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)