WSU Quarterback Jaxon Potter displays potential, yet the offense line requires swift enhancement
In a closely contested match against Idaho, Washington State's offensive line faced challenges that hindered the team's running game and contributed to their narrow defeat.
Jimmy Rogers, the new head coach of Washington State, had selected third-year sophomore Jaxon Potter as the starting quarterback. Potter showed promise in his first college start, completing 23 out of 30 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. However, the offensive line struggled to provide adequate run-blocking, a problem that became evident in the team's running game statistics. Washington State managed only 3 yards on 22 carries, a disappointing performance for an offense that seemed intent on going run-first.
On a third-and-2 in the first frame, power back Vorhees had a key 11-yard scamper for Washington State. Yet, such successes were few and far between. Titus Ringor, a lineman for Idaho, slipped by Johnny Lester, a new left guard for Washington State, without much of a move on a play where Vorhees was turned away.
The offensive line coaches for the Washington State Cougars, Taylor Lucas and Mike Iupati, will have their work cut out for them as the games don't get any easier for the team's offensive line moving forward.
In the third quarter, Julian Dugger, a transfer, replaced Potter due to the team's offensive struggles and Potter's less-than-perfect performance. Despite Dugger's entry, the offensive line continued to struggle, and on a second-and-forever situation, Christian Hilborn, a right tackle for Washington State, turned in the group's worst run-blocking grade.
The offensive line did show some improvement in pass protection, giving Potter ample time in the pocket. Potter looked excellent on WSU's first scoring drive of the game when they let him pass it. However, the team's inability to establish a consistent running game proved costly, particularly in the fourth quarter when Angel Johnson, a running back for Washington State, fumbled the ball, allowing Idaho to tie the game.
As the Cougars look ahead to their next games, they will need to become more credible run-blockers to keep their passing strength alive. The team's offensive line will be under pressure to improve, and with the guidance of coaches Lucas and Iupati, they will aim to do just that.
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