Connor Halliday's Arm May Have Fallen Off In Loss To Cal

((HT: Pac-12 Network))

Okay...

The HQ has long known that Mike Leach has a penchant for passing that very few of us can comprehend...

Law degrees from Pepperdine will do that for you...

But Connor Halliday may become the college football equivalent of former Florida State pitcher Richie Lewis if he keeps up like this...

Lewis, for those of you who don't remember, was put on the mound in Omaha for the clinching game in the College World Series on less-than-normal rest (2 days, the HQ thinks), throwing an ungodly amount of pitches in a loss, and was not the same pitcher when he was drafted by Montreal.

Tired arm and all that...

Halliday went for 734 yards- AND STILL LOST...
Here's the highlights, which presumably, could last til mid-week.
Kevin Calabro and Yogi Roth discuss


Cal's Jared Goff completed 47 of 53 passes for 527 yards and five touchdowns, also without an interception. Combined, Halliday and Goff set a new single-game FBS record for total passing yards with 1,261. And the all-NCAA mark is 736 yards set by D3's Sam Durley of Eureka-Illinois.

So, This Is How You Start Bowl Season...

((HT: ESPN))

Making up a 22-point deficit in the final three minutes to win the New Mexico Bowl...

Jared Roberts made a 41-yard field goal as time expired and Colorado State beat Washington State 48-45 in the New Mexico Bowl.

But, it took a furious comeback that included a strip on defense and a two-point conversion that caught everyone by surprise...
And one that survived a review...
((HT: CSU Rams Athletics))


Garrett Grayson threw for 369 yards and Kapri Bibbs ran for 169 yards (overcame his turf toe) and 3TD's for Colorado State, who finish 8-6. Connor Halliday threw six touchdown passes (5 of them in the first half, by the way) and finished with 410 yards for Washington State, who finish 6-7.

And should be the early poster child for teams that shouldn't be going to a bowl in the first place...

The HQ would set a rule that any team that could finish the season below .500 with a bowl loss shouldn't go to a bowl...

Pac-12 Review: Wazzu Goes Pass Happier Than Normal, Stanford Stays Up, ASU Blows Out Washington

((HT: Pac-12 Network/FS1))

The Ess-E-Cee didn't have all the fun as conferences go on Saturday...

First, let's go to the records... and it didn't have anything to do with Oregon...

The HQ will give the Ducks credit for the pink touches to their amalgam of uniform combinations and permutations Saturday. But after a bit of a scare, they put the pedal down and beat Washington State as they should. The big story was Wazzu QB Connor Halliday, who set a D1 record for pass attempts with 89, breaking a record held previously by Drew Brees. Halliday also tied a record for completions with 58, tying the mark set by Andy Schmitt.

Admittedly, it's hard to pin down a 63-28 game to 1:40 with all that went down. But, here you go...


And, so you know, Washington State only had two yards rushing...

Oregon DC Nick Aliotti was less than happy about the efforts of the Pirate late in the game...
((HT: Campus Insiders))


Elsewhere, the HQ was keeping a keen eye on Boulder early Saturday afternoon as Charleston Southern was only down 22-10 in the first half. That didn't finish so well for the Bucs in the 43-10 loss...

Who knew Todd Graham had what his Sun Devils had in their system as they blew the living hell outta Washington (who won't be ranked anymore) after losing 53-24...

Ted Robinson and Glenn Parker confine their talk to 2:00...


Stanford knocked off UCLA in what a lot of folks didn't even consider an upset, and USC fans will have to try and figure out Coach O and what he'll say about the team's loss to Notre Dame in South Bend...

Washington St beats USC: Is Coach Kiffykins Toast?

Those of us on the East Coast undoubtedly did not stay awake to watch this game. Why would you?

Washington State pulled off what many feel may have been an upset, but maybe it wasn't. The Cougars took down apparently over-rated USC 10-7, late Saturday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

As usual, most of the generic Sportswriting masses picked USC to be a "Top 25" team. Under coach Lane Kiffin, it appears they are not. The USC fans who remained to see their team lose their first home opener since 1997, serenaded their head coach with "Fire Kiffin" chants.

