After Shane Vereen got suplexed by C.J. Mizell on first down (unnecessary roughness maybe Pac-10 refs?), the California Golden Bears decided to go back to the air against the Washington St. Cougars. Brock Mansion didn’t reward Jeff Tedford’s confidence in him when he threw a fade route short of Vereen. Aire Justin made a one-handed catch on the underthrow to give Washington State great field position.
After Jeff Tuel evaded pressure and found Isaiah Barton on a tight window between Chris Conte and Darian Hagan, the Cougar drive stalled because of two false start penalties and a crucial Hagan breakup of a Tuel throw to Marques Wilson. Andrew Furney continued to be money from deep, nailing a 48 yard field goal and cut the Cal lead to 1.
After some personal foul penalties on the ensuing kickoff return that pinned Cal deep, Shane Vereen and Isi Sofele picked up 27 yards and two first downs. The drive stalled when Sofele was stood up on 2nd down and Mansion couldn’t throw downfield successfully. A good punt by Bryan Anger and good coverage by the Cal special teams placed the Cougars inside their own 20 early in the fourth quarter.