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Washington State’s defensive line depth was questionable heading into this season. When Jonathan Lolohea left the team in mid-August, the depth became more worrisome. Then, Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei had some NCAA clearance issues that prevented him from playing in last week’s season opener at Wyoming.
Combine that with the fall camp absences of Nnamdi Oguayo and Derek Moore—Oguayo returned in time for Wyoming—and fans were rightfully worried about the d-line’s ability to stop the run and get to the quarterback.
All that worry went away after the line’s impressive play against Wyoming. Mike Leach talked to reporters after practice last night about Aiolupotea-Pei. From The Spokesman-Review:
The coach didn’t have an update on Aiolupotea-Pei’s status as of Tuesday afternoon when he met with reporters following practice in Pullman.
“No, we’re still waiting to hear,” Leach said. “We should hear anytime, Labor Day obstructed it a little bit.”
If the Cougars hear from the NCAA soon, Leach said there’s still a chance Aiolupotea-Pei could make his college debut at home versus the Spartans.
“Yep,” Leach said, “and should be allowed to, deserves to.”
So, nothing new on that front, although these things can suddenly change at a moment’s notice.
The San Jose State game should allow plenty of players to gain some playing time. Here’s to hoping the NCAA can remedy the situation and allow Aiolupotea-Pei to play.
Football
LG Liam Ryan earns the Bone Award after grading out the best for the offensive line who didn’t allow a sack and tallied 2 rushing TDs in the win at Wyoming!#GoCougs | #GoonSquad pic.twitter.com/36LYpDpXx2
— WSU Cougar Football (@WSUCougFB) September 5, 2018
Dillon Sherman earns our Special Teams Player of the Week after recording one special teams tackle and graded out the best on his play assignments!#GoCougs pic.twitter.com/e6dLqt8ULc
— WSU Cougar Football (@WSUCougFB) September 5, 2018
With 2 tackles, one pass breakup and an INT, Marcus Strong is our Defensive Player of the Week after the win at Wyoming!#GoCougs | #SpeedD pic.twitter.com/zBakF5diQJ
— WSU Cougar Football (@WSUCougFB) September 5, 2018
Washington State DL Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei could return for San Jose State game | The Spokesman-Review
Aiolupotea-Pei, a JC transfer from California’s Riverside City College, didn’t travel with the team for last week’s season opener at Wyoming because the NCAA was still processing his paperwork, Leach told Matt Chazanow last Thursday on his weekly coach’s show.
2018 College Football Empires Map, Week 1 - SBNation.com
The rules are explained below, we’ve already had huge chunks of land change hands, and we also have a continuation of 2017’s map.
Pac-12 power rankings: College Football Playoff chances, Heisman hopes both take hits after opening weekend | The Spokesman-Review
The weekly Pac-12 power rankings from Spokesman-Review Washington State beat writer Theo Lawson.
Washington State receiving six votes in latest edition of Associated Press Top 25 | The Spokesman-Review
WSU had not received any votes in the preseason AP Top 25, but got seven in the Coaches’ Poll. The Cougars are now getting 11 votes in week two of the Coaches’ Poll.
Love him or loathe him, there’s more than one side to Mike Leach – The Athletic
Maybe the Mike Leach college football fans think they know isn’t the real Mike Leach. He’s certainly not the Mike Leach his players know.
‘Best Coast’ Football: Microsoft-inspired play calls, birth of the Turnover Throne and more from the West in Week 1 – The Athletic
Your weekly review of all things college football on the West Coast including Big Man Touchdowns, a new-look BYU offense and Five Things You Don't Know about Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky.
Soccer
Cougs up to #17 in the latest @UnitedCoaches Poll while sitting at #14 in @TopDrawerSoccer's rankings. Another week to put another notch on the belt in non-conference play. #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/rFPgS7JWlE
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) September 4, 2018
No. 17 Soccer Comes Home to Face Idaho - Washington State University
The regional rivals square off Thursday at Lower Soccer Field.
Volleyball
Back in the top-25, Cougs come in at #23 in the newest @AVCAVolleyball Coaches Poll.#GoCougs #RiseAgain pic.twitter.com/rF8g4bV68L
— Cougar Volleyball (@wsuvolleyball) September 3, 2018