WSU football has reason to be positive

Did yesterday's 45-10 loss in the Apple Cup hurt? Yup. I was absolutely miserable to be around all day following the game. The reason why this one was particularly painful is simple: This season we have seen WSU fight, compete, and win games in extraordinary fashion. What went down at Husky Stadium was not the product that fans have seen for the majority of the year. After being pissed all yesterday, I woke up this morning remembering that Cougar football has plenty to be optimistic about.

Things like:

• WSU was not supposed to reach six wins let alone eight
• This coaching staff has created a foundation for players to be successful
• The Cougars will have the chance to win a bowl game for the first time since 2003
• DC Alex Grinch has been phenomenal
• The team is full of young players
• The recruiting class is going to be awesome
• Luke Falk is ONLY a redshirt sophomore

Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

If fans are going to sit there and be mad about yesterday's performance they have that right. But allowing negativity to snowball is exactly the type of thing that the Cougars need to avoid right now. Now is the time to look forward to WSU's bowl game and be proud to be in this position, we had plenty to be thankful for before the game started. And as Brian Floyd articulated it: The Apple Cup was bad, but whatever.

Go Cougs!

Football

Mike Leach, Peyton Bender explain what went wrong in WSU’s 45-10 defeat to UW in Apple Cup | The Seattle Times
Mike Leach and Peyton Bender each took responsibility for the Cougars' defeat to Washington in the Apple Cup

WSU Cougars QB Peyton Bender unravels in Apple Cup | The Seattle Times
After a fast start and some sharp passes, WSU quarterback Peyton Bender throws two interceptions and fumbles twice in a 45-10 loss to Washington while filling in for injured starter Luke Falk.

Defense, turnovers fuel Washington Huskies' Apple Cup win - Pac-12 Blog- ESPN
Washington had a near-perfect day in becoming bowl eligible with a blowout win at the expense of rival Washington State.

Cougars Fall In Apple Cup - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
WSU finishes the regular season 8-4 overall

Mike Leach: Friday's Apple Cup loss got out of control as Cougars fishtail in second half - Washington State - Scout
SEATTLE – Is Washington 35 points better than No. 20 Washington State? Probably not, but when things get out of control as they did Friday in the Cougars' 45-10 Apple Cup loss, the momentum is almost impossible to corral.

Women's Basketball

WSU women defeat San Jose State, 95-80, to remain undefeated | The Seattle Times
True freshman Borislava Hristova scores a career-high 30 points, including 15 in the game’s first 10 minutes.

Freshmen Lead Cougars to Victory Over Spartans - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Borislava Hristova became the second freshman in school history to score 30 points in a game.