Cougars’ defense steps up

Give this win to the Washington State defense.

The Cougars defeated Oregon State 13-6 Saturday night in Corvallis in a game that, if not dominated by defenses, was at least decided by them.

WSU (4-2 overall and 2-1 in Pac-10 play) cracked the OSU end zone just once, a 29-yard, third-quarter touchdown pass from Alex Brink to Jason Hill. It was Hill’s 30th career scoring catch, but it came on his last play of the night.

Just like last season against OSU, Hill was hurt in the third quarter – this time a bruised right shoulder – and did not return.

The score came on a drive that included two replay reviews, both of which - rightly it seems to me - were decided in WSU’s favor.

And his one touchdown catch was enough, thanks to two first-half Loren Langley field goals - more on that later - and a Cougar defense that at times bent and at other times attacked.