In an unpleasant, grinder of a game, Washington State proved to be the team best equipped to execute its goals when things were not easy. On the heels of a similar toughness-measuring contest at Stanford, the Cougars beat up then outlasted UCLA, 27-21, on Saturday in Martin Stadium.
First field goal WSU was given great field position on its second drive, and quickly got to the UCLA 19-yard line. But the Cougars failed to connect on three consecutive passes, forcing Mike Leach to see if WSU could make its first field goal of the season. Erik Powell connected on a 36-yarder in the rain, giving WSU a lead it would never relinquish.