MacIntyre wary of WSU QB's ability to make plays from the pocket
When Mike MacIntyre analyzes video of Washington State quarterback Luke Falk, he sees many of the same attributes as former Colorado standout Sefo Liufau.
Not necessarily in the way they play the game as their styles are noticeably different since Falk is a highly accurate pure pocket passer (one reason NFL teams are extremely interested in him) while Liufau was viewed as a dangerous dual threat quarterback during his Buffs career.
However, MacIntyre says they are very similar in the way they skillfully lead their teams and manage the offense.
“Sefo had an ability to see things and do things,” MacIntyre said Tuesday during his weekly press conference. “He groomed into the system. Of course, we did it a little different He had runs and we played to his strengths. But it was similar in a lot of ways.”
Less than a week ago, Falk was rising rapidly on many Heisman Trophy contender lists. But that was before he threw five interceptions and was sacked nine times in last Friday’s frustrating 7-3 loss to California in which little went right for the listless WSU offense. Overall, though, Falk is enjoying a sensational senior season and MacIntyre knows he wants nothing more than to get back on track Saturday night at Martin Stadium.
“He can make every throw and he reads things,” MacIntyre said. “He’s not this guy, but he reminds me a little of Tom Brady in the way he manages (the offense), the way he gets the ball out of his hand, the way he sees the blitzes coming, how he sits there (in the pocket) and moves and makes throws.”
Considering WSU is 6-1 with victories over USC and Oregon, MacIntyre discounts the Cougars’ flat performance in last Friday’s loss in Berkeley as “a weird game.”
“They moved the ball, they did some things and played pretty good on defense,” MacIntyre said. “It just got away from them. Anytime you have seven turnovers (it’s tough to win). Cal caused a few of those, but Washington State caused a few themselves. Balls were bouncing in the air and tipping off people. They will definitely come out and play hard. Sometimes bad bounces happen. Maybe they’ll have another week of bad bounces. That would be good.”
Now in his third year as WSU’s full-time starting quarterback, Falk needs just 422 yards to break former Oregon State QB Sean Mannion’s all-time record of 13,600 passing yards. In 38 career appearances, Falk has thrown for 13,179 yards and completed 69.2 percent of his throws with 108 TD passes (2nd most in NCAA history).
This season, Falk has completed 70.8 percent of his passes (216-305) for 2,286 yards and 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions (5 at Cal; Falk threw just 2 INT in first 6 games).
While his physical skills are impressive, Falk’s biggest strength might be his unique ability to audible at the line of scrimmage and get the Cougs into a better play based on the defensive formation.
“It’s amazing how much stuff he checks when you actually watch the tape over and over,” MacIntyre said. “He’s checking every single play, basically. He’s done a great job. They have an excellent team. It’s fun watching them on tape. I just hope it’s not fun watching them on Saturday.”
Because Falk is so good at checking at the line of scrimmage, MacIntyre expects a chess match between the WSU quarterback and the Buffs defense. Being in the right place will be critical.
“Our guys have to know right where to be and understand that he will go to the second or third option if the first option isn’t open,” MacIntyre said.
Falk, a Logan, Utah native, is the nation’s active leader in career passing yards, passing touchdowns, total offense, third in completion percentage (70.8) and his 346.8 career passing yards per game average is currently fifth-best in NCAA FBS history.
Best way to contain Falk? Take a page out of Cal’s defensive playbook and pressure him. Not only did the Golden Bears have nine sacks they also collected two quarterback hurries and 12 tackles for loss.
“It’s important to create some hurries on him,” MacIntyre said. “We have to hit him a little bit too. Their offensive line is huge. He is usually able to get rid of it when he wants to. We definitely have to get to him, no doubt.”
MacIntyre maintains a major component of Falk’s success is the incredible chemistry between him and Leach.
“(Leach) has a connection with his quarterback,” MacIntyre said. “He knows exactly what he wants to do. That’s where I see the genius in it. (Falk) is able to be an extension of (Leach). It’s uncanny with how they get into some plays.”
PAC-12 WEEK 8 SCHEDULE (Oct. 21)
Arizona State at Utah, 1:30 p.m. (FS1)
Oregon at UCLA, 2 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
USC at Notre Dame, 5:30 p.m. (NBC)
Arizona at California, 6 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
Colorado at Washington State, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)
(All Times Mountain)
PAC-12 SOUTH STANDINGS:
USC 4-1 (6-1)
Arizona 2-1 (4-2)
Arizona State 2-1 (3-3)
Utah 1-2 (4-2)
UCLA 1-2 (3-3)
Colorado 1-3 (4-3)
