Oregon 52, Washington State 6

High point

As Reid Forrest’s 45-yard punt seemed to drift back toward the Oregon goal line, inexperienced punt returner Scott Grady made the wrong decision. He tried to gather it in. The ball hit him in the hands, bounced away and, after a couple more rolls, was recovered at the 1-yard line by Zach Enyeart. It took the Cougars three plays, an officials’ conference and a replay challenge, but they got it into the end zone. Marshall Lobbestael’s quarterback sneak broke the plane of the goal.

Low point

When Jeff Tuel dropped back to pass on a third down late in the first quarter, the Cougar offense was already struggling. But after he got sandwiched between Will Tukuafu and Casey Matthews, any chance of moving the ball seemed to be gone. WSU’s strategy, made mandatory by a cobbled-together offensive line, was to get Tuel in open space whenever possible, allowing the true freshman to make plays with his feet and his arm. But with a hip pointer ending his night, that strategy wasn’t an option with backup Lobbestael.

A pat on the back

Terrance Hayward is a redshirt freshman defensive back. He’s also still only 17 years old. And Saturday night, he had nine tackles, as many as anyone wearing a crimson helmet. “He did a good job,” Wulff said. “He had a good game. He’s physical.” And he should only get more so. “He’s still growing,” Wulff said. “I think he’s grown an inch or two since he’s been here.” With the loss of LeAndre Daniels and Tyree Toomer for the year, there are opportunities in the defensive backfield. Hayward is trying to grab one.

Needs fixing

The offensive line has had its trouble this season, though most of the recent ones were due to lack of players, not lack of effort. And that can change. As soon as people start returning from injuries (see below) the group should start meshing again. It may not happen this week, because guard B.J. Guerra won’t be back, but a bye follows and that off week might just be enough for nearly everyone to heal up.

Three unanswered questions

• What will the Cougars’ mood be? After the game it was written all over the faces as the players came out of the locker room. This was a team that was ticked off about the way it played. Wulff talked about it Sunday night, using phrases such as “didn’t respond” and “everyone felt pretty disappointed.” A response must come this week at practice, because Arizona State and Wulff’s former WSU coach, Dennis Erickson, come to town this week, disappointed themselves after a home loss to Oregon State.

• Who is coming back this week? It’s homecoming this week in Pullman. And the Cougars are hoping for a homecoming of sorts for some injured players. Wulff said the offensive line should be bolstered by the return of guards Brian Danaher (concussion) and possibly Zack Williams (high ankle sprain). It also looks good for receiver Jared Karstetter (hip), Tuel (hip) and safety Xavier Hicks (back), all of whom didn’t finish the Oregon game. But the outlook isn’t as bright for defensive tackle Bernard Wulfgramm (hip), who probably will miss Saturday.

• When will Nico Grasu turn it around? The junior placekicker has struggled with his placements, missing a field goal and extra point against USC and another point after Saturday. “The thing with Nico is it is really his own doing,” Wulff said. “He’s not locked in. He just needs to keep his head down and kick the ball.” After missing against the Ducks, Grasu took his frustration out on the following kickoff, unloading into UO returner Andre Crenshaw near the Duck sideline. The hit actually earned groans from the Oregon crowd.

Vince Grippi