more evaluation to do. WSU’s regular season is over, ending with three straight losses. The truth is that this latest loss is reminiscent of Dickert’s last two teams: They have regressed as the season has unfolded, as teams get the scout on them, and they are too one-dimensional to adjust.
The story of WSU’s loss, to a Wyoming team that entered this game with two wins, is the story of the last two Cougars teams. They got out to blazing starts, this season taking down Texas Tech and rival Washington in September, only to sputter out once opponents understand their tendencies. On Saturday evening, after the Cougars scored two early touchdowns, their offense produced just 57 yards and no points in the second half – the way Dickert’s last two teams have ended their seasons.
WSU is just 2-6 in its past two Novembers. Last season, amid a six-game losing streak, the Cougars also went 0-4 in October, dropping only one game to a ranked foe.
Dickert said those opponents were tough, and he was right. They were traditional Pac-12 opponents, and as perplexing as WSU’s losing streak was, at least it came against Power Five competition.
But there is no precedent for this. WSU was beaten on its home field by a Wyoming team that entered the game in last place in the Mountain West.
Dickert’s recent teams have struggled as the season unfolds, and apparently, the level of competition doesn’t matter too much.
The story was in the beginning of Saturday’s game. After WSU quarterback John Mateer accounted for two touchdowns against Wyoming, one a screen pass to senior wideout Kyle Williams and one a short scoring plunge, offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and the Cougars didn’t crack a Cowboys defense that let FCS Idaho’s backup quarterback lead the Vandals to victory. Also on the Wyoming defense’s ledger this season is giving up 45 points while defeating New Mexico earlier this month.
It made no difference to WSU’s offense, which looked stubborn and unimaginative in the second half. In the third quarter, the Cougars opened a drive with three straight completions, the first for 15 yards. Their next three plays: rush for 3 yards, pass for loss of 7 yards, false start, QB draw on third-and-20.
