Washington State: 3 school records that could fall in 2012

With Mike Leach on the Washington State sideline, a lot offensive records could fall this season.

By John Breech

Aug 21, 2012 at 4:16 pm ET • 2 min read

Is it far-fetched to think that every non-rushing offensive record in the Washington State record book will go down this year? Probably. But expect a lot records to fall in Mike Leach’s first season at WSU.

Single-season passing yards
Record holder: 3,968, QB Ryan Leaf (1997)
Record chaser: QB Jeff Tuel

Tuel’s single-season, career-high came in 2010 when he threw for 2,780 yards. In fact, Tuel hasn’t thrown for 3,968 yards in his WSU career (3,845). So why think that Tuel can top Leaf’s 15-year-old single-season passing record. Two words: Mike Leach. Two other words: Air Raid. Two more words: Marquess Wilson. If you don’t know who Wilson is, he’s an under-the-radar WR that could be a first-team All-American this season. As for the Leach factor, four of Leach’s first five QBs at Texas Tech topped Leaf’s total in their first year as a starter. Tuel likes running Leach’s offense and there’s no reason to think he can’t reach 4,000 yards this season.

Single-season receptions
Record holder: 82 (1,388), WR Marquess Wilson (2011)
Record chaser: Wilson

Yes, you read that correctly, Marquess Wilson is chasing his own record. Wilson, who had a solid season as a true freshman in 2010, had a breakout year in 2011. He caught four or more passes in all 12 games and caught seven or more passes in six of WSU’s 13 games. Wilson’s season was highlighted by an 11-catch game against Oregon. If Wilson was able to catch 82 passes last year, there’s no telling how many he can catch in a Mike Leach offense, where a 100 isn’t out of the question.

Career receiving yards
Record holder: 2,756 yards, WR Brandon Gibson (2005-08)
Record chaser: WR Marquess Wilson

Wilson won’t only be breaking single-season records in 2012, he could also be breaking career marks. Although the junior only has played two full seasons, he’s on track to crush Gibson’s career receiving yards record this season. Wilson needs 363 yards to set the record, something he could accomplish in just two games. Wilson went for more than 200 yards receiving in two games last season, including a career-high 236 against San Diego State. Wilson is also a threat to break the single-game receiving yards record of 255. The record, set by Deron Pointer, has stood since 1993.

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