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Washington State head coach Mike Leach hasn't had any easy quarterback decisions this season. Until this week. After completing 43 of 60 passes for 401 yards against Stanford, Jeff Tuel has installed himself as the Cougar quarterback. Despite losing to the Cardinal 24-17, the Cougars outplayed the Cardinal on offense, gaining 25 first downs to Stanford's twelve.
Tuel, a senior from Fresno, CA, has started five of the Cougars' eight games this season, with sophomore Connor Halliday starting the other three. Despite entering the season as the starter, Tuel's last two outings have been his most impressive. In losses to Cal and the aforementioned Stanford, Tuel has thrown for a combined 721 yards and four touchdowns with just one interception.
This Saturday, Washington State travels to Utah to face a Utes team that has won just one conference game this season. But that's one more than the Cougars have won, and Tuel and company need a win to keep their bowl hopes alive.