Washington State Cougars vs ASU Sun Devils: NCAA 14 Simulation

Using NCAA 14, we simulated this weekend’s Washington State Cougars game vs the Arizona State Sun Devils. What were the results?

It’s been many years since kids and adults alike were playing game after game of the NCAA Football video game. With the new game set to return sometime next summer, we decided to simulate this week’s Washington State Cougars vs ASU Sun Devils game.

Now, this is not an official prediction for this weekend’s game. Some players are missing, it’s a random simulation and the game came out nearly 8 years ago. This is meant to be a fun exercise to get you Cougar fans out there excited for the game.

Without further ado, lets see how our Washington State Cougars were able to fair this week on the virtual football field.

First Quarter

The Cougs win the toss and elect to defer to the second half. It’s a cold and slightly windy day here in Martin Stadium, but no signs of rain or snow which is preferable for both teams. Arizona State comes out on offense and promptly goes three and out. Daiyan Henley and the Washington State Cougars defense hounded the Sun Devil offense and force them to punt.

With the wind whipping, it is clear from the first few drives that throwing with accuracy is going to be hard. Cam Ward starts the WSU day with three consecutive incompletions and the Cougars have to give the ball right back to ASU.

Arizona State gains a little momentum, running the ball with their star running back Xazavian Valladay to get into Cougar territory. On a third and long, however, Trenton Bourguet sails a pass above the head of his receiver and into the waiting arms of Chau Smith-Wade and the Cougs take over control late in the first period.

Fighting through the wind, the WSU offense gains some momentum of their own as they are able to get into range for Dean Janikowski as he nails a 45 yard field goal as time expires in the first to give the Cougars a 3-0 lead.

Second Quarter

The Sun Devils are forced into yet another three and out by the stout Washington State Cougars defense and so Cam Ward is back to command the offense early in second quarter.

After finding his rhythm, and the Sun Devils stacking the box to prevent running the ball, Ward connects on two deep passes over the middle to Lincoln Victor to get WSU into the red zone. On 2nd and 7 from the 22 yard line, Ward zips a beauty of a pass between two defenders to find Donovan Ollie and the end zone. 10-0 Washington State.

Arizona State just cannot seem to find any completions. At this point they might as well run every play. After gaining two hard earned first downs, ASU is forced to punt yet again.

With the Cougars backed up on their own end, Cam Ward takes too much time to find a receiver and is blindsided from the weakside. He fumbles, ASU picks the ball up and scampers into the end zone with little time before halftime. The Sun Devils cut the lead to 10-7.

Halftime

Third Quarter

An ugly first half comes to an end and it’s time to come out for the second half of this surprisingly defensive battle.

Washington State starts with the ball and proceeds to march 75 yards in 9 plays, scoring from 10 yards out on a dump down pass from Ward to Nakia Watson. It’s 17-7 Washington State after the first drive of the 3rd quarter.

After doing virtually nothing in the first half, ASU quarterback Trenton Bourguet has his best drive of the day. Hitting 3 key 3rd down throws to get ASU into the red zone for the first time today. Bourguet caps off his masterful drive with a pretty 15 yard touch pass to his receiver Jalin Conyers and the Sun Devils wont go away. Its now 17-14 late in the 3rd quarter.

After trading 3 and outs to end the period, it’s time to move the final frame and see how this game ends.

Fourth Quarter

The Washington State Cougars start with the ball to start the 4th and move deep into Sun Devil territory with two deep passes to Robert Ferrell. Facing a key 4th and 3 from the ASU 35 yard line, the Cougs decide to go for it and get stuffed on a running play that gains no yards and they are forced to turn the ball over to Arizona State.

A couple nice passes sets up the Sun Devils at the Cougar 44 yard line with 7 minutes remaining. the Sun Devil bell cow Valladay then takes a toss, breaks two tackles on the near sideline and bolts towards the end zone. The touchdown silences the WSU crowd and ASU takes a late 21-17 lead.

With bowl eligibility on the line, Cam Ward comes out dealing. He completes pass after pass. First two to Robert Ferrell for 8 and 18 yards respectively before finding Stribling and Victor on a pair of long passes over the middle and before you know it the Cougars are in the red zone with under 2 minutes left to play.

On third and 12 from the ASU 15 yard line, Cam Ward beelines a pass to the far sideline that is snagged by Lincoln Victor but he cant cross the goaline and it’s first and goal at the one yard line with 15 seconds left.

Cougs have one timeout left. Cam Ward in the shotgun, back to throw and he gets clobbered for a 3 yard sack. Ward is shaken, and injured on the play and is forced to leave the game with just 7 seconds remaining and only 3 yards to victory.

John Mateer is forced to come in and try to save the day. He takes the ball, fakes a quick handoff to Watson and throws a fade towards the left corner of the end zone. It’s the perfect pass, as it finds the waiting arms of Stribling and the Cougars get the miracle they needed. Zeros on the clock. The Cougars win a stunner, 24-21 over ASU.

FINAL SCORE: Washington State 24 Arizona State 21

Keep in mind that this exercise is not real. Cam Ward is not actually injured and the Cougars are still on tap to play ASU in real life tomorrow. Let us know how you like these simulations and we may do more down the road. GO COUGS!