For a group that had the potential to tie for the best regular season record in school history as well as match the 11 win total of the 2018 Mike Leach led Cougars, this Washington State team has come off the rails since the surprising three point loss to New Mexico in Week-10. I get the loss to Oregon State in Week-11 but there’s absolutely no excuse in the world to lose to a team as bad as Wyoming—a team that came in with just two wins and was sitting in last place in the Mountain West Conference—what the hell? After averaging 50+ points a game at home this season the Cougars could barely scrape together 14 points in this one against a Wyoming team that ranks about 10 spots above last out 134 FBS teams.
After the Cowboys went three-and-out their first two possessions the Cougars actually scored first and led 7-0 on a 37 yard TD pass from Sophomore QB John Mateer to Senior WR Kyle Williams with six minutes left in the first quarter. Wyoming finally got on the board their third possession with a John Holland 40 yard field goal at the end of a 10 play 52 yard drive to make it 7-3. Washington State would extend the lead to 14-3 on a 10 play 74 yard drive and John Mateer two yard TD run. But their offense the rest of the game would consist of five punts, a turnover on downs, an interception and a fumble, right after an interception at mid-field. In the meantime Wyoming wasn’t much better fumbling twice and throwing a pick. But with the Cougars unable to score in the second half the Cowboys third quarter field goal and fourth quarter touchdown drive—aided by Washington State face-mask and chop block penalties—was all they needed in this embarrassing 15-14 loss at home in Pullman.
For Wyoming, Junior QB Evan Svoboda was 21-of-34 for 206 yards, 1 pick and 1 TD to Junior TE John Michael Gyllenborg who led the way along with Freshman WR Chris Durr Jr.—collectively catching 9 passes for 118 of the 206 total yards. On the ground Senior RB Harrison Waylee and Svoboda rushed 29 times for 102 of the teams 136 yard total. For the Cougars, Sophomore QB John Mateer connected on 70+% of his passes for 182 yards, 1 TD, and 1 interception while also leading the team on the ground with 56 yards and their only rushing touchdown. Mateer and Freshman RB Wayshawn Parker combined for 101 of the teams 103 yards on 32 carries. Wyoming had a nine minute edge in time-of-possession, primarily because the Cougars were only converting their third down opportunities at a 10% rate and were never able to convert on 4th down. They’d have possession for about two minutes before they ended up punting it back.
What to do? Well, that got started Monday morning when head coach Jake Dickert fired his Defensive Coordinator Jeff Schmeddling. According to Greg Woods of the Spokesman-Review here’s the statistics that he thinks were used to justify the dismissal. “Playing eight Mountain West schools this regular season, WSU finished No. 90 nationally in scoring defense, allowing an average of 28 points per game. The Cougars permitted 255 passing yards per game, No. 116 in the country, and they yielded 174 rushing yards per game, No. 96. The Cougs also missed 157 tackles for the season, seventh-most nationally.” I think they have problems on the other side of the ball as well but it’s a start. With an overall record of 8-4 Washington State will find out on December 8th when the bowl selections are revealed when, where and who they’ll be playing.