Now Thats what I call a Cougar Cruiser

Horizon is doin up it's planes to represent the four Northwest Schools. Pretty damn cool if you ask me.

Full Details Here

A Great Time To Be A Coug

Seriously, could it be a better time right now?

Well, not THE BEST time, I mean the Rose Bowl years and even last March were proably more special, but I have been a lover of potential.

First off, even though no one on the east coast knows it yet, the #6 Cougs are among the class in the country. I've been watching College Ball for a long time and It's been awahile since I've seen such a dfensive juggernaut, and after watching us be horrible for a long time it is soooo great to see us at the level we are at.

Then we turn to Football, after yet another dissapointing season, I finally got the Christmas present I'd been asking for, a new coach.

And it's the coach I have wanted for three years, Paul Wulff.

Seriously He's young, Hungry, A former Coug, and He's done great things at Eastern:

Two Conference Championships and Three Playoff appearences in the last Four Years.

Good times indeed.

A Group of Vikings can't stop a Drunk Austrailian on His Birthday.

OK so, I severely doubt Big Daddy was drunk during the game, but I'm sure with the combination of his 21st B-day and the fact that he starred once again, a fosters or two were tipped back last night.

Baynes had 23 and 9 rebounds to torch Portland State 72-60

Cougars battle YET ANOTHER Cupcake

VS.

I think we are all still reeling from last Wednesday's big win, in light of that we return home today to face Big Sky "Power" Portland State.

I am excited about this years squad as much as the next guy, but am I the only one that would have rather seen more than one ranked team in Non-Conference?

I understand that Pac-10 play is gonna be tough with UCLA, Oregon and the like. Hell even UW is looking decent.

It just sucks that the #8 team in the nation still isn't getting the respect it deserves. I can't help but think our schedule has something to do with that.

OK off the soapbox.

Look for more fantastic D from a fired up Cougar team and a big win today.

Football Award Time

Yeah yeah yeah Tim Tebow blah blah blah.

More importantly The Cougars gave out thier Team awards last night.

Heres the Results:

SENIOR AWARDS
Laurie Niemi Award (Cougar Attitude) Chris Baltzer
Frank Butler Award (Cougar Spirit) Michael Bumpus
Fred Bohler Award (Cougar Inspiration) Jed Collins
TEAM AWARDS
Leon Bender Award (Defensive Lineman of the Year) Ropati Pitoitua
Mike Utley Award (Offensive Lineman of the Year) Bobby Byrd
Tim Petek Award (Strongest Man Award) Greg Trent and Matt Mullennix
Ozzie Dire Award (Scout Team Player of the Year) Michael Willis
Offensive Most Valuable Player Alex Brink
Defensive Most Valuable Player Husain Abdullah
SPECIAL TEAMS AWARDS
Hammer Xavier Hicks

Cougs get some Andy Katz/ESPN love.

Busy week so I wasn't great about getting the posts up, but I have to say Wednesday proved a lot for this years Cougar team.

And I am not the only one that thinks so.

ESPN.com columnist Andy Katz has a great article up about Wednesday nights game, and the evolution of the program, here

Breaking down the rest of this years winners

OK, so with my soul successfully purged over DoucheBag McDrinkypants winning Coach of the year, (see previous post) I figure we chould breakdown the rest of this years winners.





PAC-10 OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR- Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon

Really can't argue with this one. He was obviously all that Oregon had going for it in 2007, lets just hope he heals up enough for the pros.

PAT TILLMAN PAC-10 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR- Sedrick Ellis, NT, USC

Again, extremely hard to argue with this one, USC's defense was unstoppable and you could have pretty much picked anyone from that side of the ball for the Trojans.

PAC-10 FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR- Jake Locker, QB, Washington

The hetero-man love continues for Locker. Somewhere Barry Tompkins is lying next to Locker in bed, stroking his hair and whispering "I'm proud of you, my little man"


ALL CONFERENCE TEAMS

Not gonna map them all out but:

1st team Offense:
Brandon Gibson

2nd team Offense:
Alex Brink
Jed Collins


No Defensive or Special Teams players to speak of, shocked? Me neither.

Worlds Most Overrated Coach Wins Award

Pac 10 awards came out yesterday and Dennis Erickson was named Coach of the Year.

Seriously, why do people continue to drink the Kool-aid (or whatever they may be drinking) with this guy.

Erickson has never put together a team of his own, he has only succeeded with teams he inherited.


