Q+A with CougCenter
by TwistNHook on Oct 23, 2009 7:45 AM PDT
in Football
45 comments
Washington State fans are very lucky. I know given a lot of the rough seasons they've had the last few years, that might be a shocking statement. But while other fanbases have blogs that deal with failure the same way chickens deal with losing their head, WSU fans have CougCenter. Over at CougCenter, Nuss, Grady, and Dancing Football are the team that manage all the WSU information over there. And they have a cool head, analyzing all the painful losses here reasonably and with extreme intelligence.
After the jump, check out an interview we did with CougCenter. They did a great job there and even if you are overlooking this game for ASU, we aren't. Let's take a further look at the Washington State Cougars. Go Bears!
1. How much is Wazzu going to win by?
But then again, there's a chance you do to us what Oregon did and we win by negative-46.
2. How's James Montgomery doing? What exactly happened to him?
Never heard of acute compartment syndrome? Neither had we, or anyone else we'd talked to, which led us to initially dismiss its severity. Turns out, if left untreated, it can result in loss of limb ... or even death. I am not making that up.*
* It seems that if you want your football career ended by freaky injuries, come to Washington State! Our guys don't just get hurt in the normal way; they get things like acute compartment syndrome, paralyzation in a car accident, a broken neck ...
When the surgery was performed, they had to remove part of the calf muscle where the pressure had built up. That's obviously not good for an athlete, and has led to speculation that Montgomery's football career might be over. However, it seems far too early for such a conclusion, and it sounds like Montgomery is the kind of guy who, if it's possible to come back, he'll make it back. He's reportedly in good spirits, but whether he'll travel to Berkeley this weekend is up in the air.
3. Please tell us about your most dangerous offensive threat, and your best defensive player.
Offense: Let's go with Dwight Tardy. He's an experienced running back who has shown an ability at times to put up big numbers. The only problem is that the opportunities to put up big numbers haven't been there the past couple of years, since there haven't been any holes to run through. He has the ability to break one, although he's not going to remind you guys of Best or Vereen.
Defense: There aren't a lot of standouts on this unit -- just a lot of average guys. It's probably the reason why this defense has been better, but not great, as it lacks any serious playmakers. That said, I'll go with Louis Bland. As the team's fourth linebacker, Bland might not even start -- depends on whether middle linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis is fully recovered from his staph infection -- but when he's on the field, good things happen. He's got a pair of interceptions already this year and just has a nose for the ball.
4. Can you guys give us a brief history of how you tumbled so fast? What did Bill Doba do to you guys???
via www.wfaa.com
5. Give us your best upset scenario. Don't skimp on the gory details; the Cal fans who are left after the debacles vs. Oregon and USC absolutely revel in that kind of stuff.
However, if the unlikeliest of scenarios is to happen, I think this is how it goes down: Best gets hurt, Vereen gets hurt, whoever your third running back is can't run the ball, Riley throws multiple interceptions -- at least three of which must be returned for touchdowns -- and the Cougar offense has two touchdown plays of 75-plus yards. A field goal by Nico Grasu makes it 38-35 Cougs.
6. How much should Cal fans fear Dwight Tardy?
7. Please enlighten us with some cougar jokes.
A gorgeous younger guy ends up with a beautiful older woman at a wild club. As the evening progresses with drinking and sexy dancing, she asks the young hunk if he’s ever had a "sportsman’s double?" He says what’s that? She explains that it’s a mother and daughter threesome. The guy thinks, if the mother is this hot then the daughter must be even better, so he agrees! He thinks this is his lucky night! He goes home with her, and as they get in the house, the fabulous cougar shouts upstairs ...
"Mom you still awake?"
2 recs |
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Thank you, we'll be here all week
Or at least through about 5 p.m. tomorrow.
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 23, 2009 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have yet to try either the chicken or the fish.
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Oct 23, 2009 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exciting news about Louis Bland!
He’s hurt and probably won’t play. We are so awesome our bye week actually can worsen our injury situation!
