**Washington State Coach Reflects on Narrow Defeat to Oregon State**

CORVALLIS - Following Washington State's close 41-38 loss to Oregon State at Reser Stadium, head coach Jake Dickert shared his thoughts and reflections on the game.

"Our players gave it their all," Dickert stated, emphasizing his pride in their efforts during the week of practice and their resilience throughout the game. He acknowledged that the contest was evenly matched, with Oregon State managing to make one critical play more than Washington State as the game reached its climax.

Discussing the final drives of the game, Dickert expressed confidence in his team's ability to make a late-game push. He mentioned a crucial fumble by Washington State and ensuing field goal drive by Oregon State, insisting that while one play does not determine the outcome of a game, issues with discipline and execution early on ultimately hurt their chances.

Addressing the defensive performance, Dickert noted that Oregon State's success on fourth downs and overall playmaking created difficulties. He acknowledged their strong run defense but cited a lack of timely stops and playmaking in crucial moments. Oregon State’s passing game, which tallied 313 yards, also proved challenging, with an effective mix of bootleg and shot plays keeping Washington State's defense off balance.

Looking ahead, Dickert spoke about the importance of focusing on their senior players, highlighting the upcoming Senior Week and the goal of maintaining an undefeated home record. He emphasized that the team's frustrations stem from recent results and pointed out that giving up 35 points in back-to-back games is unsustainable for continued success.

Commenting on the introduction of Oregon State's alternate quarterback, Johnson, Dickert admitted that his team struggled to adjust to the speed option play. Despite acknowledging the missed alignments and execution errors, he maintained that the belief within his team remains strong.

In conclusion, Dickert reflected on the season's earlier close victories, noting the fortunate bounces and key plays that had previously gone their way. He underscored the necessity of responding as a team and the ongoing determination to improve and capitalize on their potential in upcoming games against equally motivated opponents.