SEATTLE – A couple of things jumped out at the Washington State University defensive coaches as they scouted film of Grambling State prior to Saturday’s game at Qwest Field.
For one, the Tigers have some huge fellows on their offensive line. At the same time, the WSU staff noted, some of those giants were not all that agile.
The game plan, then, was for the Cougars to exploit their quickness up front in trying to slow the Grambling State offense.
Did it work? Did it ever.
Blitzing occasionally, but still playing largely a base defense, the Cougars completely stymied the visitors on the ground, holding them to a mere 11 net yards rushing. WSU also put considerable pressure on Grambling State quarterback Bruce Eugene, sacking him seven times for 45 yards and often hurrying his throws.
The quickness factor, said WSU defensive coordinator Robb Akey, “was something we thought would work to our advantage, yes. That’s a dad-gum big offensive line. Those suckers are big, but they didn’t handle movement (from defensive linemen) very well. We’d gone into the game hoping that’d be the case … and I think that worked out well for us.”
About the only disappointment for the defense, Akey admitted, was a Grambling State touchdown late in the third quarter. An 11-yard touchdown pass from Eugene to Henry Tolbert came on a fourth-and-goal play, and on the only Tigers drive that really threatened to get into the end zone.
“That was disappointing (for the coaches) and I know it was for our players,” Akey said. Getting a shutout “is one of the things you’d like to accomplish. As a defense, you can take pride in something like that. But it was a solid win.”
Memorable day: WSU backup quarterback Gary Rogers, the Kamiak High School product, said he had “about 10 or 15” family and friends at Saturday’s game.
What they saw was Rogers experiencing what he called “a dream come true” by playing in Qwest Field, home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. “I want to play in the NFL someday, so playing here was pretty cool,” he added.
Rogers, a redshirt freshman and WSU’s No. 3 QB, got in the game midway through the fourth period. He directed a drive that began at the Cougars 38 and moved to the Grambling State 4 before being halted on downs.
The march came up empty largely because the coaching staff insisted the ball stay on the ground – appropriately enough, since WSU was up 48-7 at the time.
“I was hoping (to pass once or twice), but it didn’t happen,” Rogers said. “And I understand. We were up (by a lot), so it wasn’t worth it. As long as I get in there and play a little bit (it was OK).”
Injury update: The Cougars came out of the game with just two injuries of note. Linebacker Scott Davis has a sprained right foot while defensive end Adam Braidwood suffered a hyperextended right elbow.
According to head coach Bill Doba, Braidwood could have gone back in the game if necessary and will likely be ready to go against Oregon State on Oct. 1. Davis’ injury may be more severe, and his status for the Beavers game may not be known for another few days.
Big fellas: Grambling starting offensive tackle Jonathan Banks is certainly one of the bigger college football players in the country. Banks, a senior, stands 6 feet 8 inches and weighs 360 pounds. His “little” brother, sophomore defensive end Jason Banks, is a mere 6-5 and 300 pounds.
Blast from the past: One Grambling player should be familiar to most WSU fans. Or at least his name should be.
Grambling State’s Ruben Mayes, a 6-2, 245-pound junior fullback, carried six times for 15 yards.
Rueben Mayes was a Cougars running back from 1982-85 and he shows up often in the school’s record book, including WSU-best marks for career rushing yards (3,519) and single-game rushing yards (357).
The two are not related.
Toot, toot: The Grambling State band performed at halftime and put on an energetic and highly entertaining show. The fans, knowing they were in for a treat, pretty much stayed in their seats at halftime and were gracious in their applause for the visiting band.
Then, as a bonus, the Grambling State and WSU bands took the field together after the game, doing some impromptu music and dance steps. Several thousand fans stuck around to enjoy the performance, which lasted for about an hour after the game.
By the numbers: With two TD grabs against the Tigers, WSU wide receiver Jason Hill moved into a tie for second place on the school’s all-time TD receptions list with 18. He trails Hugh Campbell (1960-62), who had 22. … Running back Jerome Harrison totaled 113 yards rushing on Saturday, giving him six straight games of 100 yards or more. … The Cougars had scoring drives of 40 seconds and seven seconds on Saturday, giving them eight drives of one minute or less (seven touchdowns, one field goal) in three games this season.
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