An improbable turnover at midfield with just over four minutes to go gave WSU one last shot at tying the game on Saturday against Auburn.
After a five-yard run and two incompletions, WSU faced a 4th-and-5 from the Auburn 45. It was a critical moment in the game -- a failure to convert the play would almost certainly end the Cougars' chances of pulling out a win at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
So, Connor Halliday did the only logical thing: He checked into a running play at the line.
Wait, what?
Perhaps no play better exemplified the gains WSU has made in its running attack than this one, in which Halliday recognized a favorable matchup and then had the guts to give the ball to Teondray Caldwell, knowing that it was likely a do-or-die play for his team.
The play worked out for a 13-yard gain*, and WSU lived on to try and tie the game. Of course, that dream died four plays later when a fourth-down pass fluttered harmlessly over Dom Williams, but hey -- this was a positive thing!
Watch the video to see how it happened.
*I refer to it as a 20-yard play in the video. Actual yardage may vary.