Cal Football: Evan Weaver Discusses Past Success Against Washington State

Cal will try to battle its way out of a four-game losing streak when it hosts Washington State on Saturday, and one aspect on the Bears’ side is their recent success against the Cougars.

Since Justin Wilcox became Cal’s head coach, the Bears’ defense has been able to limit the high-scoring, pass-heavy offense that Mike Leach has used so successfully against virtually everyone else.

Cal upset the Cougars 37-3 in Wilcox’s first season in 2017 when Washington State was 6-0 and ranked No. 8. It was the only time all season WSU failed to score at least two touchdowns.

Last year, Cal lost 19-13 to 10th-ranked Washington State when the Cougars, behind Gardner Minshew, scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute remining. The Cougars led the Pac-12 in scoring that season, averaging 37.5 points per game.

Cal linebacker Evan Weaver, who leads the nation in tackles at 15.9 per game, did not specify any reason Cal has been able to limit the Cougars.

“I think it’s just preparation,” he said. “Just being able to focus all week and be ready to get it done and do what we have to do. That’s what we’ve done in the past few years.”

The Cougars (4-4, 1-4 Pac-12) lead the Pac-12 and are eighth nationally in scoring this season, averaging 41.8 points per game. Three times they have scored more than 50 points.

As usual WSU ranks first in the nation in passing offense, and it’s not even close. The Cougars average 436.4 yards through the air per game, while LSU, which is second in that category, amasses an average of 377.6 yards in passing offense.