Cougars shut out Idaho 42-0

PULLMAN – Enough mistakes were made by Washington State on Saturday that coach Mike Leach won’t have to search long for a handful of teachable moments.

The Cougars lost two fumbles in opponent territory. Their quarterback, Connor Halliday, threw two interceptions, including one at the goal line on first down.

But those errors are no more than asterisks, because WSU did far more right than wrong in this 42-0 thumping of winless Idaho before 31,521 at Martin Stadium.

This game wound up nothing more than a speed bump – and not much of one – on the Cougars’ surge toward next weekend’s showdown against No. 5 Stanford at CenturyLink Field. WSU enters that game with a 3-1 record and a chance to prove itself worthy of competing with the Pac-12’s finest.

Halliday shook off his inauspicious start – 2-of-7 out of the gate – to complete 31 of 43 passes for 346 yards. This is the second consecutive game in which Halliday has completed more than 70 percent of his passes.

There were plenty of opportunities. Idaho’s ineptitude almost cost it a touchdown on WSU’s first play from scrimmage. Nobody lined up against Cougars receiver Isiah Myers, who ran straight up the left sideline by himself. Connor Halliday threw it toward him, but the ball sailed over Myers’ head, a sure touchdown gone for naught.

No matter. There were plenty of other chances for the Cougars, who scored four touchdowns in the first half, led 28-0 at the break and cruised to their second easy victory in as many games.

The Vandals’ young secondary looked so lost that at times it seemed Halliday was simply playing catch with his receivers. A 43-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Marks in the first quarter required a couple of nifty jukes from the sophomore receiver. But a 30-yard scoring strike to Dom Williams early in the second quarter was made relatively simple after Idaho cornerback Jayshawn Jordan stopped on the wheel route and watched Williams haul it in at about the 5-yard line, then shake a tackle from the safety and walk across the goal line.

That made it 14-0, and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Halliday to senior Vince Mayle about four minutes later provided the Cougars with enough separation to believe they could roll thereafter. Halliday threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Marks with 24 seconds remaining in the first half to prove that notion true.

The Cougars did fumble on their first two possessions of the second half, and Halliday threw his second interception on WSU’s next drive on a pass he threw too high for the intended receiver.

But WSU’s defense was again stout, as it has been in each of the Cougars’ three victories. Neither Idaho quarterback – Chad Chalich or Josh McCain – was effective enough to get the Vandals into the end zone. WSU defensive tackle spent much of the day in Idaho’s backfield, and finished with 3.5 tackles for loss.

Halliday settled down after the spate of turnovers and Jeremiah Laufasa scored two rushing touchdowns, one late in the third quarter, the other early in the fourth, to push the final score into laugher territory.

Marks caught 11 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns, all career bests.

The Cougars held the Vandals on four tries inside the 2-yard line late in the game, preserving their first shutout since 2003.

WSU’s game against Stanford will kickoff at 7 p.m. and air on ESPN.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

X
Prep roundup for Monday, March 18

Prep roundup for Monday, March 18: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.