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Although he has 120 attempts under his belt, Luke Falk still remains somewhat of a mystery. We've moved beyond the stages of questioning his arm strength and we've seen him have success while a defense throws a variety of looks his way. Still, he'll only make his second start this week and it's hard to have a feel for how he will perform.
It wouldn't be a shock if he has a good game. He played very well against a solid pass defense in Oregon State. Yet, he's a freshman with limited experience and there are going to be growing pains. Washington State's offense hasn't fared very well against the Sun Devil defense since Mike Leach took over. Connor Halliday threw for only 300 yards last season, averaging 5.6 yards per attempt. The Cougars were nearly shut out against ASU in 2012, mustering only a touchdown in the final minute of a 46-7 loss. Jeff Tuel and Halliday combined to average just 4.9 yards per attempt. WSU averaged just 5.2 yards per attempt in 103 attempts the last two years with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
Saturday is going to be a big test for Falk and an impressive accomplishment if he passes. Arizona State is only No. 76 in the country, allowing 7.2 yards per attempt, but seems to have the Air Raid figured out. Oregon State looked pretty good against the Air Raid in recent seasons too, then Falk shredded the Beavers. Falk is completing 70 percent of his passes on the season averaging 7.5 YPA. At some point on Saturday, something is going to have to give.
Personally, I think he falls somewhere between what he's done so far and how the Cougars fared against ASU recently. I'll go 36-of-57 for 377 yards and three touchdowns.
Can Falk continue his early success? Will the Sun Devil defense once again prove to be Cougar kryptonite? Weigh in in the comments with your predicted stat line for Falk on Saturday.
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Football:
Ex-WSU defensive back Jordan Simone clicks with Arizona State - Spokesman.com - Nov. 20, 2014
For a year Jordan Simone stood in the stands watching the Sun Devils play like any regular student, trying to convince those around him that, yes, he actually was a member of the team.
Washington State Cougars visit 13th-ranked Arizona State | College Football | Tri-CityHerald.com
Following a heartbreaking loss to Oregon State last weekend, the 13th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils will try to avoid another upset on Saturday when they host the Washington State Cougars in a Pac-12 Conference clash at Sun Devil Stadium.
ASU Football: Matchup of the week vs. Washington State - House of Sparky
Can Taylor Kelly overcome himself?
Washington State at Arizona State | Lindy's Sports
QB Luke Falk, a redshirt freshman, made his first start in place of the injured Connor Halliday two weeks ago at Oregon State. He passed for 471 yards, the most by a WSU quarterback in his first start. He threw touchdown passes to five receivers.
Women's basketball:
Nebraska avenges home loss to WSU women | Cougar Basketball | The Seattle Times
Tear’a Laudermill scored 20 points Wednesday night and No. 16 Nebraska used a big second-half run to pull away from Washington State 82-61.
Cougars Battle No. 16/15 Nebraska, Fall 82-61 - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State battled No. 16/15 University of Nebraska tough until a decisive scoring run by the Cornhuskers midway through the second half keyed them to an 82-61 victory at Beasley Coliseum Wednesday.
Men's basketball:
Ranking the Pac-12 Classes of 2015: #10 Washington State - Pacific Takes
Also keep in mind that the Pac-12, as a whole, absolutely has destroyed the 2015 recruiting process so far. Washington State is 79th in the country, yet still 10th in the Pac-12.