Leach: "Luke's starting" against Oregon State|Wash St Hot Topics|Team BattleGround|College BattleGround

Prior to his injury in the second half against the Boise State Broncos, Luke Falk struggled mightily to move the offense at all. WSU’s lone touchdown in the first half came on a defensive scoop and score from Robert Taylor and a perfectly healthy Falk was briefly benched for Tyler Hilinski in the 3rd quarter. After Falk’s injury, he would not see the field again as the redshirt sophomore helped engineer WSU’s first 21-point fourth quarter comeback since 1984.

Hilinski certainly seemed to command the offense better Saturday, finishing 25-for-33 with 240 yards passing, three touchdowns and a pick. Falk struggled mightily, going 24-for-34 for 193 yards, 59 coming on a pass to Renard Bell near the end of the first half.

So there was at least some question as to who would be under center against the Oregon State Beavers this Saturday. Head coach Mike Leach put an end to any speculation early in the week.

Falk has struggled not just this year, but stretching back to the final three games of 2016 as well. The good news is the Oregon State Beavers are likely just what the doctor ordered for Falk to get himself right mentally and physically. Here’s his career line against the Beavs:

126 for 157, 1,293 yards, 16 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

That’s … quite good. OSU is a team Falk has feasted on and he’ll need to do it again this Saturday if for no other reason than to get a little confidence back in himself.