Highs and lows

High point of the game

It’s easy to be sarcastic and mention in a game lost by 63 points there weren’t any high points other than the final horn. But there was one, even if it came after a touchdown that put WSU down 21-0. David Seawright’s kickoff came down in the arms of Chris Ivory at the Cougar 10 and Ivory started up the right side. But Charles Johnson, a Bears linebacker, hit Ivory quickly, seeming wrapping up the WSU runner. But Ivory somehow wriggled loose, cut to his left and was gone down the left sideline, finally forced out of bounds by John Tyndall at the Cal 22. Ivory’s 68-yard kickoff return set up WSU’s lone score, Nico Grasu’s 43-yard field goal.

Low point of the game

Again, there’s a sarcastic answer available. But those are too easy. How about the Cougars’ first pass of the game? Trailing 7-0 and facing a second-and-8, Gary Rogers took a shotgun snap and looked over a Cal defense rushing just three and playing zone behind. Though it didn’t look like he needed to, Rogers rolled left and looked down field. With little chance to hit either Daniel Blackledge or Brandon Gibson, Rogers tried anyway. Syd’Quan Thompson, who would have a 90-yard interception return later, stepped in front of the ball at the 30 and returned it to the Cougar 12.

A pat on the back

Ten days ago Reid Forrest was on crutches, still rehabilitating a broken left ankle. Rehabilitating it so hard, in fact, he was seen throwing up on the practice field after one grueling workout. The hard work paid off. Forrest returned to the field Saturday and punted eight times. The longest of those traveled a career-best 58 yards. Two were downed inside the 20. And, not only did Forrest get air under most of his punts, the punt coverage team also did its part. The Bears had just 34 yards in five returns.

Needs fixing

Last week, this featured the punting game. That was fixed (see above). This week the answer is a little more complicated. The defense gave up 505 yards of total offense, including 391 on the ground. The offense turned the ball over four times and gained just 167 yards of total offense. So they both have issues. But first and foremost WSU must decide who can run the offense at the level WSU needs. Coach Paul Wulff said the same thing after the game and he reiterated it again Sunday.

Three unanswered questions

• Who is the quarterback? A decision on who will start against Baylor will probably be made early in the week, Wulff said, but who that might be he did not say. The choice between Rogers, who started the first two games, and Kevin Lopina may just come down to how WSU wants to attack the Bears’ defense. Over the top would favor Rogers; on the ground, Lopina.

• Can the interior defense be shored up? How? Of all the spots on that side of the ball, there is none thinner than defensive tackle. Since the middle of August, the Cougars lost Andy Roof to expulsion, backups Toby Turpin and junior college transfer Jessy Sanchez to injury and, last week, starter A’i Ahmu to a half-game suspension. They are so thin, end Matt Mullennix had to play inside a couple series against Cal. Ahmu and Turpin (thumb) should be back this week.

• When will the offense start executing better? Wulff said Saturday he thought the players should be picking up the intricacies of the offense quicker, but he understands why they aren’t. The offensive line has been forced by injuries to change almost daily while the receiving corps is young. “Ya, they should,” be picking it up quicker, Wulff said, “but it’s not uncommon with youth.”

Vince Grippi