PULLMAN – For three years, Washington State defensive coordinator Chris Ball unfailingly met with the media – no matter how ugly the loss, and so many of the losses were incredibly ugly – and tried to explain what went so terribly wrong with the Cougars’ defense that particular day.
Ball’s media responsibilities have been substantially more pleasant to handle this season. After losing 32 of 37 games the previous three years, the Cougars are 2-0, partly because Ball’s defense has provided solid support to WSU’s high-octane offense.
“I think we’re fast,” Ball said after the Cougars limited UNLV to 158 yards in a 59-7 rout Saturday. “I think we’re smart.
“We’re a year older. We’re stronger. We’ve got a little bit of swagger.”
UNLV averaged 2.9 yards per play, compared with 7.9 yards for WSU. The Rebels gained just 60 yards on 20 passes (11 completions).
Last season, WSU’s young, inexperienced defense gave up 6.7 yards a play. That ranked among the worst marks in the country along with WSU’s per-game yields of 246.8 passing yards, 220.2 rushing yards, 467.0 total yards and 35.8 points.
WULFF ALERT
WSU coach Paul Wulff acknowledged prior to the season that his 5-32 record at his alma mater made this a crucial year for him.
So far, so good.
“These players like each other. They LOVE each other,” Wulff said after Saturday’s win.
“That’s what makes us different. When you have that – great programs, you have that continuity and develop that trust.
“You’re developing that family. You develop the intensity and attitude. Those are our four convenants.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Cougars almost recorded their first shutout since a 25-0 win over Idaho in the 2003 opener in Seattle. … WSU has won two straight, and two consecutive home games, for the first time since 2007. … Marshall Lobbestael tied a school record with four touchdown passes in one half. He added a fifth (one shy of Jason Gesser’s 2006 school record) in the second half. … The 610 total yards is WSU’s highest total since 638 against Portland State in 2008. … WSU walk-on Sam Sampson, a first-year player who served in the Army in Iraq, waved an American flag at midfield prior to the game. A moment of silence was held prior to the game in memory of 9/11. ... Dozens of Cougars fans waving WSU flags manned spots along the side of the highway from Spokane to Pullman before the game. … WSU’s next game in Pullman is Oct. 15 against Stanford. The Cougars play a home game in Seattle versus Oregon State on Oct. 22, then return to Pullman on Nov. 15 against Arizona State and Nov. 19 against Utah. … The 52-point margin of defeat ranks fourth in UNLV history. … The Rebels have lost 12 straight road games since 2009. … WSU is 5-0 all-time against UNLV.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.