Lets take a look at asswipe's career:

WYOMING 1986
While there, he promised the fans of Wyoming a long tenure, then immediately accepted the head coaching job at Washington State. He left immediately in the middle of the night, not informing his players, and leaving thousands of angry fans who still hate him to this day.
(sound familiar Idaho fan?)
Hated in Laramie

WASHINGTON STATE 1987-1988
Inherited Jim Walden's recruits
Went 9-3 in the 1988 season and leading the Cougars to a win in the Aloha Bowl.
Immediately left for Miami.
Hated in Pullman.

Miami 1989-94

Inherited Jimmy Johnson's team.

Won two national titles.

Wheels fell off in 93 and 94

Erickson bolts, team put on probation for numerous violations.
Hated in Miami

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 1994-1998
No players to inherit.
Does nothing of note.
Fired to bring in Mike Holgren.
Seattle is indifferent.

OREGON STATE 1999-2002
Inherits Mike Riley's Recruits (see a pattern here?)
Team goes to 2001 Fiesta Bowl
Wheels fall off the next season
Bolts for NFL.
His early departure left many OSU fans angry with him for betraying his contract. (again...pattern?)
Hated in Corvallis

San Francisco 49ers 2003-2004

Inherit's shitty team
They get even Shittier
Erickson is fired.
San Francisco Doesn't Notice

Idaho 2006
Inherits even shittier team
Promises to rebuild troubled program.
Goes 4-8.
Bolts after one year (sound familiar Wyoming?)
REALLY hated in Moscow.

Arizona State 2007-????

Inherits Dick Koetter's Team
Goes 10-2
Wins Pac-10 Coach of the year????


Seriously, has no one figured it out yet?

Cougs all most get Burned in Waco (too soon?)

Despite being down 12 at the half, The cougs rallied to beat Baylor 67-64 last night.

Derrick Low was 1-for-8 before hitting two thre in the final 46 seconds to get the win.

Personally I am glad we got this scare out of the way before our hardest test yet on Wednesday.

Washington State is off to its best start since opening the 1991-92 season with 12 straight victories.

There's a really great game tonight that you don't get to see.

"Your game film in advance"













The Cougars travel to Waco, Texas tonight for thier first major test of the year against Baylor.

The problem is ESPN is pulling the NFL Network card on us.

Tonights game, and Wednesday's potentially huge match-up between The Cougs and #19 Gonzaga, will be broadcast in ESPNU.

Thats right ESPNU, a channel that isn't carried by most major cable providers (ie Comcast), therefore, most folks wont have the option of watching these games at all.

It's all a ploy to try and strong arm said providers into adding the channel by showing more than just Lacrosse or whatever other mundance college sports they usually carry.

It's puzzling to me that a network who has bashed the NFL for thier exclusive games would effectively pull the same lame trick on us. (And this isn't just sour grapes, some major games throughout the country are getting the same treatment.)

And the shittiest part of it is, I'm totally gonna drink the Kool-Aid! I will be running out to find a bar with "The U" on Wednesday to watch the Cougs crush the Zag's. So in effect I am helping the problem.

DAMN YOU ESPN, PUT THE GOOD GAMES ON THE REAL CHANNEL AND SHOW SOME STINKING BOWLING TOURNAMENT ON THE U!

EFF-YOU BRISTOL!!!!!!!

R.I.P Tony Harris

I waited a few days to chat about this because I didn't want to start the site on a bummer note.

The first time I ever saw a Cougar basketball game in person, Tony was on the floor.

It was an amazing team in 1994, heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years.

Thats when I started to live and breathe Cougars Basketball.

I won't get into any of the trashy speculation surrounding Tony's death.

I just want to pay tribute to a man who helped get me into College Basketball, which is now one of my top sports to watch.

My thoughts are with the Harris family

Alex Brink is good at football...sometimes.

Alex Brink was named the Pac-10 offensive
player of the week yesterday.

This comes after his 399-yard, five-touchdown passing performance in the Cougars' come-from-behind 42-35 win at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Saturday.

What a great way to finish it out for Brink, he had his troubles at times but I was always kind of inclined to root for the guy.

All time QB stats leader at the school, first with 3 Apple Cup wins, and this honor to end his career.

Can't help but tip my cap to that.

Thank You Merciful God ITS OVER!!!!!!!

"Hello, and welcome to Walmart"

I can barely keep a smile off my face as I write this:

SEATTLE TIMES REPORTING BILL DOBA TO BE FIRED TODAY!

Oh sweet god thank you. It's been a long time coming.

What can you say? 30-29 record, the bad play calling, the lack of recruiting.

The official announcement is not until 4:30pm, but the worst thing I can say right now is Sterk made us wait this long.