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
by Dancing Football on Oct 23, 2009 8:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
hahahaha
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash on Oct 23, 2009 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My uncle had compartment syndrome after a bypass. It was the worse part of the whole thing, must be horrible for an athlete.
by Kai on Oct 23, 2009 8:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Also for people who missed it
Check out the podcast with CBKWit, Twist and the Coug Center boys!
Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com
by Avinash on Oct 23, 2009 8:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So, you’re saying that the Cougars’ most exciting player on defense is named Bland? Man, you guys have it rougher than I thought!!
So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!
by ragnarok on Oct 23, 2009 8:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
And our best running back is named Tardy
Seriously, you couldn’t make this stuff up if you tried.
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 23, 2009 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And your quarterback is named Tuel!
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Oct 23, 2009 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We also have a guy named Skylar Stormo.
Which would be an awesome name if he were any good. The problem is he is one of the suckiest of the suck.
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
by Dancing Football on Oct 23, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he needs a cape?
On ATQ I'm known as JSoCal Oski
It's spelled J-etc
by SoCal Oski on Oct 23, 2009 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow, it seems none of you guys are Cal fans. Where's your pessimism?
5. Give us your best upset scenario. Don’t skimp on the gory details; the Cal fans who are left after the debacles vs. Oregon and USC absolutely revel in that kind of stuff.
Let me give you an near upset scenario.
Riley is 25/36, completing 70% for 205 yards, 0TD, 1INT, 1 Fumble lost.
Best carries it 31 times for 129 yrds, 2TDs. However he’s hit behind the line multiple times for negative 19 yrds. He does have a long run of 44 yrds.
Jones has 9 catches for 78 yrds, 0TDs.
Ross has 5 catches for 45 yrds, 0TDs.
Not bad right? What was the final score? 20-17, Cal barely pulls out a win based on a 44yrd Best TD run in the 4th to retake the lead and an onside kick prevention to ice the game.
Sound familiar? This is what happened the last time the Cougs came to Berkeley. Longshore completed 70% of his passes, but was missing receivers badly all night and looked HORRIBLE. He couldn’t sustain any drives and the Cougs tackled our players immediately after getting the ball …our YAC was non existent. Brink wasn’t much better but connected a few times with Gibson for huge gains. Gibson had 4 catches for 136 yrds. That’s all it took to almost upset us at home.
If Riley were to throw like he did in Oregon, we can easily lose this game. Sure, they no longer have Gibson, but we no longer have Hawk and Djax. We consider ourselves a running team, but we’re waaaay more dependent on the pass than we think. And like 2007 taught us, completing 70% of our passes doesn’t translate into points unless we get first downs.
TO WIN:
1) Riley needs to have a few big throws and our WRs need to get YAC.
2) Best/Vereen need to be just average.
3) We CANNOT give up the big pass play, that’s how they almost beat us last time.
4) Can’t let Tool use his feet for 1st downs.
5) Tool will pick on our weakest DB… Josh Hill… repeatedly. Give him safety help.
by danzig on Oct 23, 2009 9:35 AM PDT reply actions 5 recs
Rec’d for reality check
Costs assessed against Twist
by CALumbus Bear on Oct 23, 2009 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
To which I would say ...
TO WIN:
1) Have you seen our defensive backs? Seriously, one of our other blogs has this way of evaluating them: “Did they pass the screen test? In other words, are our DBs still on the screen when the WR makes the catch?” Yes, this is our reality.
2) That should not be difficult, considering our YPC against.
3) Well, let’s see. We did have a 99 yard TD pass last game, and I think we had a nifty little WR end around throw for like 50 yards against Stanford … and that’s pretty much it.
4) Now this, I can wrap my brain around, as it actually might happen.
5) I’m fairly certain that nobody on our offense possesses the ability and/or experience to pick on anybody on your defense with any purpose or consistency. That includes both the QB and the WRs, none of whom approach the level Brink and Gibson were playing at two years ago.
