PULLMAN, Wash. – A banged-up Cal football team fought to stick with No. 23 Washington State but five touchdown passes from quarterback Luke Falk carried the Cougars and the Bears fell 56-21 at Martin Stadium.

Davis Webb posted another night of big numbers as he completed 34 of 53 passes for 425 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Receiver Chad Hansen enjoyed yet another standout game, hauling in 11 passes for 139 yards while freshman Demetris Robertson was also a factor for the Bears with six catches, a career-high 141 yards and a touchdown. Washington State won the yardage battle 654-525 behind 373 passing yards from Falk.

Washington State (8-2, 7-0 Pac-12) took the lead right away Saturday to gain the early momentum. After a three-and-out forced Cal (4-6, 2-5) to punt on its first possession, Kaleb Fossum broke free for a 75-yard return to give the Cougars the 7-0 lead without running an offensive play.

Cal's defense made its own mark early with Khari Vanderbilt snatching a Falk pass to end a streak of 171 straight passes without an interception by the Cougars' quarterback. But, after Cal stalled on offense again, Washington State drove 70 yards in 10 plays and took a 14-0 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run by Gerard Wicks.

The Bears showed off their big-play ability to draw closer as Webb turned a 3rd and 23 into a 59-yard strike to Robertson. That left Cal inside the Washington State 10-yard line and two plays later Webb found Jordan Veasy over the middle for an 8-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 in the second quarter.

Washington State closed the half with a pair of touchdown passes from Falk to River Cracraft. A 22-yard score followed by a 5-yard trip to paydirt left the Cougars up 28-7 at halftime. Cal had its own opportunities to answer but a missed field goal and an interception in the end zone instead left the Bears without points.

The Cougars added to their lead on the first drive of the third quarter with Falk and Cracraft connecting again for a 9-yard touchdown. A 19-yard pass from Webb to Bug Rivera near the end of the quarter and a 57-yard strike from Webb to Robertson in the fourth wrapped up the scoring for the Bears.

Cal returns to Berkeley on Nov. 19 when Stanford visits for the 119th edition of the Big Game. Kickoff time for the game has not yet been announced. The Bears wrap up the regular season one week later at home against UCLA.