Washington State Rallies for 21-17 Win

Washington State’s defense picked up where it left off last season.

The Cougars, who led the nation in take-aways (48), came up with two interceptions and blocked a punt in the fourth quarter, and Josh Swogger threw for three touchdowns in a 21-17 victory over New Mexico on Friday night in Albuquerque.

It was a rousing start for a defensive unit that lost nine starters and has 12 freshmen and sophomores on its two-deep roster.

“We’ve got a long way to go, but I think we got decent protection from all the freshmen,” Washington State Coach Bill Doba said.

Swogger threw scoring passes of 13 yards to Trandon Harvey and four yards to Troy Bienemann in the fourth quarter to erase a 17-7 New Mexico lead.

The first score finished a 14-play, 82-yard drive in which Swogger completed eight passes, including one on a fourth-and-nine play to Jason Hall, advancing the ball to the New Mexico 11. Two plays later, Swogger found Harvey with 9:54 left.

The Cougar defense forced New Mexico to punt, and cornerback Omowale Dada broke through for the block. Teammate Tyron Brackenridge recovered and went out of bounds at the New Mexico four. On the next play, Swogger threw to Bienemann, who made a one-handed catch at the back of the end zone.

Washington State’s comeback negated a sterling one-two punch by New Mexico halfback DonTrell Moore and receiver Hank Baskett. Moore scored on a 61-yard run and rushed for 167 yards in 24 carries, the most by a running back against Washington State since former Ohio State standout Maurice Clarett totaled 230 yards in 2002.

Baskett caught nine passes for 165 yards.

New Mexico finished with 415 total yards to Washington State’s 271.

New Mexico’s losing streak against Pacific 10 Conference teams reached eight games. The Lobos’ last victory against a Pac-10 team was in 1979.

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Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson signed a new contract on the eve of the Commodores’ opener in Nashville against South Carolina.

Johnson is 4-20 with one Southeastern Conference victory in two seasons at Vanderbilt. The Commodores have not had a winning season since 1982 but have 21 returning starters.

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Brent Schaeffer will become the first true freshman to start at quarterback in an opener for Tennessee when the No. 14 Volunteers play host to Nevada Las Vegas on Sunday.

Tennessee also announced that junior receiver James Banks will miss the season because of a right knee injury.

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Washington’s Casey Paus, the brother of former UCLA quarterback Cory Paus, was named the starting quarterback for the Huskies’ opener Sunday against Fresno State. Paus won the job over the more mobile Isaiah Stanback.

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Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz announced that fullback A.J. Johnson has been suspended. Johnson reportedly was involved in an altercation early Friday morning. The Hawkeyes open today against Kent State.