Lobbestael has a first half for the ages

WASHINGTON STATE quarterback Marshall Lobbestael put on a passing clinic in the first half of the Cougars' game with UNLV Saturday, completing 18 of 21 passes for 274 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Lobbestael connected on a head-turning 13 of his first 14 passes.

The fifth-year senior from Oak Harbor tossed scoring aerials that covered 5, 19, 21 and 23 yards. The first two went to Jared Karstetter and the last two to Isiah Barton and Andrei Lintz, respectively. The strike to Barton was especially impressive because the window was so narrow and Lobbestael threaded it perfectly.

"It's almost surgical precision," radio play-by-play announcer Bob Robertson said of Lobbestael's first-half performance that staked the Cougars to a 35-0 lead.

WSU's other TD of the half came on a 48-yard run by freshman back Rickey Galvin just 2 minutes and 17 seconds into the contest.

The Cougars scored on their first five possessions and collected 18 first downs in the half to UNLV's four. The Cougars had a 374 to 96 halftime margin in total yards.

Lobbestael, starting in place of injured Jeff Tuel spread the wealth among his receivers, completing throws to seven different pass catchers. Marquess Wilson and Karstetter led the way with 4 receptions each, Wilson collecting 95 yards and Karsetter 37.

If Lobbestael maintains his 86 percent completion percentage for the entire game he will move into the No. 2 spot in the annals of Cougar history behind Alex Brink, who connected on 87 percent (20 of 23) against Oregon in 2006.

Lobbestael's accuracy is becoming a trend. In last week's win over Idaho State he completed 14 of 19 passes.

TUNE IN TO COUGFAN.COM AFTER THE GAME FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE.