WSU Starts Fast, Fades Late in 34-24 Loss to Arizona
· Yahoo Sports
Washington State (1-3) and former Pac-12 foe Arizona (3-1) faced off in a game that saw WSU jump out to a quick 14-0 first-quarter lead. The Cougars were unable to continue the momentum through the second half and were defeated 34-24 by Arizona, dropping the Cougs to 1-3 on the year.
WSU won the coin toss and deferred the kickoff, giving Arizona the ball to start the game.
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Arizona’s first drive saw Linus Zunk sack Noah Fifita on the first play. After a three-and-out, Arizona was forced to punt the ball to WSU for its first offensive drive of the game.
Drive No. 1 for the WSU offense started at the WSU 29-yard line and ended with a Caden Pinnick designed run that resulted in an 11-yard rushing touchdown.
After the WSU defense again forced an Arizona punt, the ball was back in Pinnick’s hands. After a promising 41-yard drive, Pinnick threw an ill-advised pass into double coverage that was intercepted by Cam Chapa.
The WSU defense had the offense’s back and responded with a pick of its own, and Jack Bal was able to return it for a touchdown. The Cougars were up 14-0 and had taken early control of the game.
Fifita and the Wildcats’ offense would waste no time with a response of their own, as they responded with a quick five-play, 1:57, 75-yard drive that saw a 44-yard catch by Tre Spivey, which was then followed by a 28-yard touchdown catch by Spivey, who was giving the WSU secondary some serious issues.
After a quick WSU three-and-out to start the second quarter, Arizona got the ball back, and Fifita led a 78-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown catch by Spivey for his second touchdown catch of the night to tie the game at 14.
With momentum quickly swinging back to the Wildcats, Pinnick and a hurry-up WSU offense marched down to the Arizona 21-yard line. With a fourth-and-7 looming, WSU coach Kirby Moore opted to kick a field goal.
The kicking struggles continued for the Cougs as multiple Arizona defenders were able to break through the line and block the Jack Stevens field goal attempt.
The WSU defense responded with another Zunk sack on Fifita and forced an Arizona three-and-out, giving the offense 1:53 to try to take the lead before the half.
A late hit on Pinnick on the first play of the drive, followed by another flag for pass interference, had WSU with the ball at the Arizona 37-yard line with 1:38 left in the half. On the very next play, however, Pinnick appeared to throw his second interception of the day.
After a replay review, it was determined that the Arizona defender did not have control of the ball, and WSU would keep possession.
Another Arizona late hit, this time on Tank Hawkins, set WSU up at the Arizona 12-yard line.
WSU was unable to get any closer to the Arizona end zone and had to settle for a 33-yard field goal attempt.
This attempt was good, and WSU took a 17-14 lead into the locker room.
With some momentum going into the half, WSU would also get the ball to start the second half.
After a couple of WSU penalties on the first drive of the half, WSU punted the ball, and Arizona returned the punt all the way to the WSU 33-yard line.
The WSU defense was able to hold strong, forcing Arizona to attempt a 42-yard field goal. The kick was missed, and WSU held onto its narrow three-point lead.
After a 15-yard rush by Maxwell Woods to open the drive, the Wildcats’ defense was able to force WSU into a third-and-12 situation.
Pinnick felt pressure and attempted to scramble to elude the pressure. It appeared Pinnick began to try to start his throwing motion, but the ball landed onto the Gesa field turf, and Arizona recovered the ball and got the ball back in prime field position.
The WSU defense forced a fourth-and-4. Arizona originally lined up like it was going to go for it but instead called a timeout as the play clock ran down.
Coming out of the timeout, the Wildcats sent the field goal unit out. The WSU defensive line was able to get a hand on the kick, blocking it and preserving its 17-14 lead.
After a WSU three-and-out, it took Arizona just three plays to drive 82 yards, score and take a 21-17 lead.
Coming off the Arizona score, WSU was not able to get much going and was again forced to punt the ball back to Fifita and the Wildcats’ offense.
Arizona was able to drive down the field, but the WSU defense was able to tighten up on third-and-5, setting up a 27-yard field goal attempt. This one would go right down the middle, and Arizona took a 24-17 lead.
After another stalled possession for WSU, the Cougars punted the ball back to the Wildcats, who promptly drove down the field as Fifita found Isaiah Mizell for an 11-yard touchdown catch.
Arizona had officially taken control of the game and took a commanding 31-17 lead with 9:07 left in the game.
After a 24-yard Pinnick scramble to keep the following drive alive, WSU found itself in a do-or-die fourth-and-10 from the Arizona 46-yard line. Arizona sent a blitz, and with a defender hitting him, Pinnick was able to find a wide open Branden Ganashamoorthy for a 46-yard touchdown.
WSU was right back in the game, now trailing by just seven points with a little more than seven minutes to go.
The Cougar defense was able to force a 51-yard field goal, but Arizona kicker Michael Salgado-Medina was able to make the kick to push the lead to 10 for Arizona with just 1:57 remaining in the game.
WSU was unable to score on its final drive of the game. Arizona took over and took a knee to secure a 34-24 road victory in Pullman.
There will be no time for the team to hold their heads. The Cougars have their third home game in a row next week and will face Fresno State in their first Pac-12 game of the season.
Even with the 1-3 start to the season, WSU still has a lot to play for with an entire Pac-12 conference slate ahead.
WSU will need to win at least five of its last eight games to secure bowl eligibility for the third straight season.