Washington State emerged victorious in a back-and-forth thriller against Iowa State. The Cougars defeated the Cyclones 28-26 to win the 2018 Valero Alamo Bowl. DraftNasty’s Troy Jefferson gives his impressions in this in-game report:
16 Gardner Minshew (6’2 220) Washington State QB-Senior
The East Carolina transfer put together a season that ended with him winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award, which is given to the nation’s top senior quarterback. Minshew impressed in the Valero Alamo Bowl with his short compact delivery and his elusiveness in the pocket. Iowa State opted to rush just three defensive linemen for the better part of the game and he took his time with patient reads. When he is at his best, Minshew can power off his back foot and drive the ball in the short and intermediate passing game. At the next level, the Cougars quarterback will have to answer questions about his deep ball accuracy and ability to run a less quarterback-friendly offense than head coach Mike Leach’s air raid offense. The former ECU Pirate finished his senior season with 4,779 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
4 Marcus Strong (5’9 185) Washington State CB-Junior
Marcus Strong showed his anticipation and ball skills when he jumped a slant in the first quarter and ran the interception in for a touchdown. The junior cornerback, however, was called for a taunting penalty and had his touchdown negated. For the game, Strong finished with seven tackles, one sack and one interception. He impressed this season -and against Iowa State- with his ability to compete and play through the whistle. Despite giving up nine inches against Iowa State receiver Hakeem Butler, Strong got physical and made life hard on the taller opponent. The lack of size will concern scouts, but the Cougars cornerback has the right mentality to play on the outside in the NFL.
18 Hakeem Butler (6’6 225) Iowa State WR-Junior
Butler is physical and not afraid to put his hands on the opposing cornerback to create room in his routes. He also showed the skills to seal the edge during running plays. Despite his height, Butler can still get low and get in-and-out of his breaks (see his comeback routes during the first half). The junior had a productive season, posting 60 catches for 1,318 yards and nine touchdowns. Against Washington State, he caught nine passes for 192 yards. This included an acrobatic one-handed catch over the middle of the field.
32 David Montgomery (5’11 216) Iowa State RB-Junior
David Montgomery has the tools to be an every down back at the next level. He showed soft hands in the receiving game in the Valero Alamo Bowl (4 catches for 55 yards). And like he did all season long, he refused to go down on first contact. Against Washington State, he ran for 124 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. On the season, the Cincinnati native rushed for 1,216 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Brown on a fade route and then brought his hands through Brown’s hands to knock the ball away at the last second. Boyd is also a willing tackler on the outside. Look for a team, who is looking for man-to-man corners to target Boyd in this year’s draft.
ngness to extend his body and leave himself susceptible to shots to his ribs. The sophomore receiver can make big plays as a receiving option on screens or he can make plays for others as a lead blocker on bubble screens to other receivers like he did in the first half against Texas. Lamb caught a touchdown over the middle to bring the Sooners within one point of the Longhorns in the second quarter. Despite his fumble, Lamb was productive, finishing with six catches for 167 yards and a touchdown.
f his quick feet and his ability to accelerate and de-celerate to relieve himself of tight coverage. For the season, the sophomore has caught 39 passes for 541 yards and seven touchdowns. The sophomore is also a threat as a punt returner (two career punt return touchdowns and averages 9 yards a return).
Browning has somewhat of a herky-jerky delivery and throws the ball with little arch. However, Browning , who grew up just two hours away from San Francisco, could be beneficial in an offense like the 49ers for example, who move the pocket and value accuracy. The Folsom, California native has a slight frame but he is an experienced leader with four years of experience behind center. Look for Browning to be drafted in the later rounds and start his career as a backup.
Mustipher was able to move Heflin out of the way with ease, paving the way for the team’s second rushing touchdown of the night. The Irish rank in the top third in the nation in passing yards, rushing yards and points per game and Mustipher’s expertise along the line is a huge reason why.
Wimbush was pulled after tallying four interceptions and one touchdown in his three starts to begin the year. Since being named the starter, Book has thrown 13 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 76-percent of his passes. Book’s accuracy is on par with some of the best in college football, and his best throws against Navy came on a pair of back-shoulder throws to senior wide receiver Miles Boykin (6’4 228), which both resulted in touchdowns. Book has also rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns. The California native’s mobility to evade the rush and his pinpoint accuracy should be enough continue to carry the Fighting Irish offense.
