A disruptive environment as well as a quick and talented defense.
Sounds much like Autzen Stadium and the Oregon Ducks, right?
Not so fast my friend, as Lee Corso would say on ESPN’s College Gameday.
Instead, we’re talking about the Washington State Cougars and Martin Stadium in Pullman.
It may hold just under 33,000 people and is the smallest stadium in the Pac-12 (not counting the Reser Stadium remodel in Corvallis), but that doesn’t mean it’s quiet.
Oregon senior offensive lineman Alex Forsyth says otherwise.
“I told the guys it may be deceiving because the stadium doesn’t hold a whole lot, but it’s the loudest place I’ve ever been,” he said.
“With fans in there, I know they’re going to be loud and we just have to be locked in 100 percent.”
So far, the Cougars are giving their fans plenty to cheer about as they are 3-0 and have a win at Wisconsin under their belt.
Washington State is winning differently than the country is used to seeing.
The Cougars have been known for their wide-open offense and ability to put a lot of points on the board. But now, the Cougars defense is chiming in and has been a tremendous asset to their wins.
Forsyth says if last year was any indication, Oregon better be ready for any and everything WSU has up its sleeve.
“I’m expecting a lot of different stuff because last year we were expecting one game plan and they threw something completely different at us,” Forsyth said on Tuesday.
“They have a lot of new faces, but those guys are really talented and play well in their scheme.”
One of those new faces is a player any Pac-12 team would love to have on their roster in Nevada transfer linebacker Daiyan Henley. Henley leads the Cougars with 30 tackles, 7.5 for loss and he already has four sacks through three games.
“You can tell he’s really fast on film” explained Forsyth when asked about Henley..
“His play speed is really impressive. He just has a nose for the ball. They’re one of the few teams on film that you see all 11 guys sprint to the ball. They’ve always been that way since I’ve been in college. It’ll be a really good challenge.”
The Ducks might be one of a handful of teams that can handle what the Cougars are about to throw at them, both defensively but especially on the offensive side of the ball, because of their experienced line play and a senior quarterback.
“I think it’s important for us to play in those games and get uncomfortable as a team, see we’re at and see what guys we have who are willing to compete,” said Oregon QB Bo Nix on Tuesday.
“I think it will present a really good challenge for our team and it’ll be up to us to respond to it.”
TUESDAY BRIEFINGS; OREGON CENTER ALEX FORSYTH TALKS WSU