This always screamed trap game, didn’t it? Friday night, on the Palouse against Washington State. Yeah, that’s basically the definition of trap game right there. And USC did indeed get snared, losing to Washington State 30-27. When it was over, Mike Leach said he expected his team to win. He wasn’t surprised or ecstatic. He was one of the only ones in Eastern Washington that could say that.
Washington State beats USC in a Pac12AfterDark classic
Yeah it was late, but was it ever worth it.
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Washington State had previously lost 15 straight games vs. ranked opponents, the longest streak in Power 5. The Cougars had a great year last year, but this is certainly the biggest win of the Leach era in Pullman. This was a huge win for the team this season and the program in general to topple a squad like USC.
The Trojans had three starting offensive linemen go down in this game, and the Cougars had success in the pass rush particularly. Nothing drives that point home more than what became USC’s final play, an unimpeded rush that got to Sam Darnold and forced a fumble. The Cougars would kneel the game out to seal the win.
This was after Darnold pulled off a massive 4th & 13 with about six minutes left. USC would score three plays later to tie things up at 27. Darnold didn’t play particularly well, and it was hard to with Wazzu’s front seven bearing down on him all night, but he stepped up to score.
Wazzu would score on its ensuing drive to take a 30-27 lead. And then nail what eventually became the game winner.
And to the victor go the spoils.
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