Mike Leach

PULLMAN – Washington State's head football coach seemed downright regretful he only caught the tail end of the fan celebration incident Saturday during the WSU-Stanford game -- but he had a great time on Monday telling the story of a streaker at a football game back during his youth in Cody, Wyoming.



Take it away, Mike Leach. (full video of press conference is available at the bottom of this article).





@Coach_Leach provided everyone with an insightful story of a crazed streaker back during his days in Cody, Wyoming. #Lowhangingfruit pic.twitter.com/w4oK0dWITQ — COUGFANcom (@COUGFANcom) November 7, 2017



On other topics, Leach said Luke Falk played more relaxed against Stanford: a crisp, aggressive game. Falk’s game-winning drive was business as usual, Leach said, and the offense was on the verge of scoring more than its 24 points throughout.



“We doubled up Stanford on yards, we more than doubled them up on first downs, third down conversions and plays ... we figured we were on the verge of scoring not just that time but several times,” Leach said.



Leach couldn't pinpoint a "best" Falk game-winning drive but did point to two memorable moments from 2015: vs. Oregon and UCLA.



The story has been well-chronicled on CF.C but before offering Falk a walk-on role, Leach said he told special teams coach Eric Mele, then in an offensive quality control position, he needed the best walk-on QB in the country. Mele has been a top-notch recruiter for the Cougs during his time in Pullman, both in terms of scholarship players and walk ons.



Falk this season has become the all-time Pac-12 leader in passing yards, completions, attempts and total offense. He's on the verge of adding the all-time conference passing TDs mark: with two more he'll pass USC's Matt Barkeley (116). Leach said it goes to show what hard work can accomplish.



“It says that recruiting is not an exact science ... in Luke’s case a lot of focus and determination can elevate your play, with a great team around you, you can build yourself into some great things,” Leach said.



Over to the Speed D, where Leach said he was pleased at how disruptive the Wazzu defensive front was, all game long, against the Cardinal.



Leach said one of the cardinal sins on D is to render yourself a sitting target in front of an imposing offensive line -- like Stanford’s. Leach said the Cougar defense on Saturday stunted and moved around nicely, allowing WSU defensmen to get through gaps unattended.



Utah started out hot (4-0) before losing four in a row. But last week the Utes looked like they were heating up again with a blowout win over UCLA. Leach says it goes to show how tough the Pac-12 is -- a very closely matched conference with a lot of parity.



Leach said Utah reminds him of Stanford, saying the Utes are very physical on both sides of the ball in the trenches, with a good running back and a quarterback who can run around a little bit.



Leach, however, said Utah doesn't necessarily have one of the biggest home field advantages in the Pac-12 -- Oregon is louder, he said, but the unkind weather conditions usually tied to the Salt Lake City area can present challenges.



Leach said the current targeting rule has no place in college football. Last week, asked if the rule should be adjusted or thrown out altogether, Leach chose the latter.



"It's nearly impossible to officiate ... I don't think it's equitably administered," Leach said on Monday.



Asked about school mascots, Leach called for more sharks around schools with an ocean nearby. He also likes the live tiger LSU showcases. And he pointed to Pittsburg State in Kansas whose mascot is a gorilla.



Leach said there need to be more gorillas in college athletics.







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