The Pac-10 : Washington St. Rallies Past California, 20-19

Washington State rallied from a 19-0 deficit with 10:14 to play and pulled out a 20-19 victory over California in a Pacific 10 Conference game before 30,125 Saturday at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash.

Quarterback Mark Rypien fumbled twice and threw an interception as the explosive Cougar offense sputtered early. But Rypien, a first-team all-conference selection last season, threw two touchdown passes, the last with 41 seconds left.

“I’m not sure many quarterbacks in the country can do any better than he can under that kind of pressure again and again,” said Washington State Coach Jim Walden, whose team evened its Pac-10 record at 1-1.

Rypien led three scoring drives, throwing touchdown passes of 16 yards to wide receiver Kitrick Taylor and six yards to wide receiver Rick Chase, sandwiched around a seven-yard scoring run by running back Rueben Mayes.

“This was a very, very tough loss for us,” Cal Coach Joe Kapp said. “Washington State has a lot of firepower, and they finally put it together. We played hard, just needed a little more. We were unable to pressure the quarterback.”

Cal (1-1 overall and 0-1 in the Pac-10) built its lead behind fullback Ed Barbero, who rushed for 120 yards and one touchdown, and quarterback Kevin Brown, who threw two scoring passes in the second quarter.

Barbero blasted over from one yard out with 10:14 remaining in the game, fumbling as he hit the goal line but recovering in the end zone. That gave Cal a 19-0 lead.

The Cougars then began their comeback. Rypien completed 18 of 30 passes for 220 yards. More than 80% of his passing yards came on the late touchdown drives.

Brown threw touchdown passes of seven yards to tight end Don Noble and four yards to wide receiver Keith Cockett, both in the second quarter.

Fullback Kerry Porter rushed for 101 yards on 21 carries. Mayes had 78 yards on 18 attempts.

Arizona 23, Toledo 10--Arizona had three interceptions, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery on a kickoff return as the Wildcats won their season opener at Tucson.

Fullback Charles Webb scored two touchdowns, and Max Zendejas kicked three field goals for Arizona. Ten of the Wildcats’ points were set up by the defense as it blocked one of Pete Cochran’s punts and later tackled Cochran at the Toledo one-yard line.

Arizona safety Allan Durden also intercepted two first-half passes by Rocket quarterback A.J. Sager. Safety Chuck Cecil added another interception in the third quarter.

Zendejas kicked field goals of 22, 23 and 40 yards.

Oregon State 43, Idaho 28--Freshman quarterback Erik Wilhelm threw four touchdown passes to flanker Reggie Bynum, leading the Beavers State past the Vandals in a nonconference game at Corvallis, Ore.

Wilhelm threw Bynum scoring passes of 8, 22, 36 and 38 yards. Bynum broke the Oregon State record for the most touchdown receptions in a game and tied a school record for career touchdowns.