I know you guys want to think there’s a chance this game could go south for you — truly, I had no idea until earlier this year that we had so much in common in terms of “shoe drop” angst — but it’s just completely implausible. I was at that game two years ago. This team is a shell of that one. And that might even be generous.
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 23, 2009 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
“NO we’re gonna lose!” “NO WE’RE GONNA LOSE”
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Oct 23, 2009 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
WE’RE DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
by CaliforniaCMB on Oct 23, 2009 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Point #5
Hagan is starting and it’s possible that SQT returns. Which means no Hill unless we play three DBs.
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Oct 23, 2009 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was under the assumption that Syd won’t play. I really hope he does cuz he contributes to our run support.
BTW: IT WORKED!!! I was going to email you, but I booted off of the Win7 DVD, formatted outside my installed OS and it worked. I guess it really is something that I installed on my OS. I was really nervous b/c I couldn’t find any used SATA drives to test it on… so I used one of my live backup drives… and it worked thank god. Let your friend know that I’m very grateful…. saved me from buying a new mobo.
by danzig on Oct 23, 2009 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
awesome. Good to hear that!
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Oct 23, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mother.......fuck........
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What happens in California makes the world go round.
by Spazzy Mcgee on Oct 23, 2009 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The funniest part was how that one guy nearly died!
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Oct 23, 2009 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Nuss is our serious guy!
CougCenter WSU's second main blog
by Dancing Football on Oct 23, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OT: Is the game being broadcast anywhere in California?
And, by extension, is there any possibility it might be available online?
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 23, 2009 10:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Stunningly enough, I have heard that they are not broadcasting it on TV.
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Oct 23, 2009 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are we still going to have open threads for each quarter?
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
by Berkelium97 on Oct 23, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t even think that’d be a problem. I guess so. Do you think we shouldn’t?
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Oct 23, 2009 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
One vote for yes!
Although I won’t be commenting from the stands, I’d like to see the conversation that develops based of Starkey’s take of the game…
It’ll be 200 posts of utter confusion! I can’t wait!
Undefeated in Southern California since Oct. 2009...
by CruzinBears on Oct 23, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
*based off
Undefeated in Southern California since Oct. 2009...
by CruzinBears on Oct 23, 2009 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we should, especially for those of us who will be listening to the radio coverage. CruzinBears has a good point, it would be pretty funny to see what happens in a live thread that’s only based on what Starkey says.
Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!
by Berkelium97 on Oct 23, 2009 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone go to the game and stream that sucker.
by CaliforniaCMB on Oct 23, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess I should have been clearer.
I was looking for TV. But thanks for that.
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 23, 2009 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
NAILED IT!
STAY THIRSTY, MY FRIENDS
by Thoroughbred on Oct 23, 2009 12:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Any Coug fans making the trip down to Berkeley?
Cal Football: It could happen!
by CalBandGreat on Oct 23, 2009 1:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wish
Had a great time last time I was there. Drank for hours at that little bar on campus on the way up to the stadium.
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 23, 2009 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bears Lair?
In other words, Go Bears!
by royrules22 on Oct 23, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup, that was it
Some guy was being a jerk and throwing pizza crust at us. But before I could do anything about it, a couple of other guys came over and said, “That’s messed up. Don’t worry about it — we’ll take care of it.” And they berated the guy. He stopped.
And then when I was standing in the beer line outside, some little old lady and her husband asked me if I was having a good time. They were being genuine. I’d go back to visit for a game in a heartbeat.
Eugene? Not so much.
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 23, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Glad you ended up having a pleasant experience!
by Yes We Cannon on Oct 23, 2009 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Next time you come down, come to our tailgate. Most of us are decent, pizza throwing guy aside.
Cal Football: It could happen!
by CalBandGreat on Oct 23, 2009 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s not that I wanted to hit you with that pizza, Nuss. It’s just that I didn’t want you to NOT be covered in pizza at that point.
President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!
www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com
by TwistNHook on Oct 23, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, OK
Glad we cleared that up. Thanks!
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 24, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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