PULLMAN, Wash. — The Washington State Cougars are preparing to host Texas Tech in week two following a week one performance which saw the Cougar offense put up nine touchdowns and the Cougar defense allow 30 points to an FCS opponent.
"Defensively, we shot ourselves in the foot and played some bad ball at times. That's communicating, it's execution, it's being on the same page, it's jumping offsides on third down and eight, it's not getting your eyes right and doing your job in certain capacities," WSU head coach Jake Dickert said.
The Cougs now face a Red Raiders team which features star running back Tahj Brooks and several playmaking wide receivers around quarterback Behren Morton.
"Obviously they are high powered, I believe at the end of the season Texas Tech's offense will be top 10 in the country, I think since they went to this quarterback last year, it clicked. They are rolling, he is confident, they have a bunch of receivers around him, I think they upgraded on the offensive line and the tailback is going to be the best all time rusher in Texas Tech football history," Dickert said.
On the other side of the ball, the Red Raider defense got lit up for 51 points by Abilene Christian in week one, so the Cougar offense may be set up for another explosive week on the Palouse.
Saturday also sees the return of wide receiver Josh Kelly to Gesa Field. He had 10 receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown week one against Abilene Christian.
"In new college football, you are going to play your former players," Dickert said. "That is what we have been dealing with for the last couple of years. Hopefully Josh would take nothing but positives from his experience here, he did a lot for our team and our program and he is tough to defend in the slot and he is good in their offense."
The Cougs and Red Raiders will kick it off at 7 p.m. Saturday night. You can catch the game on Fox.
