The day after hope was extinguished, again

From sunny Pullman, because of course it's sunny today. After sitting in the stands for all but the last minute or so on Saturday, I thought long and hard about what I'd write today, the day after the program's most embarrassing defeat. Think about that. We've seen losses on an absurdity scale previously unknown to mankind, and yet this team managed to do it to us again. Many of the things I considered writing were covered with far more aplomb by the magnificent Brian Floyd here.

Instead, I'll just write a little about my experience yesterday. If you don't care to read it, I've got no issue with that. If you don't want to read the links, I've got no problem with that either.

This was a big weekend for my family and me. I was taking my two boys to their first Cougar game. My family was also celebrating my dad's return to health after six months of sickness that very, very nearly resulted in his death. My boys only get to see their grandparents and cousins once or twice per year, so the whole weekend, with the game at the center, was something we'd really been looking forward to.

So of course the only day of bad weather was Saturday. What was a light and manageable drizzle at kick steadily fell harder. But hey, at least we were all together to watch the Cougs score lots of points and win, right? After a while, it was bad enough that we had to take refuge in the scores of empty seats under the suites.

By the end of the second quarter, only my brother and I remained, the other eight in our group having wisely headed home to dry out and warm up. But hey, we're shutting out this inferior opponent and surely the offense will get rolling after halftime. Once again, my brother and I were proven the fools, sitting in the cold and wind and watching our inept football team once again play its fans for idiots. When Kyrin Priester decided not to fair catch a punt despite two defenders within arm's reach, we both knew the game was over, and another season of hope (despite the fact that down deep I knew we weren't winning more than four games), was gone.

By the time we got home, my oldest son was putting together Batman Legos while his brother and cousins were either playing iPad games or chasing eachother around the house. It was yet another time where I was happy that my boys, although they like playing sports, couldn't care less about whether the Cougars win or lose. With every embarrassing episode for this football team, both on the field and off, their dad gets closer and closer to joining them in their ambivalence.

Football

Cougar football opens with disappointment in loss to Big Sky’s Portland State - Spokesman.com - Sept. 5, 2015
PULLMAN – The lowest point didn’t arrive at the end of a long descent for Washington State. Rather, it rocketed up to meet the Cougars, who thought they were in the midst of their own ascension.

WSU notebook: Quarterback Luke Falk takes big hit in rally attempt - Spokesman.com - Sept. 6, 2015
PULLMAN – As Washington State began its final drive and last chance to tie or take a lead against Portland State on Saturday, surely many Cougars fans wondered how it could possibly get worse than a loss to the FCS Vikings. Then they saw what worse looks like.

Portland St. dominates 2nd half, upsets Cougs in opener
Portland State scored all 24 of its points in the second half, and won despite being outgained 411 yards to 294 yards.

WSU stumbles at home to Portland State in opener, 24-17 | The Seattle Times
Washington State opened the season with its first home loss to a team from the Big Sky Conference as Portland State beat the Cougars, 24-17. Quarterback Luke Falk injured his throwing shoulder late in the game, though coach Mike Leach insists he’s "100 percent healthy."

Game recap: Portland State 24, WSU 17 | Sportspress Northwest
Ahead 10-0 at the half, the Cougars were embarrassed at home 24-17 by Portland State, a 30-point underdog, and the first defeat to a Big Sky Conference school since 1947.

Volleyball

Volleyball Wins Idaho Volleyball Classic Title - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
WSU swept through the Idaho Volleyball Classic and took the title with a 3-0 win over Idaho Saturday night.

Beer

Samuel Adams’s Jim Koch Picks a Dream 6-Pack of Craft Beer | Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine
This is intriguing. I started to think about what would be in my ideal 6-Pack. It would have to start with Ballast Point Victory at Sea. Throw in Southern Tier Pumking, Stone Points Unknown IPA, Left Hand Milk Stout, Terrapin Maggie's Peach Farmhouse Ale and Bale Breaker Field 41 Pale Ale.

Non-Sports

The heroin epidemic’s toll: One county, 70 minutes, eight overdoses - The Washington Post
A week ago in Washington County, Pa., there were 16 overdoses in 24 hours, and 25 over two days. Three people died.