Vince Mayle not a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award

Vince Mayle is coming off his second 200-yard receiving game of the season and ranks in the top two in the country in both receptions (t-first) and receiving yards (second). Those numbers, however, were not enough for Mayle to make it into the final three for the Biletnikoff Award. The finalists were announced on Tuesday with Amari Cooper from Alabama, Rashard Higgins from Colorado State and Kevin White from West Virginia selected as the final three.

On pure numbers, you can make a good case Higgins and Cooper belong on the list ahead of Mayle. Higgins leads the Nation in receiving yards and touchdowns and is averaging a ridiculous 18.8 yards per catch. Cooper trails Mayle by 55 receiving yards, but has a 15.0 YPC average compared to Mayle's 13.9. Cooper also has 11 receiving touchdowns compared to Mayle's nine. No major issue there.

The biggest question is White. His 98-1,270-9 line is subpar to Mayle's 101-1,404-9 line. West Virginia is 6-5, but that's really the only advantage White has over Mayle. The timing of the voting may have come into play. Mayle is coming off a 15-catch, 252-yard performance against Arizona State. That game helped Mayle pull ahead of White who caught seven passes for 63 yards last week. If votes were already cast, the argument would be much closer. White also gained a lot of attention from some flashy catches and seven 100-yard games to open the season. His production has trailed off in a big way recently and he has just 250 receiving yards in the last four games. Mayle has 623 yards in his last four.

While Mayle won't add a fancy trophy to his resume, he will complete the best statistical season for a wide receiver in WSU history on Saturday. Only 31 players have topped 1,500 receiving yards in a season since 2000 and Mayle has a good chance to join that list.

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Football

WSU practice: no sign of Vince Mayle - SportsLink - Spokesman.com - Nov. 25, 2014
He'll have a chance to pad those statistics in the Apple Cup according to his coaches, despite his Tuesday absence. When asked if the team would have Mayle available on Saturday coach Mike Leach replied, "Yes, we should. We're all healthy. Why wouldn't we?"

Huskies' head coach Petersen prepares for first Apple Cup | HeraldNet.com - Sports
When Chris Petersen arrived at Boise State, he quickly learned the nature of the Broncos’ biggest rivalry game. In Boise, they hate the University of Idaho.

Apple Cup flashback: When Bob Gregory was a ‘glaring weak spot' on the Washington State defense | Husky Football Blog | Seattle Times
Going through The Seattle Times archives today, I found this gem from the great Craig Smith in a story printed on Nov. 19, 1986, three days before legendary WSU coach Jim Walden would coach the Cougars for the final time. The 12th-ranked Huskies beat the Cougars, 44-23, in Pullman.

Confident Cougar: Vince Mayle having best season ever by WSU receiver | The Columbian
For Washington State senior wide receiver Vince Mayle, it's not just good hands and fast feet that make him the top pass catcher in team history. It's confidence.

Steve Gleason to be Inducted into WSU Hall of Fame - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Cougar great Steve Gleason will be inducted into the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame in an in-game presentation Saturday, WSU Director of Athletics Bill Moos announced Tuesday.

Men's basketball:

Cougars Head to Great Alaska Shootout - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Fresh off its home-opening win, Washington State University men’s basketball (1-2) heads to Anchorage, Alaska for the GCI Great Alaska Shootout, Thursday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 29 at UAA’s new facility, Alaska Airlines Center.

Women's basketball:

Cougars Fend off Pirates - Washington State University Official Athletic Site

In its opening road game of the 2014-15 season, the Washington State University women’s basketball team (4-1) defeated the Hampton University Pirates (0-4), 74-60. Senior Tia Presley led the Cougars, dropping 36 points in the game. The total is one point shy of her career record and tied for the third-best single-game performance in program history.

Tia Presley leads WSU women to victory | Cougars | The Seattle Times

Women’s Basketball Recognized in AP National Poll - Washington State University Official Athletic Site

Washington State women’s basketball appeared in the receiving votes category of the Associated Press Top-25, released this week.

Baseball:

An Off Day in the Dominican Republic - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
The Washington State baseball team took advantage of a day off from the diamond with a trip to the beach, Tuesday.