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"Here we go again"
I don't care how much faith you have in the current WSU team, you probably had that thought at some point on Saturday, even if it was in the back of your mind. We've all been down this road before. The Cougars look great on both sides of the ball and you think a corner has been turned. Then big-play-after big play pile up for the other team, causing any cushion on the scoreboard to evaporate.
When Utah cut WSU's lead to six early in the fourth quarter, I couldn't help but think back to the Colorado game last year. WSU jumped out to a big lead then, only to see the Buffaloes rattle off big plays and storm back. WSU led by six late in the game, but failed to finish and lost 35-34.
Not this time. Not this team.
After the game Mike Leach said he doubted last year's team would have won this game and it's hard to argue with him. The win is just another example of how far essentially the same group of players have come in a year. They are far from perfect, but they play hard and showed incredible resiliency the last two weeks. The best part is they aren't done yet.
I'd be remiss if I cut to the links before including possibly the greatest thing in the history of Twitter.
Damante Horton before the game:
Last game in Martin stadium today #takeover #pick6
— Pick 6 (@TakeOverTae) November 23, 2013
Damante Horton after the game:
Pick 6
— Pick 6 (@TakeOverTae) November 24, 2013
Well played, Damante.
Football:
Just look at the Cougars now, baby - Spokesman.com - Nov. 24, 2013
As at every other campus Neverland, there’s an odd cocktail of ironic whimsy, chutzpah and why-the-hell-not good cheer that often carries the day at Washington State.
Senior secondary shines in final Pullman game - Spokesman.com - Nov. 24, 2013
Early in a game filled with big plays, Utah’s walk-on quarterback Adam Schulz completed two passes to guys wearing charcoal-colored jerseys who ran the other way for touchdowns in what turned out to be the margin of victory for Washington State.
After hitting a low point vs. Utah last year, WSU hits high notes | Cougar Football | The Seattle Times
It was a little more than a year ago that the Mike Leach regime scraped bottom on a bright, sunny afternoon in Salt Lake City. Against Utah.
Utah football: Washington State passes over Utes | Deseret News
There’s a lengthy list of woes for the Utah Utes following a 49-37 loss at Washington State.
Utah football notebook: Utes fail to register a sack | Deseret News
For the first time this season, the Utah Utes failed to register a sack in a game. The national leaders with 36 were unable to get to Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday.
Cougars beat Utah 49-37, become bowl eligible - Spokesman.com - Nov. 23, 2013
The Washington State students who resisted the urge to get a head start on their Thanksgiving break were rewarded with a postgame celebration that had little to do with the name or record of the Cougars’ opponent.
Utah football: Loss at Washington State ends Utes’ bowl eligibility | The Salt Lake Tribune
The Utah Utes may have had the will, they just didn’t have the way. Saturday’s 49-37 loss to Washington State just about sums up Utah’s shortcomings this season.
Recap: Washington St vs. Utah | AthlonSports.com
Connor Halliday threw four touchdowns as the Washington State Cougars were victorious over the Utah Utes 49-37 in a Pac-12 contest at Martin Stadium.
Utes lose to Washington State, will not play in a bowl game | FOX13Now.com
Utah will not go to a bowl game for the second year in a row after losing 49-37 to Washington State Saturday.
Cougars refuse to wilt - Spokesman.com - Nov. 24, 2013
When the Cougars took on Utah a year ago they were beaten 49-6 in Salt Lake City. After the game, coach Mike Leach sent out his offensive and defensive lines to take questions from the media as units to answer for what he considered a lackluster effort.
Jacob Thorpe’s Keys to the Game - Spokesman.com - Nov. 24, 2013
What went right The Cougars could seemingly do no wrong offensively. While there were a number of standouts on the offensive side of the ball, the sterling performance of the line made the difference in WSU’s win. Utah led the nation with 36 sacks entering the game but was unable to lay a finger on QB Connor Halliday.
PULLMAN, Wash.: Washington State beats Utah 49-37 | WSU Cougars | The Bellingham Herald
Washington State picked up its sixth win on Saturday to become bowl eligible, but that's not good enough for quarterback Connor Halliday.
Washington State beats Utah to become eligible for bowl game | Bud Withers | The Seattle Times
Damante Horton, Washington State cornerback, was musing on another one of his pick-sixes for the Cougars. But he could have been talking big picture, too, about WSU’s seemingly interminable campaign to get to a bowl game. "Sometimes," he said, "it doesn’t feel like it’s real."
Cougars take a thrilling win over Utah, 49-37 - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Connor Halliday threw for 488 yards and four touchdowns as Washington State beat Utah 49-37 on Saturday to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2006.