If Luke Falk is injured in 2016 the way he was at various points in 2015, it appears Washington State will be forced to turn to a different, less experienced replacement.
While the school has yet to confirm it, Scout.com is the first to report that Peyton Bender has been declared academically ineligible and will not play for Wazzu in 2016. The Spokane Spokesman-Review subsequently confirmed the initial report.
And, according to the recruiting website, Bender won’t even practice with his teammates during the season.
Bender, a redshirt sophomore, spent the 2015 season as Falk’s primary backup. Because of an injury to Falk, Bender started the Apple Cup loss to Washington in late November. He was also forced into action in two other games because of injuries to Falk.
All told, Bender completed 53-of-91 passes for 498 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in five games last season. 288 of the yards came in the rivalry loss to close out the regular season.
With Bender apparently sidelined, the backup job will, in all likelihood, fall on the shoulders of Tyler Hilinski.