From Instagram:



Ironically, Washington State, a supposed offensive power under the mad genius coach Mike Leach didn't score an offensive touchdown, they got a field goal and a 70-yard TD on an interception return.

Yes, the game was that ugly.

Highlights from Fox Sports:

ICYMI: Washington St. salvages pride beats Washington

It wasn't a lot, but for the Washington State Cougars a win over your arch rival is enough.

Granted, the 31-28 overtime win against arch rival Washington only helped Washington State finish the year at 3-9. And for a rivalry game, it probably didn't do much to help the now previously 25th ranked Huskies. Washington still will go to a bowl, but they finish the regular season 7-5.

The win came in the first overtime on an Andrew Furney 27-yd field goal. But the game story is more about how the Cougars scored 18-straight points to tie the game and 21 when you add the field goal.

It was a rough season for Washington State who dealt with players accusing coach Mike Leach of harassment and a string of 8 straight losses previous to the game on Friday.

Your highlights from the folks at KING-TV:

Marquess Wilson Accuses Leach Of Abuse... Haven't We Been Here Before...???

((HT: KHQ-TV Spokane))

Now, we may know why Washington State WR Marquess Wilson was suspended/dismissed/walked out on the Cougars program...

Head coach Mike Leach initially said that Wilson has suspended for a failure to complete a conditioning session after the loss to Utah...

Now, Wilson is saying he's just leaving, thanks...

Both sides released prepared statements on what happened...
But, first...
Here's the Head Pirate and the Wazzu QB on the matter when it first broke...
KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho |

Now, the statements...

First, Wilson:

"Dear Cougar Nation:

"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to forgo playing football for Washington State University. I realize the school is saying that I am suspended for violating team policies and may return next week, but this is a lie. This is an attempt by the athletic department to cover up what is really happening in that locker room.

"It is been a privilege to be a Cougar, to perform on your field and wear the Crimson and Gray. I would like to thank Washington State University for giving me the opportunity to do what I love most, to play football and receive a quality education for the past three years. I'm grateful to the athletic department for the coaching, care and encouragement I have received prior to this season.

"This was going to be our year. My teammates and I were aspiring to be the winning team you deserve. Unfortunately for all, the new coaching staff has destroyed that endeavor. I believe coaches have a chance to mold players, to shape men, to create greatness. However, the new regime of coaches has preferred to belittle, intimidate and humiliate us. This approach has obviously not been successful, and has put a dark shadow on this program.

"My teammates and I have endured this treatment all season long. It is not "tough love". It is abuse. This abuse cannot be allowed to continue. I feel it is my duty to stand up and shed light on this situation by sacrificing my drams, my education and my pride. I resign from this team. I am deeply sorry to those I am letting down. I am not a quitter. I was raised by my family, and many previous coaches to exhibit dedication and embrace sacrifice, but there comes a time when one has to draw a line in the sand.

"Lastly, I thank my fellow teammates, those who also have left the program this year, and those we are leaving behind. I hope our departure will bring awareness to the physical, emotional and verbal abuse being allowed in the locker room and on the field. I pray for healing and recovery for all those who have been hurt by this treatment

"Sincerely,

Marquess Wilson"

And, then, the response... from WSU Director of Athletics Bill Moos:

"It is unfortunate that Marquess has chosen not to go through the weekend and have the subsequent visit with me as we had discussed last Tuesday. I was hopeful to provide additional guidance if he was willing to meet the standards that have been set by Mike Leach and his staff in their effort to establish a competitive football program at Washington State. Unfortunately, during times of coaching transitions, departures are not uncommon.

"We have procedures in place that were developed to monitor student-athlete welfare in all of our sports programs. We will continue to follow those procedures and modify them if needed.

"I believe I join many Cougars in wishing Marquess well in his future endeavors. WSU athletics plans no future statement at this time."

The HQ thinks this is far from over...
Just ask the Adam James family...
Right...???

With A Back Up Quarterback Starting Washington State Overcomes, Defeats UNLV 35-27

You might think the odds would not be with Washington State coming to Las Vegas with a back-up quarterback starting.

