Tracking WSU's passing attack through Week 5

Another week, another solid performance from Washington State's wide receivers. Early on against Utah, it looked like the passing attack was going to turn in a well below average performance. Instead, they checked in right at average in the efficiency metrics, an impressive feat considering the weather conditions and a solid Utah defense.

Let's dig into the numbers.

WSU receivers vs. Utah

The good

Another very strong performance at the top. River Cracraft did what he does every single week. Well above average in all the major metrics. He was targeted 13 times and turned eight of those into first downs. His first down percentage of 61.5 percent would have been an excellent catch percentage. His absence in the Nevada game almost makes that an anomaly in the season. He's just so good and makes a major difference.

Vince Mayle's numbers are majorly inflated by the 81-yard touchdown, but that play counts so overall he checks in with very good numbers. He also drew a 15-yard penalty which doesn't show up anywhere.

I keep expecting Dom Williams to decline. He can't possibly keep up this small sample production. Except we're not through five weeks and he is still maintaining. Four targets, four catches and an absurd YPT. More on Williams later.

The overall numbers turned out just fine. The 7.6 YPT is slightly below average for wide receiver YPT, but the 1.6 YPR is a tick above average. Overall, that performance will get it done most weeks.

Not as good

Another rough week for the H receiver spot. Nine total targets for just 40 yards and a single first down. If that spot gets it together at some point with the way the outside receivers and the Y spot are performing, the Cougar passing attack could be close to unstoppable. Whether that happens remains a significant if.

A second straight down week for Isiah Myers. That's back-to-back lackluster performances following his huge game against Portland State. Myers did have a 20-yard gain called back due to a hands to the face penalty.

Dom Williams at the Z?

You'll notice Myers played 68 snaps which is a lot, but no where near the total 86 plays WSU ran. Drew Loftus only saw a single snap and Kristoff Williams missed another week. Instead of rotating in Loftus with Myers, the coaching staff instead moved Dom Williams over to the No. 2 Z. He got backup snaps at both the X behind Mayle and the Z behind Myers. Not much came of it, as he didn't catch a pass while lined up as the Z, but the move gets WSU's best playmakers on the field more often. I wouldn't imagine it to be a long-term thing with Kristoff Williams apparently working his way back, but we'll see.

Of note, Loftus played the first backup snap at Z before Williams took the role over. It's possible, trailing 21-0, the move was simply to add a little more firepower to the attack. Regardless, it's an interesting change.

WSU receivers in 2015

A game away from the midway point of the season and the numbers remain excellent across the board. There are very few nits to pick in the overall receiver line.

Cracraft, Myers and Dom Williams remain above average in YPT and YPR. Mayle coming close to joining them. The numbers Cracraft is putting up from an inside spot on that many targets are very impressive. Dom Williams still only has 27 targets, but hey, he's done a lot with those 27 targets. I still doubt he'd maintain them with a increased target percentage, but who cares. If he can continue to produce near this level in a situational role, that is a really valuable role.

YAC

With the help of Mayle's long catch and run, it was a decent day for yards after the catch. Mayle led the way with 82 YAC, Cracraft was second with 50 while Galvin did some nice work on screens to rack up 41 YAC. Here is how the receivers have fared after the catch this season.