Cam Ward shows flashes of No.1 pick worthy plays and Jaylen Watson earns a new nickname after shutting down Charger receivers.
It was an up and down week across the board for Pro Cougs in the NFL, some balled out while others slid and had to face some adversity. Here is a breakdown of how all the Cougs fared in Week 15.
Abraham Lucas – It was a tough game for Lucas against the Colts. The Seattle O-line as a whole never got going and was not able to run the ball effectively. If not for Sam Darnold the blocking would have been the reason they lost. Lucas has a chance for redemption against the Rams In Week 11 he struggled against their talented edge rushers.
Washington State University lineman Abraham Lucas (72) warms up before a college football game at Martin Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Pullman, Wash.
Cam Ward – The No.1 pick has been disappointing in his rookie season to say the least. Turnovers and inconsistency has plagued not only Ward but also the Titans organization as a whole. However, he played a good game against the 49ers with 170 passing yards, two touchdowns and most importantly no interceptions. Ward made a highlight pass to defensive linemen Jeffrey Simmons for a touchdown.
Cam Ward walking with the captains to oversee the coin toss during Family Weekend, Nov. 4, in Pullman, Wash.
Chau Smith-Wade – It was a mediocre game for the Panthers, Smith-Wade did not have a bad game but he did not do much. Finishing with three tackles and giving up two out of four targets for 27 yards. Smith-Wade has been plateauing since the first Falcons game where he had a pick-six nearly two months ago. Playing the slot position is tough but he has proved to be a good option for the Panthers.
WSU defensive back Chau Smith-Wade lines up during practice, Aug. 17, at GESA Field.
Jaden Hicks and Jaylen Watson – Hicks only played in five defensive snaps but was effective. Finishing with a solo and assisted tackle, half a sack and a QB hit. Play-time has been ruining Hicks’ season thus far but he has been balling in his reps yet cannot seem to become the starter again. Watson Island may need to become a nickname for the Coug standout. Watson finished with four tackles, a sack, QB hit, and allowed two out of four targets to be caught for only 12 yards. He has been showing teams why they should pay him a lucrative contract after this season is up.
University of Southern California wide reciever Drake London (15) catches a pass while Washington State University defensive back Jaylen Watson (0) attempts to tackle him during the second half of a college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Pullman, WA.
Esa Pole and Gardner Minshew – Pole got his second start and looked just as good as he did last week. Oftentimes UDFA are practice squad players and borderline third stringers but Pole has no intentions of letting up.
“These young guys had an opportunity to play. We had a chance to see what they could do. I thought they did a respectable job there. That’s good as we grow as a team,” Reid said.
Minshew came into the game after Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL injury. With the Chiefs season on the line Minshew delivered a dot to Travis Kecle, calming down the entire stadium. It was short lived however as Minshew through a season ending interception. The Chiefs will not be in the playoffs for the first time since 2014.
“He’s got experience and the guys trust him,” Reid said.
Quarterback Gardner Minshew II runs the ball down field for a gain of yards in the game against University of Utah on Sept. 30 at Martin Stadium.
Daiyan Henley – Normally when Linebackers are matched up on the outside it is a difficult cover, Henley made quite the play with a leaping interception on a Mahomes throw. Henley finished with four tackles, one pick, pass deflection and gave up one catch for seven yards.
WSU linebacker Daiyan Henley celebrates after making a play during an NCAA football game against Colorado State, Sep. 17.
It was an eventful week for Pro Cougs in the NFL but tons of room for improvement across the board. Jalen Thompson did not play due to injury and Kyle Williams did not get a pass thrown to him and was non-existent in the game. Ward will see another Coug QB, Gardner Minshew, next week in a clash of the Palouse products with six WSU players between the Titans and Chiefs.
