WSU Notebook | Road not kind to Cougars' QB

PASADENA, Calif. — Washington State quarterback Marshall Lobbestael gave himself a poor grade in his first road start.

"I wasn't consistent enough," Lobbestael, a freshman, said. "We didn't capitalize when we needed to. Everyone around me was trying to help, but I need to do my job.

Cougars coach Paul Wulff said injuries on the offensive line didn't help. Overall, Wulff said Lobbestael played well, but needs to get better on third downs.

"We were moving the ball on first and second down," Wulff said.

"We played better, but I was a big part in our lack of production," Lobbestael said.

Rose Bowl success

Washington State has been as comfortable as any visiting team playing at the Rose Bowl lately. The Cougars are the only team to beat the Bruins twice at the Rose Bowl since 2004.

Until Saturday night's 28-3 win, the Bruins hadn't defeated the Cougars at home since 1998, when UCLA recorded a 49-17 victory. The Cougars had won six of the last seven entering Saturday night's contest, including the last three at the Rose Bowl.

UCLA's only victory in that stretch was a 44-41 overtime win in Pullman after WSU blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead.

Catching a record

Brandon Gibson's consecutive games with a catch streak reached 29 games on a 15-yard reception on the Cougars' first offensive play from scrimmage.

Gibson's streak is the 14th longest in the nation and tied for first in the Pac-10.

Gibson came into the game needing 40 receptions to tie Michael Bumpus for the most catches by a Cougar with 195.

Gibson entered trailing Jason Hill's single-season WSU record for receiving yards by 223 yards. Hill holds the mark at 2,704.

Hill also holds the Cougars record for touchdown receptions in a career with 32. Gibson had 17 before facing UCLA.