WSU Football 5 Stages of Grief in New Mexico Bowl Pt. 5: Dealing with Team and Fan Mentality While Moving Forward

Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Washington State Cougars running back Theron West (24) runs the ball in the second half against the Colorado State Rams during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cougars 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Nobody should have to burn for this, point blank. Everybody makes mistakes in football. Some are insanely more costly than others and you would hope it never happens in a bowl game, but everybody does it.

It was one game and it was a good game, save for … well you know.

Officially, it’s time to talk about the positives that came out of this game. The big performance by otherwise forgotten Theron West, I wondered way back in Spring ball if he might get a chance to shine because he was really looking quick and intrigued me. The last hurrah from Deone Bucannon and this senior class, for the most part this was a worthy performance for the talent level of these 18 kids. River Cracraft coming into his own was a sight to behold. We’ll talk about all that and more as we move forward.

For now, it’s just time to focus on talk of positives in general. Our healing must begin now. We’re only in year two of the reign of Mike Leach (like it or not) and he WILL be the man who leads this team back to the top. When we get there, things such as the “New Mexico Bowl Meltdown” will be a distant, most forgiven memory. The process is long, the journeys are trying, but the final product will be amazingly rewarding.

Merry Christmas Cougs, stay out of trouble and enjoy your wonderful families for the remainder of this holiday season and beyond! We’ll be back at it tomorrow, as we look toward recruiting and officially wade into the basketball pond for the next three months. We may have some interesting or unfortunate conversations on such topics, but we’ll be here for you through it all.

GO COUGS!