The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

[Hellisan]

Pullman, WA – Junior QB Connor Halliday threw for 450 yards and four touchdowns as the Mike Leach-led Washington State Cougars threw it 51 tmies in a 34-23 victory over the Vandals. Idaho continued to do well on third down, and for the second week in a row kept the score close for most of the game despite looking pathetic at times on defense.

Idaho had the ball first – they’ve lost every coin toss this season – and Chad Chalich had one of his first really bad moments of the season when he just threw a ball up for grabs and it was intercepted in Vandal territory. The Cougars quickly turned it into points with a three play, 32-yard drive as Teondray Caldwell caught the first of his school-record 14 passes for a 13-yard touchdown.

“I have to give Mike and his staff a lot of credit with how they worked Caldwell into the game plan. We just never were able to figure out how to cover the wide guys and stop Caldwell from getting the ball. Whether it was screens, wheel routes, or just tossing him the ball on a hitch to move the chains, he was awesome today and it was a great game plan,” said Coach Clark.

Of course, short passes weren’t the only thing going for Halladay as he racked up nearly 300 yards in the first half alone. Following an Idaho Field Goal, a busted coverage led to a 72-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Marks, who caught the ball right in stride after a safety bit on an underneath route.

Chalich went from bad to worse, directing the team all the way down the field before throwing an interception in the end zone. Following a WSU field goal that made it 17-3, the teams combined for four consecutive punts as Washington State was continually unsuccessful on third down. They ended up going 3-10 on the day. Idaho had some momentary glory late in the second quarter as Chalich went over the top to hit Roman Runner on a perfectly thrown pass, and Runner ran away from the defense for 63 yards and six points. WSU completed another couple of big plays but this time were forced to kick a field goal and led

Lovett may miss a week with concussion

Wide receiver Najee Lovett took a serious hit courtesy two Cougars during a third quarter catch and missed the rest of the game with a concussion. He is unlikely to play next week but will be a game time decision, said Coach Clark.

[Hellisan]

Coverage of Week 4

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[Matt10]

Man, what a game that was - 14 catches, geez. Glad I saw a drop on there - but that was definitely unexpected.

This Temple game is the one you must win - pretty even throughout except for your linebackers should help you out - I hope. Good luck, and just an incredible job with this - love reading it everytime.

[Hellisan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt10

Geeez - you got torched, Helli! Daniels and Lynch = siiiiiick combo. What's the top recruiting priority for you? Digging the set up still, man. Keep it up!

Thanks man... For me the O-line is a permapriority, but ultimately the real priority is just getting some defensive players that can react to the play and have the speed to get there and shut it down. I don't really care what position. Teams are throwing these short passes and we just can't shut them down, they turn it up field and start breaking tackles or whatever.... ugh.

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt10

Man, what a game that was - 14 catches, geez. Glad I saw a drop on there - but that was definitely unexpected. This Temple game is the one you must win - pretty even throughout except for your linebackers should help you out - I hope. Good luck, and just an incredible job with this - love reading it everytime.

Thanks man As you know when it comes to these you have to be doing it for yourself in the end (to be able to look back on as a record and enjoy) but if somebody is enjoying it that's great. I agree about the Temple game and it turned out to be a doozy... ? ?

[Hellisan]

Moscow, ID – After being physically dominated for two and a half quarters, the Idaho Vandals woke up and staged a dramatic comeback that ended with a game-winning 34-yard field goal by Austin Rehkow as time expired.

Temple led 24-10 at halftime thanks to the play of quarterback P.J. Walker, who befuddled the Vandal defense for most of the game. Walker led the Owls on a successful drive to start the game off (first coin toss won by the Vandals all season) including three nice runs. The drive resulted in a 5-yard TD run. Idaho were able to answer thanks to some luck. On a three and out punt, the punt was muffed and recovered by Jayshawn Jordan. That got the Vandal offense going as Chad Chalich found Dezmon Epps from 27 yards out to tie the game.

Temple were just getting warmed up. Walker threw touchdown passes of 16 yards and 36 yards on back to back drives in the late first and early second quarters. The second TD pass was thrown over the head of slow SS Trey Williams who was put in a rare deep cover situation, but only after they brought out the punt team as the first quarter wound down. The first quarter whistle blew as they prepared to punt, and Temple decided to go for it on 4th down instead, resulting in the TD pass.

The second half started out no better. Chalich was missing throws or putting his receivers in tough positions all game long to this point. Receivers were being pressed and were dropping the passes that were on the mark. The team looked off, and with Walker creating anything Temple needed with his arm or legs, things didn’t look good. Idaho punted to start the second half.

On third down of their first drive of the second half, Walker attempted to scramble. Idaho linebacker Broc Westlake rodeo tackled him from the side, slamming his head to the turf. Walker missed the rest of the game with a concussion. Backup Connor Reilly would complete 5 of his 13 passes in the fateful second half, for a combined 10 yards. The Owls’ aggressive schemes finally began to hurt them as Chalich found Michael LaGrone for a quick dump off, and after a missed tackle the tight end lumbered 73 yards for a touchdown what will undoubtedly be the shining moment of his season.

Idaho made the plays that needed to be made after that, overcoming a run on 3rd and 11 for a first down to stop a drive and scoring a touchdown on a shaky pass from Chalich in which wide receiver Deon Watson made a great grab to tie the game. After a Temple touchdown drive, the Vandals shemed Epps open over the middle for his second TD of the game as he was wide open with Watson occupying the deep safety to tie the game once again.

Three punts ensued, as the defenses made some good tackles and were in position. Westlake made another huge tackle on Temple’s final drive to stop the Owls on 3rd down. That set up the final drive as Idaho had plenty of time on the clock and Chalich made the necessary plays to get Rehkow into position.

Lovett should be back next week

Wide receiver Najee Lovett missed the game with a concussion suffered during the prior week. He is considered probable to make his next start.

Forde rehabbing hamstring

Defensive end Maxx Forde, considered the best player on the defense, has begun rehab on his ailing hamstring after a couple weeks of rest. The team’s medical staff thinks he will be healthy following the Arkansas State game (week 7) but with a week 8 bye, the most realistic return date is Ole Miss in week 9.

[kswgrad2012]

Nice comeback victory. We're at 2-3 now, right?

Looking back at the Wazzu game, the Cougs ran it only 3 times on you? Wow...

[Hellisan]

Week 5 Coverage