| 24 October 2009
Here's some video of Tuel's two TD passes, ripped from a Bay Area local news broadcast. Thanks to "Danzig" for the link!
Well, a 49-17 loss isn't ever much to crow about, is it? The defense was shredded, early and often, and it was 35-3 in a "haven't we been here before?" kind of way early in the 2nd quarter. But they did compete the rest of the way.
And of course....the kid QB. I know it is hard to analyze much when you can't actually see him, but, from all accounts, Jeff Tuel was THE REAL THING today. Checking out the box score, it's hard to miss:
Well, a 49-17 loss isn't ever much to crow about, is it? The defense was shredded, early and often, and it was 35-3 in a "haven't we been here before?" kind of way early in the 2nd quarter. But they did compete the rest of the way.
And of course....the kid QB. I know it is hard to analyze much when you can't actually see him, but, from all accounts, Jeff Tuel was THE REAL THING today. Checking out the box score, it's hard to miss:
28 completions for 354 yards and a couple of scores and zero interceptions, well, it's remarkable. Then you look at some of the other babies in the program right now? Carl Winston, 8 carries for 51 yards. The first-year WR's in Johnny Forzani and Gino Simone combine for over 200 yards receiving and two TD catches. Yes, I know Forzani is already a junior in terms of eligibility, but he is just a first-year player at WSU. Jared Karstetter added six catches for 66 yards (666, spooky!). So nice to see the kids play well.
It is also the 2nd-best passing day ever from a WSU frosh *(Bledsoe threw for 385 vs. AZ in 1990, WOW). But that is seriously great company. More than Leaf, Gesser, Mark Rypien, Jack Thompson, etc. I heard from Sutra, who had the Cal broadcast on down in the NorCal area, and he said even their announcers were impressed with him. Finally, after the game I heard Wulff on the post-game show sound very impressed with him, claiming he threw some really good balls today and played pretty well, as well as the offensive line giving him a little more time to get things done.
We have a long way to go, obviously. The defense was torn to shreds and Cal did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, especially early on. Given the Louis Bland injury and Hoffman-Ellis still recovering, I guess the writng was on the wall. The big plays were a major issue, the slow starts are still a problem (again, 35-3 early 2nd quarter), and the special teams were poor with big returns allowed and poor kickoffs.
But I don't want to dwell on the bad. Man, a 300+ yard game from our true frosh QB? FINALLY something to believe in! Have a "small win" beer tonight, for there is reason for a mini-celebration. We may have found the program changer in young Mr. Tuel.
It is also the 2nd-best passing day ever from a WSU frosh *(Bledsoe threw for 385 vs. AZ in 1990, WOW). But that is seriously great company. More than Leaf, Gesser, Mark Rypien, Jack Thompson, etc. I heard from Sutra, who had the Cal broadcast on down in the NorCal area, and he said even their announcers were impressed with him. Finally, after the game I heard Wulff on the post-game show sound very impressed with him, claiming he threw some really good balls today and played pretty well, as well as the offensive line giving him a little more time to get things done.
We have a long way to go, obviously. The defense was torn to shreds and Cal did whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted, especially early on. Given the Louis Bland injury and Hoffman-Ellis still recovering, I guess the writng was on the wall. The big plays were a major issue, the slow starts are still a problem (again, 35-3 early 2nd quarter), and the special teams were poor with big returns allowed and poor kickoffs.
But I don't want to dwell on the bad. Man, a 300+ yard game from our true frosh QB? FINALLY something to believe in! Have a "small win" beer tonight, for there is reason for a mini-celebration. We may have found the program changer in young Mr. Tuel.
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