Well that back-up quarterback, Connor Halliday threw for 26 of 45 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns as Washington State defeated UNLV 35-27.

With those kind of numbers what went on in Vegas for Wazzou doesn’t need to stay in Vegas.

Halliday knew he would start in the middle of the week and responded with a terrific game and the Cougars second win of the year. Jeff Tuel was the starter but Halliday stepped in Friday night and if Mike Leach was auditioning Halliday let’s just say he nailed it.

“I feel like I made a decent case,” Halliday said. “I need to play better in the fourth quarter.”

“For a guy who hadn’t played football for a long time, I thought he played good.” Washington State head coach Mike Leach said.  “I thought, really calm for a guy that hasn’t played a lot. I think his demeanor with his team was good.”

Here’s Connor Halliday after the game.

 


And Mike Leach.

Wazzou Loses To BYU In Mike Leach's Coaching Debut

Mike Leach’s debut as Washington State head coach did leave a milestone.  The Cougars didn’t score a touchdown in its season opener for the first time since 1971.

Washington State did put up some impressive offensive numbers totaling 229 yards passing.  Cougar quarterback Jeff Tuel completed 30 of 45 passes but two interceptions.

The run game, well that will get some attention this week in practice.  Wazzou -5 yards rushing.  Ouch.

The BYU defense was dominant.

“I don’t think coaching-wise we had them prepared to play, for whatever reason,” Washington State head coach Mike Leach said. 

BYU quarterback Riley Nelson torched the Wazzou defense.  Nelson completed 25 of 36 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns.

"Riley [Nelson] is competitive and so tough," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "He has great leadership and that suits him really well. He demands respect, and when it's hurry up, he gets everyone to the line and pushes the ball forward."

Here’s the highlights.  (Thanks BYU Productions)

 

 

 

Mike Leach Will "Swing His Sword" Against Alma Mater BYU

Mike Leach makes his Washington State coaching debut Thursday night.  Leach’s Cougars travel to Provo, Utah to face BYU, which happens to be Leach’s alma mater.

Here’s Leach talking about the upcoming game. (Thanks KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

Leach’s Washington State team will toss the football around the field.  Other than that Wazzou doesn’t have a whole lot.  There are concerns about the Cougar offensive line and the defense is just not up to par.

BYU is a veteran team and head coach Bronco Mendenhall likes how physical his team is. While BYU’s secondary will be tested by Wazzou’s receivers their trio of linebackers, Kyle Van Noy, Brandon Ogletree and Uona Kaveinga are pretty darn good.  Van Noy is the star of the group.

Bottom line Wazzou will do some good things but BYU will wear down the Washington State defense and should win this game rather easy. 

OSG predicted score: BYU 48, Wazzou 10

BREAKING: Mike Leach to Washington State

Mike Leach

((ht: cbssports.com/bruce feldman))

Well, that was quick. The Carousel spins quickly this December.

According to CBSSports.com reporter Bruce Feldman, Mike Leach has agreed to be the coach at Washington State just one day after the Cougars fired Paul Wulff. Washington State AD Bill Moos made no bones about wanting to hire Leach and apparently has succeeded.

Leach, who was let go by Texas Tech 2 seasons ago after the scandal surrounding his alleged placing of injured WR Adam James in a woodshed, takes over a program that has won 9 games in the past 4-years.

But he is considered somewhat of an offensive coaching genius and his style should fit in nicely in the offense heavy Pac-12.

Leach is 84-43 after 9 years coaching at Texas Tech.

Coaching Carousel begins: Multiple coaches fired

Ron Zook

It seems to start earlier and earlier each year. But in this case, it more or less begins at the end of the last regular season game.

Already, less than 2 days after that, we've got multiple coaching changes to report. And no, Urban Meyer is a separate story.

We start in Champaign, Illinois where to the surprise of very few people, the Zooker, Ron Zook was let go. He was let go in the midst of his team starting 6-0 and finishing the season 0-6.

Said Athletic Director Mike Thomas, "I assessed the entire program and felt that it was time for a change in leadership."


