Saturday’s football game against Oregon State ended in a blowout defeat with a score of 52-24, which included the Cougars giving up 28 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

A feeling of heartbreak filled Martin Stadium that night, beginning with what seemed to be a fake punt. The play stripped WSU of all the momentum they had at the time.

“We feed off each other,” Head Coach Mike Leach said. “When one side struggles, the other side collapses. We just need to continue playing.”

Leach said the team has been creating its own adversity, and that can’t continue. He mentioned that last night’s practice was solid, and pushed late because recruits were in Pullman.

Sophomore linebacker Darryl Monroe attributed the team’s play against Oregon State to not settling down and recouping. Monroe’s takeaway from the game was they made small technique mistakes and they need to remember the importance of embracing what is going on in each situation on the field.

“Coming off this loss, I feel our team is more hungry and just humble. We always have a chip on our shoulder, but now that chip’s getting heavier,” he said.

Monroe said 90 percent of the game is mental, not just for WSU, but for any football team.

Part of handling the game mentally begins with the head of the offense, and for the Cougars that is redshirt junior quarterback Connor Halliday.

“We’re always gonna support him cause were gonna need him,” said Monroe.

During a stretch of the game, Halliday committed a string of turnovers and Leach said that was caused by trying to make too much happen. He said the defense gave up too many explosive plays. When asked about Halliday’s inconsistency, Leach said the quarterback needs more games under his belt and that the youth of the team is sometimes exposed.

The Cougars have now dropped two home games in a row giving up a combined 107 points. On the road however, the team has outscored its opponents 54-29. Both Monroe and senior cornerback Damante Horton agreed that on the road it’s the “booing” from opposing fans that keeps them fired up.

“One thing we embrace is the opportunity to play,” Monroe said. “Going on the road doesn’t scare us; it’s a challenge – everyone’s against you. To me, going on the road and hearing the “boo’s” puts a smile on my face.”

Senior center Elliott Bosch said the reason the Cougars are successful on the road may be due to the fact that they aren’t worried about anyone but themselves.

Leach commented that he thought the third quarter was the best quarter the team has played all season, but thought they lost due to their own errors.