Now look, don't gt me wrong, the guy was good as a D-coordinator, but not unlike Lloyd Carr at Michigan, the game plain passed him by.

Sounds like the entire staff will be let go and some will be re-interviewed, but folks it's time for a fresh set of minds here.

I am plan my extensive search for a new coach myself and will offer my humble opinions tomorrow.

Movin on Up!

The Cougars are now the Number 6 team in the nation in both polls.

The Cougs move up from 9th after three impressive victories over the weekend.

It is their highest ever ranking in either poll.

Heres the top Tens from Both:


USA Today/ESPN
1.
UCLA (12)
2.
North Carolina (13)
3.
Memphis (5)
4.
Kansas (1)
5.
Georgetown
6.
Washington St.
7.
Duke
8.
Texas
9.
Texas A&M
10.
Louisville


Division I Polls
Rankings
Division I Polls


AP Top 25
1.
North Carolina (28)
2.
UCLA (25)
3.
Memphis (18)
4.
Kansas
5.
Georgetown (1)
6.
Washington St.
7.
Duke
8.
Texas
9.
Texas A&M
10.
Michigan St.

Cougs unafraid of big fancy jets and stuff

22 points from Talyor Rochestie and 19 more for Derrick Low (including 6 Three Pointers) proved too much for the 5-1 Air Force Falcons and the Cougars won thier sixth straight, 71-62.

Kyle Weaver added 15 of his own in the win.

Cougars to Battle with The U.S. Military!

VS.

Ok so it's just a service academy, but the Falcons are 5-1 and could give us quite the test. I mean they're no Mississippi Valley State but.

Other pac-10 stuff today:

Arizona @ (4) Kansas- The Cats try to make a statement at Allen Fieldhouse, Look for dejected Jayhawk fans, still reeling from yesterday's beating at the hands of Mizzou, to find renewed spirit when Mark Mangino shows up and sits on Lute Olsen.

USC vs. (19) Southern Ill.- This is the championship of the Anahiem Classic so the Trojans will have a bit of the home court advantage, even though it's a "neutral site".

Could be a good chance for USC to reedem thier early stumbles, but not likely.

BTW- SIU's mascot is the Suluki which is a dog, now you know, whether you give a crap or not.

Portland @ Oregon State- OSU is picked to finish last in the Pac and Portland is a middle of the road WCC team so welcome to the battle of who gives a shit!

Washington Teams Can Win At Football-Update!

Huge I-AA Upset for the Eagles!



Matt Nicholls passed for 434 yards and Dale Morris ran for four touchdowns as Eastern Washington handed second-seeded McNeese State its first defeat of the year, 44-15, in a first-round playoff game Saturday.

















Next up for EWU is Appalachian State (Yes that Appalachian State!).



Ap State is the two-time defending national champ and of course holds a special place in every Cougs heart after making the Wolverines sob uncontrollably into thier bowl of bitch flakes to start the year.



And with Montana getting shocked by Wofford yesterday, The Eagles are the only Big Sky team left in the running.



HUGE UPSET No.2!



Central Washington rallied for 13 points in the final 3 minutes to stun the University of Nebraska at Omaha 20-17 in the NCAA Division II football playoffs on Saturday.

Central Washington's comeback sends the Wildcats (10-2) into the quarterfinals against two-time defending champion Grand Valley State.

Grand Valley State has no recent wins of major note but I am fairly sure they could beat Michigan as well.

Tomorrow could seal fate for Prince of Poop Mountain

"Lets hurry up and get outta here, Matlock's almost on!"

This from the Seattle Times this morning:

Jim Sterk, Washington State athletic director, says no decision has been made on whether Bill Doba will return as head coach at WSU.
Sterk said an announcement could come Monday, but said it might amount to a statement that the situation is still under review.

Oh dear god, please put us out of our misery Jim.

The story goes on to say:

Sterk acknowledged Saturday before kickoff that if a change is made, former Cougars coach Mike Price is a potential candidate.

While I think we do need a change, I'm not sure the original King of Poop Mountain is the answer, despite a glorious bowl game run in his first year, Price has done absolutely NOTHING at UTEP. He went 4-8 this year, which is, oh yeah, roughly a similar record to ours.

I will offer my top candidates later this week. But until then...

Read the full story here

APPLE CUP 2007- The Hangover

And so it goes,

Again quite possibly the best Apple Cup ever has come to pass, with the Cougars winning number 100.

Alex Brink was again the quiet star. Throwing for 399 yards and Five TDs to become the first Cougar QB to win three Cups.