Thomas will discuss where the program is headed at 3:15, Zook, oddly enough will speak an hour later at the football stadium.

Read the full story from news-gazette.com RIGHT HERE

In Kansas, the Turner Gill era has ended.

Turner Gill

Gill was hired two years ago and given a 5-year, $10 million contract. He didn't finish. Kansas will pay him $6 million to leave Lawrence so they can find a new coach.

Gill went 5-19 overall and 1-16 in the Big 12. And really, the Jayhawks haven't been competitive at any point during his tenure.

The next question of course, who will take over the moribund program.

The Kansas City Star gives us details and suggests a few names RIGHT HERE

Next please.

Larry Porter

To the surprise of nobody, Memphis has relieved Larry Porter of his job after 2 seasons and 3 career wins. The Tigers, who desperately want to move to a "BCS" conference are perceived as a great basketball school and "They play football too?".

Porter, a Memphis grad in his 1st head coaching job went 3-21 in his 2 seasons and the Tigers were a perennial visitor to our "Bottom of the Barrel".

Also, Memphis AD R.C Johnson is expected to retire as well.

Read about the departures from Commercialappeal.com RIGHT HERE

Dennis Erickson

And in Tempe, Arizona it appears Dennis Erickson's tenure at Arizona State has come to an end. The departure has been widely reported and is expected to be made official sometime Monday.

Erickson was 31-30 in his 5-years, including a 6-6 record this season. He's taken the Sun Devils to bowl games, but has struggled living up to the expectations out there in the desert.

AZCentral.com gives us the latest RIGHT HERE

In Birmingham, UAB coach Neil Callaway was relieved of his duties as the Blazers football coach.

Callaway walked into a program in disarray and essentially ignored in the state of Alabama and couldn't do much with it. He went 18-42 in 5 long seasons as one of the lowest paid coaches in Division 1 football. His best season was a 5-7 slate in 2008.

AL.com gives us a recap of Callaway's tenure RIGHT HERE

And finally (for now), Paul Wulff hasn't been fired...yet at Washington State. The Cougars are 9-40 in Wulff's 4 seasons in Pullman and there have been hints that Athletic Director Bill Moos is ready to pull the trigger and find a new coach.

Washington State finished 4-8 this season, which was an improvement as the team has steadily won one more game each year than the past.

The Seattle Times says this is a done deal. Read the story RIGHT HERE

And yes, Washington State has a serious hard-on for former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. Considering the jobs available, that may be a bit of a pipe-dream.

Expect more to come, we will try our best to keep you updated as the Carousel picks up speed before it runs out of steam sometime in mid to late January.

Much like the classic movie Logan's Run, we welcome you...to Carousel:

Mike Leach Keeps Talking: Torches ESPN & Craig James

One of the reason we love Mike Leach is because his filter is non-existent. Wednesday morning Leach was a guest on Steve Czeban's show on Yahoo sports radio selling his book "Swing Your Sword." Once again Leach went off on the 4-letter and Craig James.

Click on the link below to hear it.
http://www.yahoosportsradio.com/shows/mike-leach-with-the-czabe-4844/

Leach feels he's not coaching right now because he believes he was a victim of a national smear campaign and that the 4-letter and Craig James were involved.

Those of us in the OSG HQ would love to see Leach back on the sidelines and watch his offense work again. Hey North Carolina has an opening.

Mike Leach: "My Biggest Regret Was Not Cutting Adam James..."

((HT: SI.com))

Former Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach's new book is out...

"Swing Your Sword" could be a metaphor for a lot of different things, but obviously, the biggest story that Leach could tell in this one was the run-in with the James Gang and how the whole Adam-and-Craig against Leach element came to be...

From the book...

As a coach, you want it to work out. We invested a lot of time in coaching Adam James. We worked hard to try to rehabilitate him to make him a working part of the team. We thought he may have simply been the victim of his dad's little-league father tendencies, and that he'd eventually find a way to be his own, independent person. But that didn't turn out to be the case. I should've cut my losses, but I was really hoping that he'd improve and stuck with him.

Here's the video that Adam cut that started everything...
((HT: scottsterdotcom))