EUGENE, Ore. – Losing is nothing new to the Washington State Cougars, but the prospect of an uncommonly gruesome loss looms large today at seventh-ranked Oregon.
The Cougars have lost three consecutive games and gave up 44 points in each of the past two. The Ducks have averaged more than 52 points during six consecutive wins.
Perhaps a more telling statistic is Oregon has won the past four meetings with Washington State by an average score of 52.8-12.5. The results were even uglier the previous two times the Cougars visited Eugene: a 53-7 loss in 2007, and a 52-6 loss in 2009.
The Cougars will play without injured quarterback Jeff Tuel (collarbone, calf). The Ducks might be missing quarterback Darron Thomas (knee) and running back LaMichael James (elbow), but WSU defensive coordinator Chris Ball said that will not impact the Cougars’ defensive game plan.
“No,” Ball said, “because the other guys are just as good.”
Quarterback Bryan Bennett and running back Kenjon Barner indicated as much by turning in fine performances last week in place of Thomas and James in a 45-2 rout of Colorado. The Ducks are favored by 351/2 points at homecoming, so coach Chip Kelly might hold out Thomas (who said he expects to start) and James even if they’re healthy.
“We know the team (WSU) isn’t that good,” Oregon wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei said.
Oregon ranks among the national leaders with per-game averages of 48 points, 323 rushing yards and 537 total yards.
“The key thing is tackling,” Ball said. “All their big plays come off missed tackles.”
Oregon’s defense ranks sixth in the Pacific-12 Conference with 388 yards allowed per game, partly because the Ducks score so quickly.
Oregon is second in scoring defense at 20.3 despite ranking last in time of possession at 24 minutes, 28 seconds.
“We’ve won the last two championships in this league because of our defense,” Kelly said.
The Ducks boast outstanding team speed and operate their no-huddle, spread offense at a blistering pace. Oregon has worn out defenses with far more talent, depth and experience than that of Washington State.
EXTRA POINTS
Senior Marshall Lobbestael, who started the first five games and has played in all seven, replaces Tuel at quarterback. … Freshman running back Rickey Galvin may add punt return duties today for WSU. The Ducks came into the week leading the nation in net punt yardage with a 45.1 average. … Oregon averages almost twice as many yards per rushing attempt as WSU (7.3-3.7). … The Cougars rank second in the Pac-12 in passing (313.1). The Ducks are 10th at 214.3. ... Oregon has won 16 conference games in a row and 20 consecutive home games. … Today’s game will be the 79th consecutive sellout at Autzen Stadium. Partly sunny, low-60s weather is in the forecast. … Cougars radio analyst Jim Walden, who coached Paul Wulff at WSU, told Seattle’s KJR-AM that athletic director Bill Moos and school president Elson Floyd are “too smart” to fire Wulff . Wulff is 8-36 in four years at WSU.
COUGARS GAMEDAY
WASHINGTON STATE (3-4, 1-3 PACIFIC-12 CONFERENCE) AT OREGON (6-1, 4-0 PAC-12)
NOON, Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Ore.
TV: Root Sports. Radio: 770-AM, 1240-AM, 104.3-FM.
The series: Washington State leads, 43-38-7. Oregon won last year in Pullman, , 43-23, .
What to watch: The Cougars have yielded 44 points each of the past two games to offenses that lack the speed and quick-scoring capability of Oregon’s no-huddle attack. LaMichael James might be the best college running back, and if his balky elbow keeps him on the sideline, backup Kenjon Barner averages 11.5 yards per carry in Pac-12 games. The Cougars run the risk of humiliating themselves on national television if their line play isn’t substantially better than in last week’s loss to Oregon State. WSU quarterback Marshall Lobbestael lacks mobility, and the Cougars are giving up plenty of sacks.
THE PICK: Oregon, 56-20.
PRIME NUMBERS
WASHINGTON STATE
No. Name (position)Ht./Wt.Year
9Marshall Lobbestael (QB)6-3/215Senior
Passed for 1,570 yards, 15 TDs, four INTs in five starts.
86Marquess Wilson (WR)6-4/183Sophomore
Leads WSU receivers with 41 catches, 763 yards, six TDs.
17Alex Hoffman-Ellis (OLB)6-1/231Senior
Fiery team leader tied for sixth in Pac-12 with 50 tackles.
6Dante Horton (CB)5-10/174Sophomore
Tied for Pac-12 lead with three interceptions – one in each of past three games.
OREGON
5Darron Thomas (QB)6-3/215Junior
Dangerous runner has passed for 1,227 yards, 17 TDs, three INTs in six games.
21LaMichael James (RB)5-9/195Junior
Run for 852 yards (9.0-yard average), eight TD’s in five games.
56Josh Kaddu (OLB)6-3/235Senior
Leads team with seven tackles for loss, five quarterback sacks.
20John Boyett (FS)5-10/202Junior
Leads Ducks with 44 tackles.
Howie Stalwick, contributing writer
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