Of course yesterday's other breakout stars had to be Frishknecht and Gibson.

Freek-a-Leek wowed everybody in the 1st half and then Gibson brought it home when it counted. Thank god we'll have them both next year (well maybe, more on that in a moment).

JAKE LOCKER MAN-LOVE NOT LOST ON COUGARS

Look I agree the guy is amazing, but it's getting a little ridiculous, especially after listening to Tompkins and Papadakis fellate him for four quarters yesterday.

But now the Cougs are chiming in.

linebacker Cory Evans: "He's bigger than I thought. He's faster than I thought. He's an athlete. To me, he could play any position on the field. I think he could throw it to himself and catch it if they'd let him."

Jesus, Did you buy him dinner first?

Bill "Prince of Poop Mountain" Doba: "Ever see him come around the corner?" "I'm not too sure I'd step in front of him. He's a big son of a gun."

Yeah bill, maybe if you'd got off your old ass and recruited, he'd be playing for us?

DON'T PANIC....YET

Wide receiver Brandon Gibson, who caught the tying and winning passes from Alex Brink, said he expects to be back for his senior season but will submit his name to the NFL draft. The NFL provides nonseniors with a projected round of where they would go in the draft.

OHHHH DEAR GOD NOOOOOOOO!

APPLE CUP 2007-Redemption

The FSN pre-game could've been the most pompous thing I have ever seen. "The Celebration of Battle" Oh dear god, I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. and away we go!


So here comes the opening kickoff and…..

SSSSSHHHHHHHIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTT

14:45 1st

Rankin runs right into my soul on the opening kickoff.

Washington 7 - Washington State 0

11:00 1st

We ran a toss on 3rd and 19 and now the Huskies are driving. I am Officially switching from beer to hard liquor. Tompkins just said the Huskies are "El Fuego". So Washington is Currently "The Fire"?

8:00 1st

I want to punch a child right now.

Washington 10 Washington State 0

6:30 1st

FSN gives us all hope by showing highlights from the '92 cup, possibly the greatest Apple Cup ever. and then.....Cougars forget to pick up the most gimmie fumble in football history and the Huskies get a 20 yard gain on the play.Come on Tequila kick in.

BTW, Did you know that Louis Rankin punches and kills cute little puppy dogs for fun?Just thought you should know.


1:04 1st

Beautiful pass and even better run by Frischknecht (pronounced Freek-a-leek bitches!) and we are back in this shit.

Washington 10 Washington State 7

end of 1st

Perhaps I was prematurely negative, but then again I do alot of things prematurely.

Washington 10 Washington State 7

12:53 2nd

Dear God, Please Kill Jake Locker
So, we let a guy with a messed up neck run untouched into the endzone....shit.

I just saw a sign that said "Welcome to the Locker Room" I guess thats fitting since naked men have been inside both..oh yes thats what it has come to.

Washington 17 Washington State 7

5:58 2nd

That just happened!
The craziest play I've ever seen in an Apple Cup sets up a great touchdown run by Ivory.

Uncomfortable Sideline Moment
Just before the touchdown, Jack "Throwin Samoan" Thompson was being interviewed on the sideline.He quipped that his favorite moment was sitting on the sideline with Levy at the '75 Cup and how they wanted to transfer to San Diego State.

Ahhhh memories...Have another drink Jack!

Washington 17 Washington State 14

:27 2nd

Freek-a-Leek Again!
Junior TE Frishknecht has 4 catches for 83 yards and 2 scores in the first half!I would name my first child after him if I could pronounce his name.

WASHINGTON STATE 21 Washington 20

Halftime
We got a ballgame!
21-20 lead at half.

Frischknecht is coming out of his skin. I am crawling in to a bottle of Sauza.

9:11 3rd
Wheeeereee'd Whoooooo Gooooooo????
An absolutely gorgeous pass to Jeshua Anderson.

Washington State 28 Washington 20


5:00 3rd
Who had him?
Reece burns the Cougar secondary worse than Paris Hilton "burns" anyone she's ever slept with.

Huskies get the two.

Washington State 28- Washington 28

End of the 3rd

I may have a coronary.

Washington State 28 Washington 28

12:18 4th
A love story in the making
Tompkins just made a Dickensian reference in professing his love for Jake Locker.If Barry's head were any farther up Locker's ass he'd be calling plays for him.
Tompkins is buying a ring and Locker is picking out a china pattern.

