Washington State quarterback Luke Falk throws the ball in a game. (Photo Courtesy ofRyan Pearce | The Daily Evergreen)
Over the course of the season, teams have to face and overcome adversity. This season's Washington State football team (3-7, 1-5 Pac-12) is no different.
One of the biggest obstacles the Cougars have faced is the loss of redshirt senior quarterback Connor Halliday.
Halliday holds multiple school, conference and national passing records and despite missing Washington State's last game and a large portion of the one before it, still leads the country in passing yards this season.
But since a leg injury ended Halliday's last college season against USC Nov. 1, redshirt freshman Luke Falk has stepped in and performed admirably.
In his first start of his career, Falk completed 44 of his 61 pass attempts for 471 yards and five touchdowns in a road win over Oregon State Nov. 8.
Now, after a week off, Falk will have to face a different animal in terms of defensive style. The Cougars will travel to Tempe to face off against a No. 13 ASU team coming off a loss to the same Oregon State team that Falk beat in his starting debut.
The Sun Devils (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) are known for pressuring opposing quarterbacks through blitzes. Coach Mike Leach said that Falk has to be aware of the blitz and if he does, the Cougars can move the ball.
"The biggest thing is to recognize and react to (blitzes)," Leach said. "We've gotten a good amount of it this year. Of course Luke isn't as experienced playing in this league. We're comfortable enough with it, but you've got to sort it out quick and make a quick decision because they're coming after you."
While the Cougars will need their young quarterback to step up, ASU will rely on its veteran passer to steady the team.
Redshirt senior Taylor Kelly has taken some heat from fans since his return from injury but Leach recognizes Kelly's talent and his leadership.
"I think he's kind of the leader of that team," Leach said. "I think his leadership skills are what distinguish him the most and kind of holds it all together."
Washington State will need all the help it can get to stop Kelly and the ASU offense but the team will be without a key contributor in the secondary for the first half of Saturday's game.
Sophomore cornerback Daquawn Brown will have to sit out for the first half after being penalized for targeting during the Cougars' last game. Leach said that it is not a huge deal for his team.
"We'll make it work," Leach said. "We've been shorthanded all season."
One challenge that is out of the team's control is the start time of the game.
Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Tempe and, given the time change between Washington and Arizona, that will feel like 10 a.m. for the Cougars.
Leach said that he has had teams start games at that time when he was in the Cotton Bowl and that the start time impacts the rest of the day.
"Yeah, a little bit (of concern)," Leach said. "You start the whole thing at 5:30, 6 a.m. and take off running and go full steam into the game."
Photo Courtesy of The Daily Evergreen
Reach the reporter at mtonis@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Tonis_The_Tiger
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