Turning the attention to Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of the college football season. I realize that according to the AP Poll, this is actually Week 11 of the college football season, but the Cougs didn’t play in the first nine of those weeks, so they do not matter.

Before we move onto Week 2, let’s enjoy Week 1 for three more minutes.

A lot of things stand out from Week 1, but one of the most notable heading into the game against Oregon is the pass rush. The Cougars racked up four sacks against Oregon State, the most of any Pac-12 team in Week 1.

Oregon? Well the Ducks are dead last in the Pac-12 after not tallying a single sack in their season opener against Stanford.

The reason that caught my attention as much as it did is because of how drastic that shift is from last season. A year ago, WSU tallied just 23 sacks in 12 games, No. 10 in the conference. The Ducks meanwhile, had a relentless pass rush and finished with 41 sacks in 13 games, the most in the conference.

Now, before we fully turn attention to Week 2 and the Ducks, there might be a bit of unfinished business this morning. The Pac-12 will announce its first players of the week this week and with 156 total yards and 3 touchdowns, Travell Harris could easily stake claim to the first offensive player of the week award. USC’s Kedon Slovis and Colorado’s Jarek Broussard also figure to receive strong consideration.

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Football:

Pac-12 Football Notebook: Odd Heroes in Odd Start to Odd Season
Shortly before Washington State’s game against Oregon State, it was learned that running back Max Borghi, a preseason first-team all-Pac-12 selection, would not play, apparently because of a back injury.

Washington State rewind: Cougars find yet another way to use versatile receiver Travell Harris in 38-28 win | SWX Right Now - Sports for Spokane, CdA, Tri-Cities, WA
For the first time in 11 months, the Washington State Cougars played football a game that mattered, and perhaps by the skin of their teeth.

A Grip on Sports: On an eventful Saturday, just playing may have been enough for Washington State, but an upset in Corvallis made it even better | The Spokesman-Review
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Football. Not just any football, Washington State football. On a Saturday night. Cougar fans, did you wonder if you would ever have that experience again? Wonder no more. And revel in the result.

Oregon State humbled by Washington State in season opener
Instead of hitting the ground running on the path to a potential postseason berth, the Beavers received a humbling reminder about just how difficult it is to win the Pac-12.

Walk-on Ayden Hector steps up as Washington State plays without multiple strong safeties | The Spokesman-Review
Three key members of Washington State’s defense – including two strong safeties – were absent from Saturday’s season opener against Oregon State.

Swimming:

South African Sprinter Kirsten de Goede Picks Washington State for 2022
South African Kirstin de Goede has handed a verbal commitment to Washington State for fall 2022. She’s one of the nation’s top junior sprinters.