SAN DIEGO — Marquess Wilson would have had the kind of day receivers dream about, but for a couple of flies in the ointment.

One, even as he caught six passes for 236 yards and two long touchdowns, his Washington State football team lost to San Diego State, 42-24, Saturday. And he sprinkled in two dropped passes on his productive day, leaving it less than complete.

"I hate it when I drop the ball," he said. "It's one of my least favorite things. My mindset is catching everything that comes my way."

On WSU's first play, he did just that. The Cougars lined him up in the slot instead of his usual split end spot, Marshall Lobbestael recognized he was being covered by a safety, and lofted a pass from his 20-yard line. Wilson ran under it at the WSU 47, and outsprinted Gabe Lemon to the end zone on an 80-yard play.

"It was a great call by Coach Sturdy," said Lobbestael, referring to offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy.

On his second touchdown early in the third quarter, Wilson took a quick screen pass, darted to the middle of the field and down the right sideline, keeping his feet in bounds and surviving a replay review on a 78-yard play. He got a good block from slot man Isiah Barton, who contributed six catches for 70 yards.

Said Sturdy of Wilson, "He's getting better and better. (But) his best football is still ahead of him."

But on the first play of the fourth quarter, on a third-and-18 play from the WSU 29, Lobbestael threw a nice deep slant pass to Wilson, who dropped it close to first-down yardage. The Aztecs got the ball and marched to the score that put them ahead for good at 28-24.

No Mitz

Logwone Mitz, the senior back from Redmond High, didn't carry in the game, as scatbacks Rickey Galvin and Carl Winston shared 19 rushes.

"It has nothing to do with Logwone at all," said WSU coach Paul Wulff. "Logwone's been trying. These two kids have earned the right to play."

Notes

• In the fourth quarter, the Cougars were whistled for three chop blocks, two by linemen, one by a receiver (one flag was declined). "Pretty tough thing," said Wulff. "That's why you sputter (offensively)." A new rule is in force this year, increasing the frequency of the call.

• Ronnie Hillman, who gained 191 yards on 32 carries, impressed WSU defensive coordinator Chris Ball. "He's really good. This week (on video), I thought he looked a lot like Quizz Rodgers (the former Oregon State back)."

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