HCA: Two Cougs land on ESPN Mid-Season All-American list

The college football season is officially six weeks in and with that, ESPN released their mid-season All-American list. Two familiar faces land on the list of 25 released on Monday as Cody O’Connell and Hercules Mata’afa earned their way into the roster.

Left guard Cody O’Connell has helped the offensive line give Cougar quarterbacks enough time to complete over 71% of their passes for 2,352 yards and throw for 22 touchdowns. O’Connell has been creating holes all over the place for the Cougar running backs as well as they have combined for just under 500 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

O’Connell became the second unanimous first team All-American for the Cougars last season and is already on his way to becoming earning that title once again.

On the other side of the ball ESPN awarded defensive tackle Hercules Mata’afa. While leading the Pac-12 in both sacks and tackles for a loss, Mata’afa has also been the leading force for the Cougars Speed D. Last season he earned multiple first and second All-Pac-12 awards at the end of the season and Mata’afa is hoping to improve on those awards and earn himself All-American honors this season.

Other members of the Pac-12 that were named to this list include Stanford’s Bryce Love, Utah’s Matt Gay, and Washington’s kick returner Dante Pettis.

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Football:

Penn State Nittany Lions RB Saquon Barkley leads 2017 ESPN college football midseason All-American team
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The Clemson Tigers and the Washington State Cougars both face conference road tests Friday night as large betting favorites at the sportsbooks.

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PULLMAN – More after-hours football awaits the Washington State Cougars this season. It was announced Monday that the Cougars’ Oct. 21 home game game against Colorado will start at 7:45 p.m. – the fifth WSU game of the season set to kick off at 7:30 or later, but the latest of the batch so far. ESPN will carry the national broadcast.

Leach talks expanded playoffs, upcoming game – The Daily Evergreen
WSU football Head Coach Mike Leach did not spend much time talking about the Cougars’ high ranking at a football news conference Monday, though just days ago the team (6-0, 3-0) broke into the Associated Press’ top-10.

Washington State kicker Erik Powell named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week | The Spokesman-Review
In a 33-10 win at Oregon on Saturday, Powell connected on all four of his field goal attempts including one that was longer any the fifth-year player had made during his WSU career.

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What is it? No. 8 Washington State (6-0, 3-0) tries to keep its unbeaten season alive when the Cougars travel to Cal (3-3, 0-3) for their second Friday night game in three weeks. Where is it? Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, California.

Volleyball:

WSUCougars.com | Washington State University Athletics
The Washington State University volleyball team, 13-5 overall record and 2-4 in Pac-12, is home in Bohler Gym again this weekend..

Golf:

WSUCougars.com | Washington State University Athletics
Due to snow, the Paintbrush Invitational has been cancelled.