This was supposed to be the cake walk into a revenge game against Rutgers. Serve up some delicious whip cream on a white and green cupcake and lick our fingers on the flight to Snooky-land. Whelp..
We put up 59 against this FCS bottom-feeder last year after having minor troubles in the first half. The same slow start held us back this year to the tune of a 10-0 halftime lead. But goodness, how glorious that lead was.
17 unanswered points from the Vikings of Portland State and an uninspiring performance from Alex Grinch’s new defense led to arguably the worst loss in WSU history. Wait a minute… what…
Sep 5, 2015; Pullman, WA, USA; Portland State Vikings linebacker Kawika Stant (50) prays after a game against the Washington State Cougars at Martin Stadium. The Vikings won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
That’s right. In 2013 they entered the fourth quarter tied at 24 with Oregon State and surrendered 35 unanswered (!). In 2012 with a 17 point lead and 8 minutes to go the Buffs of Colorado marched back to win in Martin. There was the 2006 Apple Cup debacle (following a 6-3 record and national ranking) that lead to a 6-6 WSU team snubbed in the bowl season. And do not forget the dumpster fire that was the final 3 minutes in the 2013 New Mexico Bowl.
Mind you, my prediction was quite lofty but a win would have sufficed. In retrospect, an overtime win by a field goal would have felt so sweet.
This wasn’t the Apple Cup. This wasn’t a game ‘we could steal if the ball bounces are way.’ There wasn’t even a spread. When a cougar fan looked at the schedule they glanced at PSU, penciled in a W, and moved on.
This was a punch to the gut. Now what? Fire everyone? Open tryouts? Who knows. This one hurts and it will hurt for a long while.
Go Cougs. Forever.