Washington State falls against Utah in Pac-12 matchup

PULLMAN – Washington State’s injuries rendered them unable to take advantage of Utah’s Oct. 27 in a Pac-12 conference game.

What was supposed to be a matchup between two of the top quarterbacks in the Pac-12 in Washington State’s Cam Ward and Utah’s Cam Rising got thrown a wrench when Rising was unexpectedly rules out for the game only minutes before kickoff return with an unspecified injury, leaving backup Bryson Barnes to take the reins under center for the Utes.

Utah was able to overcome the injury to its star quarterback, defeating Washington State 21-17 in a competitive conference game.

Running backs also weren’t immune to the injury bug. Utes running back Micah Bernard was also out after dealing with an injury in previous weeks and Cougars’ back Jaylen Jenkins was knocked out during the game and was in street clothes the entire second half.

Washington State (4-4, 1-4) also saw several key players absent from the defense. Defensive lineman Brennan Jackson was ejected from the game in the first quarter after a targeting call, and defensive back Jordan Lee was knocked out of the game in the second quarter following an attempt at a pass deflection that was called for a pass interference.

The loss against Utah was the fourth loss in six games for the Cougs, all coming against Pac-12 opposition.

“Offensively we’re just not doing anything well to lean our hat on right now,” head coach Jake Dickert said. “It’s not being able to run the ball; obviously, Jaylen (Jenkins) was missing there in the second half, negative plays, not being able to take it down the field, turnover once on a fourth down. It’s just a lot of things that we need to look in the mirror and figure out what we can do well. And we got to lean on that.”

Injuries to the Cougars prevented them from taking an early lead – getting on the board first and taking a 7-0 lead with 13:24 left in the second quarter after a 29-yard connection between Ward and WSU wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling.

Utah responded with a six-yard touchdown run by running back Ja’Quinden Jackson to tie the game up with 9:23 left in the second quarter and took the lead before halftime with a one-yard run by running back Jaylon Glover with :20 left in the first half.

Neither team was able to get points on the board for most of the third quarter, until the Utes went up two possessions on the Cougars with a five-yard touchdown from Barnes to tight end Dalton Kincaid.

Ward got Washington State back within seven with a seven-yard quarterback draw for a touchdown with 14:17 to go in the game and kicker Dean Janikowski got the Cougars within four later with a 42-yard yard field goal with 4:48 to go in the game.

Washington State attempted an onside kickoff that was recovered by Utah near midfield. The Utes kept the ball on the ground and forced the Cougars to burn all three timeouts. Utah elected to pass on fourth down near the Washington State redzone – which was intercepted but overturned with a defensive holding penalty on the Cougars.

Utah knelt the ball to burn the remaining 55 seconds of the game and the Utes came out with the win.

Despite the loss – there were positives for Washington State in this game, especially as they are trying to navigate the roster with all the injuries.

Positive takeaways include the emergence of new contributors to the offensive side of the ball in the wake of the injuries to Cougar players.

Walk-on running back and Tumwater high school alumni Dylan Paine suited up for the first time for Washington State and was used in the passing game and the running game, having three catches for 29 yards, two rushes for 10 yards and making several key blocks for Ward in pass protection.

Tsion Nunnally also made his presence felt – making his fifth and sixth catches of the season against Utah for 41 yards – including a 39-yard reception to set up the Ward touchdown run.

Another positive was the performance of Ward.

The decision made earlier in the week to move Stribling from outside receiver to the slot can also be considered a relative success – posting a game statline of four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

Ward had one of his most efficient games as a Cougar – going 27-for-31 passing for 222 yards and a touchdown to go with his 28 yards rushing and a touchdown.

“I’ve felt comfortable in the pocket since the first game (against) Idaho,” Ward said. “I know I have the ability to extend plays. Even tonight; it’s a sack on the (offensive) line but it’s really a sack on me – I forced that sack right there on one of the first drives. I know what I need to work on and just need to get better every day.”