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WSU vs. OSU score: Cougars punishing Beavers at halftime, 45-17

WSU got the ball first and didn't let off the gas for the first 30 minutes.

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Through 30 minutes of play, the WSU Cougars are absolutely hammering the hapless Oregon State Beavers, 45-17. The Cougars got off to a fast start offensively and never slowed down, scoring on all seven of their possessions -- six touchdowns and one field goal.

Luke Falk has been on absolute fire, repeatedly finding the weaknesses in the OSU defense. Early on, he picked on OSU's corners, who had been left to single cover Dom Williams and Gabe Marks. That proved to be a pretty terrible idea:

<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If you like touchdowns, you should get to <a href="https://twitter.com/Pac12Networks">@Pac12Networks</a> now! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCougs?src=hash">#GoCougs</a>&#10;&#10;<a href="http://t.co/868RAc8Emj">http://t.co/868RAc8Emj</a> <a href="http://t.co/ylLkmo31dy">http://t.co/ylLkmo31dy</a></p>&mdash; WSU Cougars (@WSUCougars) <a href="https://twitter.com/WSUCougars/status/655480882896113664">October 17, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-video" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gabe Marks pulls down another TD for <a href="https://twitter.com/wsucougfb">@WSUCougFB</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OSUvsWSU?src=hash">#OSUvsWSU</a>&#10;&#10;WATCH: <a href="http://t.co/YfMNDWLu5w">http://t.co/YfMNDWLu5w</a> <a href="http://t.co/n1elGbCnyc">http://t.co/n1elGbCnyc</a></p>&mdash; Pac-12 Networks (@Pac12Networks) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pac12Networks/status/655487092659757056">October 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Once OSU got wise to it, Falk started throwing darts to the gaps down the middle, particularly on the final drive of the half. All told, Falk was 28-of-33 in the first half for 333 yards and 6 TDs. Williams has 9 receptions for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Marks has 5 receptions for 74 yards and one TD.

The running backs have been doing work, too, and are a large part of the reason why the receivers are finding so much space. OSU dared WSU to run early in the game, and the Cougars obliged: Gerard Wicks, Jamal Morrow and Keith Harrington combined for 10 carries and 77 yards.

Oh, and Morrow added a pair of receiving TDs just for fun. Including this one:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jamal Morrow has scored TDs on each of his last two touches! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoCougs?src=hash">#GoCougs</a> <a href="http://t.co/uto1EO3iXg">pic.twitter.com/uto1EO3iXg</a></p>&mdash; WSU Cougar Football (@wsucougfb) <a href="https://twitter.com/wsucougfb/status/655494868014227457">October 17, 2015</a></blockquote>

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They are the first two touchdowns of his career.

About the only blemish for the Cougs have been a kick return for TD by OSU (sigh) and a drive in which OSU QB Seth Collins got loose for a big gain and then later eluded a tackle in the red zone to score the Beavers' lone TD. Otherwise, OSU has been a bit of a clown show, including a failed fake punt inside their own 20 and a failed onside kick.

WSU has outgained OSU 399-155, and the Cougars are averaging a ridiculous 8.9 yards per play.

Full stats:

wsu osu first half stats