California: DE Kyle Kragen.
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The Washington State Cougars get conference play going when they take on the No. 24 Cal Bears on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. PT. The Cougs and Bears lit up the scoreboard last season, combining for 119 points.
If this matchup is anything like last year’s between the two, it should be a shootout.
California quarterback Jared Goff (16) drops back to pass against Washington in the first half an NC …
The Cougars are led by redshirt sophomore Luke Falk, who now is atop the Pac-12 in passing yards (356.7) and was named Pac-12 Player of the Week after notching four touchdowns and 478 yards against Rutgers on September 12. And he’s only a junior.
California running back Daniel Lasco (2) leaps over San Diego State… He practiced fully throughout the week, and barring any unforeseen setbacks in the hours before the game, he will return to the backfield.
The teams combined for 1,401 yards in last year’s meeting won by Cal 60-59…. The Bears have allowed just two TD passes all season after ranking last with 42 allowed previous year.
FanSided Daily brings you the hottest content on your favorite teams. Washington State RB Keith Harrington has scored TDs in first three games of his career…. “He was just kind of a guy we threw in there because he was a healthy body”. The Cougars and the Bears are ranked ninth and 11th, respectively, in yards through the air, averaging 362.7 and 350.5 per game. “Hopefully, have it no more than 17 points”. The Bears also forced five turnovers, including a pair of interceptions from Browning.
Special teams could also play a key role. Cal escaped Pullman with the win after WSU missed a chip-shot 19-yard field.
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And in the context of the entire season, a win this weekend gives the Cougars a foothold in the Pac-12 race, sets up the scenario in which WSU needs just three wins in its final eight games to get to a bowl game and indicates the team is indeed getting better each week. They share the NCAA lead with nine interceptions, top the country with 14 takeaways and lead the Pac-12 with 12 sacks. Cal doesn’t have a return touchdown yet this year, but Davis, and the coaching staff, have to remember what happened last year. Expect more of the same when Mike Leach and former offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes meet again on Saturday, although Cal is noticeably improved from a year ago while Washington State has taken a step back.
