Heading into rivalry weekend, the Washington Huskies have their sights set on 10 wins and keeping their PAC-12 Championship hopes alive. Standing in the way are the 7-4 Washington State Cougars, who have won their last three games by a combined 59 points. The Cougs will be looking to win back-to-back Apple Cups for the first time since 2008. Here’s a quick look at the WSU team that will look to keep the Apple Cup in Pullman.
WSU Offense
Offensive Coordinator Eric Morris, who was the head coach for Incarnate Word and quarterback Cameron Ward prior to coming to Pullman this year, have led the Cougs to scoring 27.3 points per game this year and 370.5 yards per game, good for ninth and eighth in the conference, respectively. The Cougs still throw it more than they run it, electing to pass about 58 percent of the time. Former Second-Team FCS All-American Ward runs the show for WSU.
As has been the trend for WSU offenses, Ward is at his best when he gets the ball out quickly, completing short passes and finding the soft spot in opposing defenses. On the season, his average depth of target is just 7.1 and his average yards per attempt is 6.9. Ward doesn’t run it much, having just 130 rushing yards for his career; however, he is capable of scrambling to create time and even picking up a few yards when needed. He does have four rushing touchdowns on the season, as well.
After struggling with interceptions early in the season, Ward has thrown just one interception in his last six games. Overall, he has a 63.2 PFF offensive grade, good for 10th among quarterbacks in the conference of champions.
Washington State ranks 112th nationally in sacks allowed, having given up 34 sacks in 11 games. According to PFF, Ward is under pressure nearly 20% of his drop backs. For comparison, Michael Penix, Jr. is pressured on just under four percent of his throws.
The Cougs will be missing their best offensive lineman, left tackle Jarrett Kingston, who suffered a season-ending injury a couple of weeks ago. Kingston was just one of two linemen who had started a game for WSU heading into this season. The other is Konner Gomness, who has been WSU’s second-best offensive lineman with a PFF grade of 64.0 on the season. WSU’s offensive line is long and athletic, with four of five starters standing at 6-foot-5 or taller, including 6-foot-11 Jack Wilson, who is starting at left tackle in Kingston’s absence. By PFF, the Cougs rank ninth in the conference in both run blocking and pass blocking.
Washington State has a deep receiving corps featuring six players with at least 20 catches on the season. Renard Bell and Robert Ferrel are two dangerous options out of the slot. Each average over six yards after the catch per reception, combining for 69 receptions, 761 yards, and five touchdowns on the season
De’Zhaun Stribling and Donovan Ollie are two 6-foot-3 receiving threats that are factors out wide. Stribling leads the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns with 44, 544, and five for each category. Ollie has 41 catches on the season and has the team-highest average depth on target of 10.1 yards. They are capable of stretching the field and making big plays in the passing game.
Tailback Nakia Watson is also a capable pass catcher, earning 22 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns on the season. For the year, he has 912 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns. Additionally, he’s averaging 5.8 yards per carry and has 663 rushing yards on the season. He’s a dynamic, physical runner at 223 pounds that has forced 31 missed tackles on the season and averages nearly 3.5 yards after contact per carry.
WSU Defense
According to PFF, the Cougs have the third-highest-graded defense in the conference. They allow just 19.8 points per game, leading the conference in that category while surrendering just 366 yards per game, good for fourth in the PAC-12.
Washington State’s defense is anchored by a veteran defensive line that features five players that had started six or more games heading into this season. The Cougs have three dynamic edge rushers, including former First-Team All-Conference selection Ron Stone, Jr and returning starter Brennan Jackson. Sophomore Quinn Roff has emerged as a dangerous pass rusher, as well, earning a 74.2 grade from PFF. As a trio, Roff, Jackson, and Stone have combined for 20.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
The two starting linebackers for the Cougs, Daiyan Henley and Francisco Mauigoa, are also active in pass rush. They’ve combined for 7.5 sacks on the season and PFF suggests that the two have combined for 91 snaps where they’ve been rushing the quarterback this season.
Henley and Mauigoa have been excellent against the run, as well. Mauigoa has a strong PFF run defense grade of 77.4, while Henley has a 70.0 grade and an outstanding 90.1 tackling score. The duo has 16.5 tackles for loss combined on the season. Travion Brown will also get some playing time at linebacker. He has a solid 68.1 PFF grade on the season and five tackles for loss to his name.
The strength of this WSU team is its secondary. Starting with their safeties, they have three players that get significant playing time in Sam Lockett, Jaden Hicks, and Jordan Lee. These three finish first, second, and fourth on the team in run defense scores from PFF. They are physical, willing tacklers and have combined for 5.5 tackles for loss on the season. Additionally, Sam Lockett leads the team with three interceptions.
At corner, Chau Smith-Wade has been elite this year. He has a PFF grade of 87 in coverage, which is good for third in the conference. The other corner, Derek Langford, is a returning starter and a lengthy, 6-foot-3 presence in the secondary. Teams have only completed 51 percent of their throws when targeting Langford this season. Lastly, third-year starter Armani Marsh plays nickel and has an impressive 77.8 coverage grade on the season. By PFF, the Cougs have the third-best coverage unit in the conference.
This is a well-rounded defense that can create pressure, make plays in the backfield, and also slow down passing attacks.
Matchups to watch
1. Washington’s pass rush against WSU’s offensive line – The Huskies are 30th nationally in sacks, while the Cougs rank 112th in sacks allowed. Washington is positioned well to pressure Cam Ward and slow down Washington State’s offense.
2. WSU’s secondary against Washington’s passing game – The Huskies lead the nation in passing. WSU has an outstanding 86.8 team coverage grade. The Huskies were able to throw for 298 against Oregon State, which is just slightly ahead of WSU by PFF’s coverage scores. They will look to exceed that 300-yard mark this year in Pullman.
Conclusion
After finishing 4-8 last year, the Huskies are one win away from a dream bounce back year that would include 10 wins and road victories against Oregon and WSU. Additionally, the Huskies will be eager to return the favor, after WSU dominated the Dawgs last year and planted its flag on Washington’s ‘W.’ All this will be easier said than done against a tough WSU team with a great defense on a cold Pullman Saturday night.
