Difference makers: Defense, running game sets tone for Washington State in win over Colorado
![Washington State Cougars defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa (50) battles Colorado during the first half of a college football game on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. Tyler Tjomsland/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)](https://thumb.spokesman.com/uO6q6eDqVn9RLDznlEJuDvMVKgE=/600x0/media.spokesman.com/graphics/2018/07/sr-loader.png)
Hercules Mata’afa
He didn’t end up with gaudy numbers – five tackles, one for a loss – but the junior defensive tackle set the tone by stuffing Colorado’s productive running back Phillip Lindsay on the Buffaloes’ first play from scrimmage. And on CU’s second possession, he forced a punt by wrestling down Lindsay for a two-yard loss on third-and-3.
Jamal Morrow
The senior tailback led the charge for WSU on the ground, and he wasn’t too bad in the passing game, either. Morrow effectively put the game away with a 9-yard cutback TD run early in the third quarter and finished with 101 total yards (73 rushing, 28 receiving).
Jalen Thompson
Thompson, the Cougs’ sophomore strong safety, set a career high with a team-best 10 tackles and recovered a late fumble. Though he didn’t have a pass breakup, Thompson helped make life miserable for CU starting QB Steven Montez in the first half.