Week 13 in the NFL is in the books and it was a tough week for the Palouse products. Abraham Lucas was manhandled by Dallas Turner and Frankie Luvu returned to his early season self. Kyle Williams scored another touchdown but still only got one target. Here is a breakdown of all Pro Cougs in the NFL.
Jaden Hicks and Jaylen Watson (Chiefs) – The Chiefs Cougar secondary came out swinging. Hicks blitzed Dak Prescott off the edge and hit him as he was throwing, forcing a bad throw that Watson picked off. However, Watson’s good play was short-lived as he gave up 104 yards and seven catches on nine targets. Watson finished with six tackles, one interception and one pass deflection. His counterpart Hicks ,however, played very well, as Hicks saw more play time with 55/65 defensive snaps. Hicks was targeted once and did not allow a completion, he totaled four total tackles and one QB hit along with two pass deflections.
Jaden Hicks eyes Stanford’s Ashton Daniels looking to make a play, Nov. 4, in Pullman, Wash.
Abraham Lucas (Seahawks) – The Vikings have a ferocious front seven, highlighted by second year player Dallas Turner. Lucas had the matchup with the young stud and lost… BADLY. Lucas, for the first time all season, looked out manned and like he had nothing to answer for what Turner or the Vikings were doing. When Lucas has a bad game the entire offensive line for the Seahawks will look terrible sincehis neighbor on the line ,Anthony Bradford, is terrible no matter the occasion.
Washington State University linemen Abraham Lucas (72) and Cade Beresford (75) prepare for the snap during a college football game at Martin Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Pullman, Wash.
Frankie Luvu (Commanders) – Luvu did not play that good against the Broncos but he did stuff the statsheet. Luvu had one solo tackle, three assisted tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, two QB hits, one pass deflection and one forced fumble. He was targeted twice and allowed one catch for six yards. Whilst it may sound like Luvu played a great game, he did not play up to his second team all-pro nature. It is a good sign that he is being more active in the defense.
Senior linebacker Frankie Luvu drags at Cal offense during the game on Saturday.
Chau Smith-Wade (Panthers) – In a great win against the Rams, Smith-Wade did not play great. He did his job but less than his normal production. Finishing with six total tackles and allowing three catches with 37 yards. Smith-Wade received a mediocre PFF grade of 57.2.
WSU defensive back Chau Smith-Wade tackles an Oregon player during an NCAA college football game, Sep. 24.
Jalen Thompson (Cardinals) – It was a semi-quiet game for Thompson, allowing one catch for 25 yards, two tackles and two pass deflections. Thompson is arguably the anchor of the Cardinals defense so his impact cannot be fully measured by box stats. The eye test is what defines his game.
Junior safety Jalen Thompson, No. 34, celebrates with his teammates after catching an interception during the 2018 Alamo Bowl game against Iowa State on Friday night in San Antonio.
Daiyan Henley (Chargers) – A quiet game for the Charger with just three tackles, one tackle for loss, half a sack and one QB hit. Henley was targeted once and gave up the catch for a modest seven yards. Henley has not looked the same as he did for the two weeks post halloween. He almost looks confused or disengaged on the field.
WSU linebacker Daiyan Henley lunges for Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay during an NCAA football game, Nov. 12.
Kyle Williams (Patriots) – One catch for 33 yards and a touchdown, early in a game normally warrants more than one target. In the Patriot offense, however, it does not. Every time Williams has scored a touchdown the singular pass has been his only catch and target. The Pats have an explosive weapon being misutilized and they do not even realize it. Despite the touchdown Willaims was only in one nine passing plays in the entire game, which was a blowout win for the Pats.
Kyle Williams runs to open space to avoid a tackle from an Oregon State defensive back, Sept. 23, in Pullman, Wash.
Cam Ward (Titans) – The No.1 pick came back down to Earth after his strangely good performance against the Seahawks. Ward had 141 passing yards on 38 attempts, seven rushing yards and no touchdowns. Ward played lazy and scared the entire game, his completions were 3.7 yards on average. Ward and interim head coach Mike McCoy have not been seeing eye to eye.
“We need to go for it, what do we have to lose?” Ward said. “I talk about it all the time and he knows my mindset, I want to go for it with our record and make a case for it.”
WSU offensive lineman Konner Gomness snaps the ball to quarterback Cameron Ward during an NCAA football game against Arizona State, Nov. 12.
Overall, it was a bad week on average but a few hidden bright spots like Luvu being more active and trying to regain his 2024 play. Henley, Thompson and Smith-Wade are poised for bounce back weeks as it cannot get much worse/basic from this week’s performances. The bright spot was Willaims touchdown and Hicks and Watson combining for a Coug tandem turnover.
