SAN DIEGO – Marquess Wilson was hardly in the mood to celebrate after Washington State blew a 10-point lead in Saturday’s loss to San Diego State, but Wilson caught six passes for a career-high 236 receiving yards.
“He’s a great player,” WSU quarterback Marshall Lobbestael said.
“Marquess is getting better and better,” offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy said. “He’s got a ways to go. He’s young still.
“He’s taken a huge step up from a year ago.”
That’s saying a lot, since Wilson led Football Bowl Subdivision freshmen with 1,006 receiving yards last season.
Wilson caught 80- and 76-yard touchdown passes Saturday. The 80-yard bomb came on WSU’s first play from scrimmage.
“It was a great call by Coach Sturdy,” Lobbestael said.
TUEL TIME
X-rays were scheduled today in Pullman on Jeff Tuel’s broken collar bone. Trainer Bill Drake said the Cougars want to check on the healing process.
Drake said he’s guessing Tuel will be out another month. The junior quarterback did not start in WSU’s season opener Sept. 3 due to illness, then was injured in the only series he played in the game.
STARTERS INJURED
Junior college transfer Taylor Meighen made his first start at center for WSU when senior Andrew Roxas watched the game on crutches. He suffered a sprained ankle last week against UNLV.
Defensive tackle Toni Pole, who sprained a knee in practice earlier in the week, was able to start and play regularly. Defensive end Adam Coerper suffered a sprained knee during the game and left the stadium on crutches.
HAPPY REUNION
Paul Wulff renewed acquaintances with San Diego State athletic director Jim Sterk, who hired Wulff as WSU’s coach when Sterk was the Cougars’ AD.
“Both of us probably didn’t know how hard it was going to be,” Sterk said, “but I think he’s somebody who’s going to persevere through tough times.
“He has great faith and strength. I think he was the right person to build it the right way. You could have taken some shortcuts (with more junior college transfers), but I think he’s tried to build it long term.”
Wulff returned the compliments.
“Jim’s a wonderful man,” Wulff said. “He did a lot for Washington State.”
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