike Leach press conference Sept. 24 (via WSUCougarAthletics)
WSU Football: Connor Halliday Press Conference - Sept. 24 (via WSUCougarAthletics)
WSU Football: Travis Long Press Conference - Sept. 24 (via WSUCougarAthletics)
WSU Football: Xavier Cooper Press Conference - Sept. 24 (via WSUCougarAthletics)
Football
COUGARS MATCHUP AGAINST No. 2 OREGON IN THE SEATTLE GAME: Washington State University continues Pac-12 Conference play Saturday, facing second-ranked University of Oregon in The Seattle Game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
SPOKANE — Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday said Monday that he would rather play No. 2 Oregon in Pullman this weekend instead of in Seattle.
WSU depth chart, week 5 - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 24, 2012
FROM PULLMAN — As usual, there are a few changes to Washington State's depth chart.
Mondays with Mike Leach, part 1 - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 24, 2012
FROM PULLMAN — Mike Leach met with reporters for about 20 minutes today, covering topics ranging from the Colorado game to Oregon to Matthew McConaughey. Read on for a transcript of the first half of his press conference.
Mondays with Mike Leach, part 2 - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Sept. 24, 2012
FROM PULLMAN — Here's the rest of Mike Leach's press conference, with player videos, as well.
Quick look at Week 5 Pac-12 games - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
No. 2 Oregon at Washington State (2-2, 0-1) 10:30 p.m., ESPN: This game will be played at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. The Ducks lead the series 46-36-7 and have won five in a row against the Cougars, including a 43-28 win last year. The Cougars last won 34-23 in 2006.
Did WSU fans get ahead of their skis? | Pac-12 Confidential | The Seattle Times
In a word: Yes. A lot of Washington State football faithful are still reeling today, unable to come to grips with at 35-34 loss to Colorado that -- given the game circumstances alone -- was almost unfathomable. WSU had a 31-14 lead with about eight minutes left and was inside the Colorado 20, and yet it lost to an 0-3 team that had dropped a game to an FCS team and then a 69-14 laugher to a non-BCS-league team, Fresno State, that would itself lose the next week.
Dumb blog: Pac-12's unexpected look - Pac-12 Blog - ESPN
Know how many Pac-12 teams are presently ranked in our week 5 power rankings in the same slot where we projected them in the preseason? Zero. Take a look out our most recent power rankings. The number to the right is the preseason ranking.
Long, Cougars rank among sack leaders - Spokesman.com - Sept. 25, 2012
PULLMAN – It might be overshadowed by the doom and gloom surrounding Washington State’s disastrous 35-34 loss to Colorado on Saturday.
Oregon Ducks rundown: Sneak peek at Washington State | OregonLive.com
New coach Mike Leach, known for his high-powered passing offenses, achieved much success at Texas Tech, going 84-43 from 2000 to 2009. But he has his work cut out for him in trying to transform Washington State into a Pac-12 contender. WSU is coming off a rather stunning home loss to Colorado, which had been 0-3 and last week lost 69-14 to Fresno State.
WSU Cougars aren’t waving white flag | College Sports - The News Tribune
PULLMAN – John Fullington knows what people are saying about his Washington State football team. He doesn’t like it, but the critics are hard to ignore.
With Oregon-Washington State: Q&A with WSU beat writer Howie Stalwick | OregonLive.com
1. How in the world did WSU lose to Colorado?
Basketball
Cougars sever ties with point guard - Spokesman.com - Sept. 25, 2012
PULLMAN – Washington State announced Monday that senior point guard Reggie Moore, the team’s third-leading scorer last season, has been dismissed by men’s basketball coach Ken Bone for a violation of team rules.
Cougars dismiss guard Reggie Moore | College Sports - The News Tribune
PULLMAN – The Washington State men’s basketball team, plagued in recent years by players transferring or turning pro early and by recruits failing to qualify academically, now must find a new starting point guard.
Moore dismissal a step back for Wazzu - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
Reggie Moore was not an efficient player. Let’s get that out of the way right away. He shot 37.1 percent from inside the arc last season, and 33.3 percent from beyond it; he finished the year with an effective field goal percentage of 40.6 and an offensive rating of 97.8 percent. With the exception of the 32.8 percent assist rate Moore posted in 2012, there are few flattering statistics in the junior guard’s 2012 efficiency profile .
Whatever chance Washington State had of contending for a postseason berth next season has all but vanished in the past month.
WSU Athletics
Fans of Washington State University football pledged more than $14,000 during the first days of a new "Another Cougar First Down" program to honor WSU broadcasting Professor Glenn Johnson.