On WSU’s eighth offensive drive of the night, Falk connected with Gerard Wicks on a check-down throw that gave him career completion 1,188, surpassing the record set by former Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion from 2011 to 2014.
PULLMAN — Washington State quarterback Luke Falk entered Friday night’s big game against No. 5 USC needing 11 completions to surpass former Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion’s Pac-12 career record of 1,187.
Falk tied the record in the second quarter on a 15-yard third-down completion to Tavares Martin Jr., but had to wait for the next offensive series to break it.
Set the record he did, though. On WSU’s eighth offensive drive of the night, Falk connected with Gerard Wicks on a check-down throw that gave him career completion 1,188, beating the record set by Mannion from 2011 to 2014.
Falk went into halftime of a 17-17 tie having completed 16 of 27 passes for 184 yards, and with 1,193 career pass completions. He finished the 30-27 victory over USC with 34 completions (giving him 1,211 for his career) from 51 attempts for 340 yards.
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With his fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Jamal Morrow. Falk also tied former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota for second place on the Pac-12’s career TD pass list with 105.
Scouts galore
Twenty-four scouts from 15 NFL teams and two CFL teams (Edmonton and B.C.) were credentialed for Friday night’s game.
The New York Jets had three people at the game, including general manager Mike Maccagnan. With 38-year-old Josh McCown starting for them this season, the Jets (1-2) are in the market for a quarterback.
The Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings each sent two representatives to Friday’s game.
Former Cougars come back
The game matching two undefeated Top 25 teams brought a lot of former Cougar football players back to Pullman. Linebacker Jeremiah Allison, wide receiver Dom Williams and wide receiver Brandon Gibson all returned to Pullman for the game. Former WSU track and football star Jeshua Anderson also attended.
USC hurting on offensive line
USC started the game without its starting left tackle, Toa Lobendahn, who did not make the trip due to a staph infection. Sophomore Clayton Johnston started in Lobendahn’s place.
By halftime, the Trojans were missing two more starting linemen. Right tackle Chuma Edoga appeared to suffer a leg injury in the first quarter and was replaced by freshman Andrew Voorhees.
Two drives later, right guard Viane Talamaivao came limping off the field. That forced USC to move Johnston from left to right tackle, and Voorhees to right guard.
Freshman Austin Jackson then came into the game at left tackle.
WSU loses Dotson
Two games after losing middle linebacker Peyton Pelluer to a season-ending foot injury, misfortune struck the Cougars at the same position.
Isaac Dotson, who moved from will linebacker to middle linebacker to fill in for Pelluer, suffered some sort of leg injury on USC’s second offensive drive.
Dotson limped off the field and was taken to WSU’s medical tent on the sideline. He was examined, then emerged from the tent and was seen riding a stationary bike. At some point, Dotson was taken back to the locker room for a more extensive examination, but he later re-emerged and spent the rest of the first half on the stationary bike.
With Dotson out, senior Nate DeRider filled his position at middle linebacker. Jahad Woods started his second straight game at will linebacker, and stayed in that role.
Dillon Sherman also got some reps at will linebacker to spell Woods.