College football preview: WSU looks to rally from loss

PULLMAN — Coming off their second loss of the season, the No. 25 Washington State Cougars will face a familiar opponent Saturday, traveling to Corvallis, Ore., for a matchup against the Oregon State Beavers. 

The Cougars surrendered a two-score lead in the second half against New Mexico last week, falling 38-35 after leading 28-14 at halftime. 

“Very disappointing loss,” WSU Head Coach Jake Dickert said at a press conference Monday. “We went down there with one mission and one mission only. I thought when we watched back on the film, the guys were focused and energized. At the end of the day, we played a bad half of football in all three phases.” 

WSU took a 28-14 lead late in the second quarter on a 29-yard touchdown catch by receiver Kyle Williams, though the Lobos rallied to tie the game at 28 with two third-quarter touchdowns. New Mexico took the lead with a 19-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, to which the Cougars responded with a 37-yard touchdown catch by Williams to retake the lead with just over three minutes to play. 

However, the Lobos marched down the field with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to take the lead back with 21 seconds left on the clock. Unable to tie the game, WSU fell to 8-2 on the season. 

“They made the plays at the end of the game, and we didn’t,” Dickert said.  

Up next on the schedule is Washington State’s lone conference game of the 2024 season; a road tilt against the 4-6 Beavers, who are amid a five-game skid after beginning the season at 4-1. 

The Cougars and Beavers are the two remaining members of the Pac-12, as the other 10 teams from the 2023 season joined the Big 10 and Big 12 conferences.  

“We’ve been waiting to compete with these guys,” Dickert said. “They’ve dealt with a lot of adversity, we’ve dealt with a lot of adversity. I think it’s going to be energized, their stadium’s going to be packed, I think there’s going to be a lot of Cougs there.” 

Dickert noted the uncertainty when it comes to quarterback at Oregon State; Gevani McCoy, a transfer from Idaho, opened the season as the starter but was benched during OSU’s 44-7 loss to California. Quarterback Ben Gulbranson filled in for McCoy in games against California and San Jose State but missed last week’s game against Air Force with an injury. Quarterback Gabarri Johnson and McCoy filled in for Gulbranson last week. 

“It’s hard to get a beat and a pulse on them – I'm sure that’s what they’re feeling a little bit offensively as well, in who gives them the best chance at winning,” Dickert said. “We’ll prepare for all three.” 

Oregon State relies on its ground game, led by running back Anthony Hankerson who has rushed for 889 yards and 14 touchdowns on 198 carries this season. As a team the Beavers average 198.4 rushing yards per game, 25th-best in the country. 

“We’ve got to tackle this week,” defensive back Stephen Hall said at a press conference Tuesday. “They’re going to do a lot of things to put the corners in a fit, so we’ve got to have our eyes right and make the right reads.” 

Kickoff between the Cougars and Beavers is at 4 p.m. Saturday. 

Regional College Football Action 

Central Washington (8-3) at No. 10 Western Colorado (10-1) 

The NCAA Division II Football Championship Playoffs begin on Saturday for the Central Washington Wildcats, who will face the Western Colorado Mountaineers for the second consecutive season. 

Central defeated the Mountaineers in the first round of the playoffs last season, winning 16-13 in overtime on a 30-yard touchdown reception by receiver Darius Morrison on CWU’s second offensive play of overtime. 

"It will be a battle," CWU Head Coach Chris Fisk said in a release. "They are an extremely talented team from top to bottom. Both teams have a majority of players back from last year's game, which I'm sure revenge for them will play a little bit of a factor as they want to avenge that overtime loss last season." 

Kickoff between the Wildcats and Mountaineers is at noon Saturday. 

Eastern Washington (4-7, 3-4 Big Sky) at No. 21 Northern Arizona (7-4, 5-2 Big Sky) 

Eastern wraps up the 2024 season with a road tilt against No. 21 Northern Arizona on Saturday, a game which the Lumberjacks need to win to help lock up a postseason berth.  

The Eagles won last week’s matchup 77-42 against Idaho State, as a run-heavy attack amassed 478 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground against the Bengals. Quarterback Kekoa Visperas completed all 14 of his passes for 206 yards and a touchdown in the win. 

Kickoff between the Lumberjacks and Eagles is at noon Saturday in Flagstaff, Ariz. 

    Central Washington opens the NCAA Division II Football Championship Playoffs on Saturday on the road against No. 10 Western Colorado.
  

    Eastern Washington receiver Efton Chism III, left, looks to make a defender miss during last week’s game against Idaho State. EWU takes on No. 21 Northern Arizona on Saturday.