WSU vs. USC Game Notes

Nov. 1, 2003

Trojan kicker Ryan Killeen helped USC become just the fourth team to record points in the first quarter this season against Washington State. Colorado recorded a touchdown against the Cougars Sept. 13, Oregon recorded a safety Sept. 27, and Oregon State safety Mitch Meeuwsen scored on a 45-yard interception return last week.

Washington State wide receiver Devard Darling hauled in his fifth touchdown reception of the season and the 16th of his career on the first play of the second quarter. Darling is now tied with four other players for fourth on WSU's all-time touchdown receptions list. Hugh Campbell is the record holder with 22.

For the second time in as many weeks, senior wide receiver Scott Lunde had a big day. Last week against Oregon State, Lunde hauled in eight passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. He followed that up this week by catching 10 passes for 117 yards against USC. Prior to the Oregon State game, Lunde had just 10 catches for 260 yards...Lunde's 10 catches equals the fourth most catches by a Cougar in one game...it is the 11th time a WSU receiver has caught 10 passes...the last to do so was Leaford Hackett against Stanford, 1999.

Senior wide receiver/return specialist Sammy Moore added 137 all-purpose yards against USC to the 1,008 he had entering the contest to finish with 1,145. Bernard Jackson is the school record holder in that category, racking up 2,118 all-purpose yards in 1971.

Washington State's third quarter production continued to be an indicator of the outcome for the Cougars. WSU has won 25-straight games when scoring in the third quarter, and has been defeated by Notre Dame and USC in 2003 while not scoring in the third quarter.

Washington State kicker Drew Dunning tied a career-best by connecting on a 49-yard field goal in the second quarter. Dunning is 20 of 22 on field goal attempts this season and just 24 points away from Jason Hanson's school record 328 career points. Dunning is 6 of 7 from 40 yards or longer this season.

Prior to the Oregon State game, Washington State had outscored opponents in the first half 112-31. In the last two contests, OSU and USC have posted a 40-24 advantage against the Cougars in the opening half.

Washington State's loss to USC ended a streak of nine straight wins against California schools in the Pac-10. WSU's last loss to a conference rival from the state of California was the 2000 season-opener against Stanford (Sept. 2, 2000 - 24-10). The Cougars defeated California and USC in 2000, UCLA, Stanford, and California in 2001, Stanford, USC, and UCLA in 2002, and had already defeated Stanford this season.

INJURIES: Linebacker Al Genatone (high ankle sprain, X-rays negative); Quarterback Matt Kegel (right knee sprain); Matt Kegel suffered a knee injury (suspected MCL strain) but returned to action; Cody Boyd suffered a hip pointer; Adam West suffered a concussion.

Turnovers - WSU was -14 and leading the nation after seven games...in the last two games WSU is -6 in turnovers, including -4 against USC.

WSU ran a season-high 87 plays...the previous high this year was 86 against New Mexico.

-WSU's -25 rushing includes -64 in team rushing when two snaps from punt formation sailed over the punter's head...WSU runners gained 39 net yards, including sacks.

The last time WSU gave up 222 yards rushing was 292 by Ohio State at Columbus last year...LenDale White is the first back this year to gain over 100 yards against WSU.

Washington State University Athletics

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