Washington 35 Washington State 28

7:29 4th
Run Son Run
Gibson with possibly the greatest run after catch in Cup history!Washington State 35- Washington 35

2:18 4th
Cougars have the ball back
Are chest pains and a numb left arm a bad thing?
Washington State 35 – Washington 35

:40 4th
At the Husky 35

Oh My Gooooooddddd
Please just let me keep conciousness.

:31 4th
I HAVE JUST COMPLETED IN MY PANTS!
Wide open to Gibson and we got the lead

WASHINGTON STATE 42 Washington 35

BALLGAME

Possibly the greatest Apple Cup I have ever seen.

I need a beer badly

Final Score

Washington State 42 Washington 35

Is It Possible for Ducks to Cry?

UCLA 16-Oregon 0

Two weeks, two Quarterbacks with blown out knees. Bye Bye Rose Bowl.

I should feel bad for them but...umm...yeah I pretty much don't.

Cougs Beat Up A Bunch Of Hapless Rednecks

In a beating that resembled one of the better episodes of Cops.

The Cougs beat Mississippi Valley State 71-26 in Spokane at the Cougar Hispanic College Fund Classic.

I know you are not supposed to schedule anybody tough in your pre-season tourney, but this is friggin ridiculous!

Caleb Forrest scored a career high 13 points and Kyle Weaver added 13 of thier own.

It was Washington State's best defensive showing since holding Idaho to 23 points in 1948. The Cougars held MVSU to just nine points in the second half and 27.9 percent shooting.

I'll repeat that for you:

9 POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF!

Next up is Air Force tomorrow.

Your Afternoon Pac Ten Update

Wow only three games on the docket today.

Stanford Vs. Notre Dame- The Fightin Harbaughs try to be the next haven't-beat-Notre-Dame-in-umpteen-years to do just that.

My Pick: Stanford 24 Notre Dame 17

Oregon Vs. UCLA- The Good News for the Ducks, with Arizona State's loss they will go to the Rose Bowl if they win out.

The Bad News- They have to try and do it behind Brady Leaf.

My Pick: Oregon 17 UCLA 6

and Finally

Wasington State vs. Washington- Well what can you say about this one. It's the only game that matters. And I will try and stay completely unbiased in my pick.

My Pick: Washington State 353 Washington -12

sorry, just couldn't do it.

Locker?...Dead!...Willingham?...

VS.

Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!

And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the goin' gets tough... the tough get goin'!

What the fuck happened to the Cougars I used to know? Where's the spirit? Where's the guts, huh? "Ooh, we're afraid to go with you Bluto, we might get in trouble." Well just kiss my ass from now on! Not me! I'm not gonna take this.

LET'S DOOOOOOOO IIIIIIIIIIIIIT!

Thats right folks, today is the day we end on a high note, stand up and shout it aloud.

Sure we've got an iffy quarterback, a swiss cheese defense and a coach who couldn't find a decent play if it were sitting on his face.

BUT TODAY WE FINISH UP STRONG, TODAY WE SHOW OUR LAST SPARK OF WHAT COULD'VE BEEN.

TODAY WE WIN THE APPLE CUP!

Other games to follow today:

vs.

#4 Missouri vs. #2 Kansas

You know how at the beginning of every year where we all get together, get REALLY drunk, raise our glasses and say THIS IS OUR YEAR, THIS IS WHEN EVERYONE FINDS OUT ABOUT US, THIS IS OUR CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON!

Students at the winner of this game will actually have some merit in those drunken ramblings.

(Personal Note: I am pulling for Mizzou simply beacuse Columbia is the coolest College Party Town this side of Pullman!)

vs.

Eastern Washington vs.McNeese State

NCAA I-AA (Don't you dare call it FCS) Playoffs.


AND

vs.

Central Washington vs. Nebraska-Omaha

NCAA Division II Playoffs

OK, so you can't actually watch either game, and no one really cares about I-AA football, and care even less about D-2 Football. But it is still nice to see at least a couple local schools with a shot at a National Title!

Cougs survive scare from Backwoods Militia

"This is my PAIN FACE!"

Despite only leading by 2 at halftime, Wazzu held Montana to 39 percent from the floor and won 66-55 at the Cougar Hispanic College Fund Challenge.

Taylor Rochestie scored 17 off the bench and continues to become every Coug fan's hetero-mancrush.

Next up for the Cougs is Mississippi Valley State.

Fight Fight Fight for....

Hello and welcome to my Cougar Sports blog. This site is dedicated to my Favorite Sport, which is whatever sport the Cougars are playing that day.

I'll try and update as frequently as I can. I'm looking to kick it off with a live blog of the Apple Cup today.