Washington State football overpowers depleted Colorado for 9th win

Washington State football is one game closer to playing for the Pac-12 title after demolishing Colorado. Here is how the Cougars earned their ninth win of 2018.

Washington State continues to justify its place as the one Pac-12 team with a legitimate shot to get into the College Football Playoff this season. The Cougars systematically dismantled Colorado on Saturday afternoon in Boulder, beating a Buffaloes team missing 11 of their 22 starters in a 31-7 victory.

The win will keep Washington State in the top 10 of the College Football Playoff selection committee’s Top 25 this week, and they could jump a spot or two from No. 9 after such a comprehensive victory over their hosts.

Gardner Minshew was once again the catalyst for Washington State’s offensive productivity. The East Carolina transfer threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns on 35-of-58 passing before exiting the game in the final two minutes. Minshew added 26 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Cougars won convincingly.

The Cougars gave up 10 receptions and 102 yards to Laviska Shenault Jr., but the standout Colorado receiver proved incapable of getting into the endzone. Buffaloes starting quarterback Steven Montez came out of the game on the final drive after going 20-of-35 for 199 yards, only for backup quarterback Sam Noyer to come into the game and throw an interception. Noyer received a targeting penalty as he made the tackle on the pick, but the call was reversed upon review as it proved his shoulder that made contact with Kedron Williams.

Washington State’s defense looked like a championship unit in the victory, as they held the Buffaloes under 300 total yards of offense. Colorado was often forced to play with long fields ahead of them, as punter Oscar Draguicevich averaged 50 yards per punt and put two of his four kicks inside the 20. The flip of field position kept the Buffaloes from being able to generate any real momentum.

With the win to get to 9-1, Washington State could lose next weekend against Arizona and it would have no lasting impact on whether they can reach the Pac-12 championship game. Either way, the Apple Cup showdown at home against rival Washington will decide which team represents the Pac-12 North in Santa Clara on the first weekend of December.

Colorado, on the other hand, is still searching for an elusive sixth win to reach bowl eligibility. Now 2-5 in Pac-12 play, the Buffaloes face Utah and Cal to close out the regular season.