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TEMPE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Lamont Thompson set a Pac-10 Conference record for career interceptions as 12th-ranked Washington State posted a 28-16 victory over Arizona State. Thompson, who picked off four passes in last week's win over UCLA, recorded his 22nd interception, breaking the previous mark set by Chuck Cecil of Arizona from 1984-87. The senior safety also established a Washington State record with his eighth interception of the season. The Cougars (9-1, 6-1 Pac-10) did not get caught looking ahead to next week's "Apple Cup" against Washington and remained tied for first place with Oregon. Washington dropped out of a three-way tie atop the conference after losing at Oregon State. Washington State can gain at least a share of the conference title next week, although Oregon holds the tiebreaker edge based on a 24-17 win over the Cougars two weeks ago. Washington State's Jason Gesser tossed a pair of touchdown passes to Jerome Riley in the first half before leaving with bruised ribs midway through the third period. He completed 11-of-18 passes for 208 yards with an interception. Arizona State (4-5, 1-5) closed to 21-16 5:18 into the fourth quarter on a two-yard touchdown run by Delvon Flowers, who rushed for 137 yards on 31 carries. But Washington State clinched the win just under three minutes later when Dave Minnich threw a 21-yard TD to Collin Henderson on a halfback option pass. Minnich, who missed four of the previous five games with a knee injury, rushed for 52 yards on 18 carries. Washington State improved to 9-1 for the first time since 1997, when Ryan Leaf led the Cougars to the Rose Bowl. Arizona State has not beaten a ranked opponent since handing Washington State its only regular-season loss four years ago. Matt Kegel, Leaf's cousin, replaced Gesser and completed just 2-of-10 passes for 60 yards. Washington State took a 7-0 lead on Gesser's 72-yard TD pass to Riley 4:34 into the first quarter. Arizona State answered just 47 seconds later as Jeff Krohn, who did not play in the second half due to an undisclosed injury, tossed a 40-yard TD pass to Shaun McDonald, who had five receptions for 169 yards. The Cougars took the lead for good on Gesser's two-yard TD to Riley 28 seconds into the second period. Riley caught six passes for 158 yards. After Arizona State closed to 14-9 on a safety early in the second quarter, Raonall Smith's 27-yard fumble return made it 21-9 with 4:26 left in the third quarter. Krohn, who suffered a head injury in last week's loss at Oregon, completed 7-of-15 passes for 157 yards.
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