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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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BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Luke Falk #4 of the Washington State Cougars throws a pass during the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 19, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
BOULDER, CO – NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Luke Falk #4 of the Washington State Cougars throws a pass during the second quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 19, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

1. Luke Falk

Mike Leach’s signature element is the passing game and the Cougars have a great option to throw the ball in Luke Falk. The talented quarterback earned second team All-Pac-12 honors last season after leading the conference with a 70 percent completion rate and the most passing yards (4,468) and completions (443).

Falk carried the Cougars last season, playing his best games in wins against Arizona State, Oregon State and Arizona. The wheels started to fall of a little with a low completion rate against Colorado and truly bad outings versus Washington and then Minnesota in the Holiday Bowl.

However, the numbers Falk produced in 2016 were no fluke. His 2016 numbers were almost identical to his numbers in 2015. There is reason to expect his numbers in 2017 will be similar. In 2015, Falk threw for 4,561 yards, while he threw for 4,468 in 2016. His completion percentage in 2015 was 69 percent, while his completion percentage in 2016 was 70 percent.

Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Way-too-early edition

Falk could have been a decent draft pick depending on his performance in private workouts and at the NFL Draft Combine. However, he has a chance to improve his draft stock with an even better senior season. He said the end of the 2016 season did sit well. Now he has a chance to correct the ending in 2017.

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