California Golden Bears vs Washington State Cougars Box Score on Nov 12, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Nov 13, 2016

Gabe Marks broke the Pac-12 career receiving record and No. 23 Washington State improved to 7-0 in the Pac-12 for the first time with its 56-21 victory over California on Saturday in Pullman, Wash.

Marks, who spent much of the first half in concussion protocol, finished with seven receptions for 87 yards and three touchdowns. His 295 career receptions tops the previous conference record of 294 set by Colorado's Nelson Spruce from 2012-15.

Washington State (8-2), which has won eight straight, built its lead to 56-21 on the play that earned Marks the record with 7:11 left in the game. Marks made a diving catch in the end zone on a 7-yard pass from Luke Falk for the historic achievement.

The Cougars are alone in first place in the Pac-12 North after No. 4 Washington (9-1, 6-1) lost earlier in the day against USC.

Falk finished with 425 yards passing and five touchdowns while completing 36 of 50 pass attempts.

Washington State receiver River Cracraft had nine catches for 87 yards before leaving the game in the third quarter with a left knee injury. He reportedly will undergo an MRI on the knee Sunday.

California (4-6, 2-5) never led and could not get closer than two touchdowns in the second half. Its defense yielded 654 yards to the Cougars.

The Golden Bears gained 525 yards behind the passing of Davis Webb, who completed 34 of 53 pass attempts for 425 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

Both offenses lived up to their "Air Raid" nickname in the first half, although Washington State capitalized more on its opportunities. The Cougars started to roll with a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown by Kaleb Fossum after Washington State's defense forced Cal to punt on its first possession.

A 2-yard touchdown run by Gerard Wicks capped a 10-play, 70-yard drive that increased the lead to 14-0 with 3:10 left in the first quarter.

Cal answered with an 8-yard touchdown pass by Davis Webb to Jordan Veasy with 14:04 left in the first half.

Webb had 241 yards passing in the first half while completing 18 of 27 pass attempts. His top receiving target, Chad Hansen, had nine catches for 128 yards by halftime.

Falk completed two touchdown passes to Cracraft (22 and 5 yards) in the second quarter to give the Cougars a 28-7 lead at halftime. Cracraft had seven catches for 74 yards in the first half.

NOTES: Washington State is a Pac-12-best 13-2 over its last 15 conference games dating back to last season. ... Cal had its five-game winning streak snapped in Pullman and had won 10 of the previous 11 overall meetings.