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Washington State Football: 5 reasons the 2016 season was no fluke

By Erich Hilkert

PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Mike Leach of the Washington State Cougars takes the field in the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Martin Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WA - OCTOBER 25: Head coach Mike Leach of the Washington State Cougars takes the field in the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Martin Stadium on October 25, 2014 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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PULLMAN, WA PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 17: Shalom Luani #18 of the Washington State Cougars carries the ball to a touchdown on an interception return against the Oregon State Beavers in the fourth quarter at Martin Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Oregon State 52-31. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) OCTOBER 17: Shalom Luani
PULLMAN, WA PULLMAN, WA – OCTOBER 17: Shalom Luani #18 of the Washington State Cougars carries the ball to a touchdown on an interception return against the Oregon State Beavers in the fourth quarter at Martin Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeated Oregon State 52-31. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) OCTOBER 17: Shalom Luani /

4. Turnovers

One school of thought holds that turnovers are a chance event and a team has no control over turnovers. However, most coaches will tell you this is false. Coaches practice ball security and break down film with quarterbacks for a reason.

Good coaching can’t eliminate turnovers but limiting turnovers improves a team’s chances of winning a game. Top defensive coaches teach players techniques to strip the ball from offensive players to create turnovers.

Washington State head coach Mike Leach had a tough first season in Pullman, which is standard for a coach taking over a program.

However, it should be noted the team finished minus-nine in turnovers. The Cougars improved in turnovers in 2013 and went to a bowl game with minus-five turnovers. In 2014, the team regressed. With a minus-17 turnover, the Cougars never stood a chance.

Washington State got back on track in 2015 with a minus-one turnover margin, finishing 9-4. In 2016, the team finished with a positive-six margin. With an opportunistic defense and Luke Falk returning, the Cougars should keep the positive trend going.

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