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Sep. 29—BOISE, Idaho — Washington State’s spotless start to the season came to an end deep in its own territory, on a chunk of blue turf, the spot the visitors needed to convert on a late fourth down in a road test against No. 25 Boise State.
That’s where, trailing by just one score in the third quarter, the Cougars decided to go for it. Quarterback John Mateer took a snap and tried to push forward for the two feet he needed. He couldn’t get there, not even on a quarterback sneak.
Three plays later, Boise State made Washington State pay, using a touchdown pass to secure a two-score lead. The Cougars did respond on their next drive, but in the end, they suffered a 45-24 loss on Saturday evening in part because they couldn’t convert when it mattered most.
The biggest reason for WSU’s loss, though, was named Ashton Jeanty. Boise State’s star running back tore through WSU for 259 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries, breaking free for touchdown runs of 64 and 59 yards, hitting the Heisman Trophy pose after the second — which put this one away for good.
The Cougars (4-1) never could find a way to slow Jeanty, who entered Saturday ranked seventh nationally in missed tackles with 26. After this game, WSU’s first loss to Boise State since 2016, Jeanty will likely move up in that department. On his longest rushes, he slipped away from several tackles, dragging Cougars with him — even into the end zone on his 14-yard touchdown carry, which put BSU up 17-10 in the second frame.
It put on national display the tackling issues facing WSU, which ranks among the worst in the country this season in missed tackles, No. 124 of 143 FBS teams according to Pro Football Focus. Starting linebacker Buddah Al-Uqdah entered the game tied for first in the nation in missed tackles. He missed several more in this loss, and so did…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/recap-highlights-no-25-boise-150200554.html
Author : The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
Publish date : 2024-09-29 15:02:00
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