Washington State vs. Arizona: Will Cougars run against the Wildcats again?

That game two years ago was strange

When the Washington State Cougars beat the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson two years ago, we all assumed that Mike Leach would throw the ball a gazillion times, you know, like they always do.

But they found success running the ball, catching the Arizona defense off-guard. So I wondered if that would happen again.

Luckily, WSU beat writer Tom Hager, who writes for the Moscow-Pullman Daily News, was there to help me with that question, and more. I answered his questions about Arizona here. You can also find more WSU questions answered by CougCenter to get all your Cougar info.

1. Washington State used the running game to beat Arizona two years ago. What do you think the chances of that happening again this year are, and who's the back that would carry the load?

Tom Hager: That is a great question. Gerard Wicks has gotten the bulk of the carries so far (50 carries for 288 yards) but Jamal Morrow was impressive with an eight-carry, 68-yard performance against Oregon. Mike Leach has said he prefers his running back to lead the conference in all purpose yards, so I would look for Wicks, Morrow and Keith Harrington to all get several passes thrown their way against Arizona. They have combined for 58 receptions so far this season.

2. Do you think the Cougars' rushing defense will be able to contain Arizona's plethora of options at running back?

Hager: It speaks to how good Arizona's run game is when backup Jared Baker can rush for 207 yards and average 9.0 yards per carry, as he did against Colorado. I think the Wildcats are going to pile up plenty of yards, but WSU's defense is at least going to give Luke Falk a chance to win the game. Linebackers Jeremiah Allison and Peyton Pelluer have played well as of late, and I see that trend continuing against the Wildcats.

3. Since the beginning of the season, what's the biggest thing that WSU has improved on to put them in such a favorable position in the North?

Hager: I would say Falk has turned things around in a big way. He struggled in a season-opening loss to Portland State, and has proceeded to become one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Regardless of the system he's playing in, throwing 21 touchdowns and four interceptions in six games is pretty outstanding. In the first half against Oregon State he threw for six touchdowns.

4. Who has been the biggest surprise on this Cougar team?

Hager: Safety Shalom Luani has surpassed every expectation so far. I didn't think he would be a starter when fall camp began, and earned a starting spot and never looked back. He is by far the hardest hitter on the team, and had two interceptions against Oregon State. Mike Leach said the hardest hitter he's ever had is Dwayne Slay from Texas Tech, but Luani is working in that direction. If you YouTube some of Slay's big hits, you'll see that's quite a compliment.

5. Final score prediction?

Hager: Washington State 41, Arizona 38. I think the Cougars are just on a roll right now, and the idea of GameDay possibly coming to Pullman next week is going to help serve as a motivator.

Thanks to Tom for taking the time to answer our questions. You can follow him on Twitter @THager1918

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