Cougars look to win for bowl eligibility

WSU football takes on Oregon State Satuday in Pullman

Graduate+student+wide+receiver+Brandon+Arconado+attempts+to+run+up+the+field+against+Stanford+on+Nov.+16+at+Martin+Stadium.

HSING-HAN CHEN | DAILY EVERGREEN FILE

Graduate student wide receiver Brandon Arconado attempts to run up the field against Stanford on Nov. 16 at Martin Stadium.

SAM GRANT, Evergreen reporter

The Cougars (5-5, 2-5 Pac-12) are coming off a strong 49-22 win against Stanford on Dad’s Weekend.

The Beavers (5-5, 4-3 Pac-12) are also coming off a victory at home, this time to Arizona State 35-34.

With both teams coming into the game with five wins, the victor will become bowl-eligible before rivalry week.

Following the victory against Stanford, redshirt senior quarterback Anthony Gordon was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

With 520 yards and five touchdowns, Gordon continues to lead the way in the nation for most in both categories. Head coach Mike Leach praised his quarterback following the game.

“[He made] play after play in that game that other quarterbacks in the country can’t do,” Leach said. “Right now, he’s probably playing quarterback better than anybody in the country.”

WSU’s offense was working at a high capacity the whole game, as they did not punt during any of their offensive drives, and only turned the ball over one time. Gordon credited his offense.

“The receivers make it pretty easy,” Gordon said, “as you saw, I threw a little 2-yard pass to Easop [Winston Jr.] and he took it all the way for a touchdown, so my job’s pretty easy when we got guys making plays like that.”

Special teams helped propel the Cougars in their win as well, as redshirt sophomore Travel Harris returned a kick for 83 yards, followed by a Gordon touchdown pass. Leach said that Harris gave the team a spark.

The Cougar defense came into play against Stanford as well with two interceptions and two sacks. Redshirt junior linebacker Jahad Woods recorded one of each.

“Me and my teammates have worked hard all year and that was one of the outcomes,” Woods said. “It’s a good feeling but I’m just happy to get the win.”

With the entire team playing well, WSU will head into the weekend with momentum, as will OSU after the slim victory.

The game will kick off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Martin Stadium in Pullman. It will also be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks.