FORT COLLINS — Mike Tyson once said, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Or in this case, until a 340-pound Tongan defensive tackle ends up in your grill. On consecutive plays during Washington State’s 20-3 win over Colorado State on Saturday, Rams’ quarterback was greeted by Soni Finau and the result was two sacks for a loss of 13 yards, the first two of his Cougar career.

The 6-foot-2, 340-pound product of Elk Grove, Calif., celebrated with the ‘T for Tonga’ celebration that Nusi Malani used over the last couple of seasons. And with Max Baloun likely out for the season, it’s production like that from players such as Finau that the Cougars are going to need all season long.

“He’s getting better the more we play,” Jimmy Rogers said after the game. “I think he’s getting more in shape. His gas tank is expanding as the season’s going. He’s just a big human to block. When you get tired on offense, you have to block 320, maybe 340 pounds running at you consistently. Proud of him because those were huge momentum plays for us.”

Finau spent his first three seasons at Cal Poly, appearing in 31 games and recording 34 tackles, nine for loss, and 1.5 sacks. So in the span of two plays, he topped his career sack numbers and did so with some impressive mobility to get off blocks.

“I didn’t even realize what was going on,” LB Anthony Palano said. “I was looking at the quarterback, and all of a sudden he went down, and it was Soni. I just see him doing his celebration. I’m very happy for him. Whenever he gets on the field, he always puts his best into it.”

Finau played 17 snaps on Saturday per PFF, and the two sacks were also his first two pressures of the season.

Related: Opportunism defines Wazzu’s 20-3 win: Stops, sacks, and a statement

BEFOFE THE SEASON began, Washington State cornerback Kenny Worthy spoke at length about how his maturity had grown and he wasn’t taking mistakes as personal indictments. He admitted that last season, he got into his own head a lot, even if it was largely in practice.

But Saturday was a prime example as to how the 6-0, 177-pound second-year from Buckeye, Ariz., has grown. 

Late in the first quarter, Worthy was hit with a very questionable pass interference call on what looked to be pretty clean coverage. A year ago, that may have rattled Worthy throughout the rest of the game. Not anymore.

Two plays later, CSU running back Justin Marshall found a crease and busted off a 16-yard run deep into WSU territory. Except as the Cougars defense swarmed around him, Worthy delivered a textbook punch, freeing up the ball and allowing Caleb Francl to pounce on it.

It was a huge momentum play and one that signified the growth of the young corner.

“It stems from relationships,” Rogers said. “And understanding that your coach is your biggest critic but he’s also your biggest supporter … he’s a competitor and he’s only going to get better and I think he could be a really special player here.”

Worthy earned the No. 3 cornerback role with a great fall camp and has recorded seven tackles with a forced fumble and a pass breakup this season, playing 146 snaps according to PFF.

Soni Finau celebrates one of his two sacks with Malaki Ta’ase (Photo: Instagram/WSU)