Cameron Ward delivers promise after Washington State suffers first loss of season
Cameron Ward shouldered blame for Washington State’s 25-17 loss to UCLA on Saturday, and issued a promise to Cougar fans for the rest of the season.
It wasn’t a good day for Ward or the Cougar offense. A Heisman Trophy dark horse, Ward entered the day with 13 passing touchdowns and no interceptions. He piloted one of the most productive passing games in college football. But against the Bruins, that high-flying offense was grounded.
Ward threw his first two picks of the season. The Wazzu offense managed just 216 yards. Ward was pressured all day.
“We really couldn’t catch a rhythm on offense,” said coach Jake Dickert. “We win as a team, we lose as a team, that’s what hurts. But I know our guys left it all out there and I’m proud of them.”
Ward said his two interceptions were bad decisions. He said they were a reason Wazzu didn’t win the football game.
“I didn’t put the offense in the best situation to be successful today,” he said. “I didn’t help the o-line out at all. I didn’t help the receivers put the ball in their hands to make them make plays.
“You’ll see a different quarterback from this point forward. You’ll see a different offense from this point forward. Going back Monday to watch the film. We’re going to take this one on the chin.”
Ward said he felt the UCLA defense was the best they’ve seen all season. The Bruins entered the day giving up only 3.8 yards per play on the season — the best mark of any team in the country. The front seven, Ward said, is one of the best in the country.
“I mean they just had waves of these guys coming in at you,” Dickert said. “I mean, they’re creatures, and I don’t say that in a bad way. These (guys) are big, long, they can rush the passer, they have aggressive schemes, and they kept us off balance and we couldn’t offset it enough to stay ahead of the chains.
“I just talked to Cameron about this — you can’t get out of every sack. You can’t make every big play.”
Ward said they have to flush the offensive game.
“Especially in a loss like this where you didn’t play to the potential that you set for yourself and your team,” he said. “We’re going to give our defense all the praise. They put us in a situation to win the game. Me not getting that fourth-down conversion, I feel like that was the tale of the game.”