Marquess Wilson’s Career High Against Ducks Helps Set All-Time WSU Receiving Record

Sept. 29, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver Marquess Wilson (86) attempts to make a catch against Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-US PRESSWIRE

Marquess Wilson has now passed Brandon Gibson for the most all time receiving yards in a Crimson and Gray uniform this weekend, catching 12 passes (most of them in the second half and also a career high in catches) for 182 yards and a late touchdown. It was the type of performance that you want when setting a record, except of course that it came against an Oregon team that was not about to be upset by Washington State, so it came in a loss. Still, a record like this with all the great Qbs and Receivers over the past couple decades is an amazing feat, especially in the middle of your Junior season. So congratulations is in order for the young man from Tulare, CA.

The kid is an incredible talent. He has been blamed for not securing some catches and that may be a fair assessment. But let’s be real. Wilson secures the most difficult catches of anyone in college football, balls that should never be caught, but he makes them look really easy. Also, just so it’s not lost on anybody, 4 of his touchdowns and probably close to 150 yards worth of catches overall have been brought back via penalty this season. To address his drops, I think the problem is that he gets impatient when his qbs don’t throw to him for a quarter and a half and then when they do, he wants to make a play. Thus he looks up to make a guy miss and drops it.

He dropped two difficult balls that were slightly behind him and high against the Ducks. They looked plenty catch-able and probably were, but they were difficult plays because the corner got there early and made contact that accelerated his momentum just slightly. Mike Leach blames it on concentration, and that’s part of it, but I think it’s more rhythm . The key is to get him involved early with a screen or out or something. Even with those aforementioned drops, 12 catches in that game is a phenomenal effort and the fingertip catch (shown top) in double coverage was a wow moment. I hope that Coach,  Halliday (and Tuel) saw Saturday that if they keep throwing his way, he’ll make the catch consistently.