PULLMAN — Washington State head coach Jake Dickert on Monday was asked about Armani Marsh and Sam Lockett, a pair of former Gonzaga Prep standouts in the Cougs’ defensive backfield. The veteran nickel Marsh had an interception in the Cougars’ 31-20 win over Arizona last Saturday and Lockett had a career day with two picks and a tackle for loss. Both will definitely be challenged Saturday in the Apple Cup by the pass-happy Huskies.
“Sammy’s fun because he’s done nothing but get better,” Dickert said. “And I don’t know if I’ve heard Sam say more than a couple words. He just smiles and works hard. Armani’s that way too. They’re very much example guys. But they’ve been the staple of that interior corps of our defense, one that was a question mark. Who would replace George (Hicks) and Ice (Daniel Isom) and those guys. I just think they’re guys that love this place and I think they really value being here.”
The 5-10, 188-pound Marsh is heading into his final two games as a Cougar: the Apple Cup on Saturday at 7:30 in Pullman and whatever bowl game WSU lands in. Forever remembered for his pick six in the 2021 Apple Cup, Marsh this season has 60 tackles, including three for loss and two sacks, and six pass breakups.
At 6-1, 205 pounds, Lockett still has one more year in the crimson and gray. Bouncing from Utah State to City College of San Francisco and finally to WSU, Lockett has 46 tackles, three interceptions and three pass breakups this year.
Dickert is 1-0 in the Apple Cup after leading the Cougars to a 40-13 domination over Washington in Seattle last year. While both teams and coaching staff are far different from a year ago, Dickert still takes lessons he learned from last year.
“I would say we learned how much it meant to everybody,” Dickert said. “To snap the streak, to win through adversity. Unique circumstances for both teams last year. For our guys to stay together and play that hard. I thought they played ‘free’ and that’s a big thing in a rivalry game and a perceived big moment. Guys have to cut it loose and be themselves and have fun and enjoy it.”
DICKERT WAS ASKED about the injury status of wide receiver Renard Bell, strong safety Jordan Lee and offensive lineman Ma’ake Fifita, but did not have an update. He also said tight end Billy Riviere missed Saturday’s win over Arizona with an illness but that he is expected back for the Apple Cup.
WASHINGTON STATE edge defender Lawrence Falatea was the highest-graded Cougar on PFF on Saturday with a 79 grade powered by a strip sack and a QB pressure. Dickert on Monday talked about the 6-3, 230-pound second-year from Sandy, Utah and noted he differs from EDGEs Ron Stone Jr, Brennan Jackson, Quinn Roff and Andrew Edson.
“Lawrence has done a really good job in his growth,” Dickert said. “He had the strip sack that we almost recovered, that was a little bit of a scramble scrum that would have been nice to get. But I think he’s given us that juice off the edge. Him and Raam (Stevenson) are different style players from RJ, BJ, Eddie and Quinn. We need his continued growth and that’s one of the biggest emphasis’ of this game. We have to rush with four guys.”
Related: Lawrence Falatea tops PFF grades from WSU’s win over Arizona
WSU-UW GAME DETAILS:
- WHERE: Martin Stadium
- KICKOFF: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Pacific
- TV: ESPN (Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman, Dawn Davenport)
- RADIO: Washington State IMG Radio Network
- WEATHER: High of 40, low of 32, snow after midnight
- RECORDS: WSU is 7-4/4-4, UW is 9-2/6-2
- THE SERIES: UW leads 73-33-6
- LAST TIME: WSU won 40-13 in Seattle in 2021
- ESPN matchup predictor: 52.6 percent chance UW wins
- RANKINGS: UW is ranked No. 12, WSU has a few votes in the Coaches Poll
- THE LINE: UW is favored by 2
