TUCSON, Ariz. – It’s not easy keeping up with Washington State’s long, long list of losing streaks, but here’s an update after Saturday’s 48-7 loss at Arizona:

Overall – six.

Conference – six.

Road – 13 (counting two “home” games in Seattle).

Against Arizona – four.

At Arizona – two.

In the state of Arizona – five.

Grass fields – seven.

Top 25 opponents – nine.

The Cougars are 1-18 against Top 25 teams since 2004. The lone victory was a 34-32 decision over No. 16 Oregon in 2006.

And if you’re keeping track of WSU’s remarkable ineptitude in first quarters, the Cougars have now been outscored 145-3 in opening quarters this season. Dating to the final three games of 2008, the difference is 159-3.

Arizona led 24-0 after one quarter and 34-0 at halftime. Both point totals are season highs for the Wildcats, as was the 48 total points, but they were not season highs against WSU.

Grant returning

Former Puyallup High School star Adam Grant, finally healthy as a fifth-year senior at Arizona, said he plans to return next season with an NCAA medical hardship waiver.

Asked how many times he’s undergone knee surgery, Grant simply smiled and said, “A few times.”

The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Grant is starting at right tackle on one of the most potent offenses in the nation. The Cougars have one of the worst defenses in the country, but Grant said the Wildcats said they saw on game tape that WSU plays hard, so they didn’t overlook their guests Saturday.

“You can’t look past people,” said Grant, who offered special praise for WSU redshirt freshman Dan Spitz, a defensive end and tackle.

Grant said he will pursue a master’s degree in higher education.

Halliday celebration

Wenatchee High School coach Scott Devereaux offered high praise for incoming WSU recruit Connor Halliday, who passed for 284 yards and three touchdowns for Ferris of Spokane in a first-round state playoff win Friday night at Wenatchee.

According to wsufootballblog.com, Devereaux told a postgame radio audience, “He’s the real deal. I’ve been coaching here for 15 years, and he’s the best quarterback I’ve seen.

“He reminds me a lot of Drew Bledsoe when he was at Walla Walla in the ’80’s. He’s a stud.”

Halliday broke the single-season passing record for the Greater Spokane League that had been held by former Washington State quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien. In 10 games overall, Halliday has thrown for more than 3,000 yards.

The 6-foot-5, 186-pound Halliday is expected to redshirt next year while trying to add weight and strength. Scout.com rates Halliday the 40th-best college quarterback prospect among high school seniors.

Extra points

Senior running back Dwight Tardy led the Cougars with 44 rushing yards – 37 coming on one play – to move into eighth place in school history with 2,126 career rushing yards. Tardy passed Ken Grandberry and needs only 4 yards to pass Michael Black. … WSU senior safety Xavier Hicks led all players with 11 solo tackles and 12 total tackles. … The Cougars have allowed more than 400 yards every game this season. … Twelve freshmen have started for the Cougars, counting surprise starter Jared Byers at fullback on Saturday. Byers started the season at linebacker but has drawn praise from coaches for his blocking at fullback. … Jeff Tuel tied Drew Bledsoe’s WSU record of five starts at quarterback as a true freshman. … Junior Reid Forrest moved ahead of Glenn Harper into eighth in Cougars history in career punting yards (7,873). ... Arizona rushing leader Nic Grigsby, whose two highest rushing totals have come against WSU, sat out the game with a shoulder injury. ... A married couple, graduates of Arizona, just donated $10 million toward the Wildcats’ football stadium expansion project. WSU’s athletic donations for the past fiscal year totaled less than $7 million.