PULLMAN — Only two factors appear capable of keeping Washington State receiver Marquess Wilson from putting the Pac-12 career-receiving yardage out of sight: The possibility that he leaves a year early for the NFL, or injuries.

Wilson entered the Cougars' game Saturday night against California with 2,947 yards, 17th on a Pac-12 career list headed by Troy Walters, the diminutive former Stanford receiver (1996-99), who has 4,047 yards.

On Saturday, Wilson went over 3,000 yards, catching four passes for 87 yards in the first half of the Cougars' 31-17 loss to California. But Wilson left the game with a possible concussion after a hit by the Bears' Avery Sebastian.

On a third-and-goal play from the 6-yard line, Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel threw a pass intended for Wilson in the end zone. Sebastian was penalized for a personal foul on the helmet-to-helmet hit. Wilson came out of the game and did not return.

Most observers believe Wilson needs a fourth college year, in particular to work on building up a naturally slender frame. Wilson, 6 feet 4 and 185 pounds, has also had an inconsistent first half of the season, with several dropped passes.

Back to Auburn

Another trip to Auburn highlights WSU's 2013 schedule. The Cougars went there to start the 2006 season, the next-to-last year of the Bill Doba regime, and lost 40-14.

WSU is also scheduled to host Brigham Young and Idaho. Dates for the games aren't official yet, pending the release of the Pac-12 schedule for conference games.

Scoreboard out

WSU's main scoreboard at the west end of Martin Stadium wasn't functional at the start of the game. The video board on that end was working, but the other functions — including the clock and down-and-distance — weren't. The only indicator of the game clock was on an auxiliary scoreboard in the southeast corner of the stadium.

A WSU spokesman said the scoreboard was OK at a routine check Friday.

Long way home

Travis Long, the WSU senior, has had a smooth transition to defensive coordinator Mike Breske's 3-4 defense at "Buck" linebacker. Long had 7 ½ sacks entering the game, tied with San Jose State's Travis Johnson for most in the nation.

On a per-game basis, Western Kentucky's Quanterus Smith led the nation before Saturday's games, with 1.63.

Zeches returns

Jim Zeches, a scout for the Washington Redskins, was on hand for the game. He was an assistant, coaching linebackers for Mike Price's WSU staffs in the 1990s.

Bud Withers: 206-464-8281 or bwithers@seattletimes.com