- Utah State on a short week? Cougs need an offensive pulse
PULLMAN – Here is a first look at Washington State’s road game against Utah State on Friday evening.
What is it?
It’s the first road Pac-12 contest of the season for WSU, which is trying to put a blowout home loss to Fresno State over the weekend in the rearview mirror. In that one, the Cougars failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second time this season, the first time this program has met that fate in one season since 2008.
That helped prompt WSU coach Kirby Moore to take over playcalling duties from offensive coordinator Matt Miller, an announcement Moore made in his weekly news conference on Monday. It’s also possible the Cougars move away from quarterback Caden Pinnick, with Moore saying “everyone will get reps” at QB in practice this week.
In a rematch of last winter’s Idaho Potato Bowl, Moore’s WSU squad will try to take down a Utah State team that has just one win, also checking in with one of the country’s worst offenses.
Where is it?
Maverik Stadium in Logan, Utah.
When is it?
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (7 p.m. local)
Where can I watch it?
The CW will broadcast the game.
Who is favored?
WSU opened as a 4.5-point underdog.
How did the Cougars fare last week?
In a 26-6 loss to Fresno State to open conference play, WSU’s offense struggled as badly as it has in decades. Pinnick threw one interception, and an earlier snap mishap resulted in another turnover, the team’s ninth of the season. The Cougars slogged through six three-and-outs, one drive that only reached a first down via penalty and one turnover on downs, which was a four-play series in the game’s final moments.
WSU scored only two field goals, both from kicker Jack Stevens, who has now connected on three straight field goals. His second make on Saturday, a 50-yarder right before halftime, was a careerlong kick. It’s clear his confidence is returning, and thanks to coaches’ decision to shift some personnel on the field goal team, that part of the Cougars’ special teams unit looks much sharper.
WSU’s defense also turned in a remarkable outing, getting a sterling game from defensive end Matyus McLain, including a half-sack and two tackles for loss. The Cougars recovered a fumble, and they kept their team within one score for three quarters, an extraordinary development considering how badly their offense was struggling. WSU defenders were caught off guard by several Fresno State trick plays, including a reverse that the Bulldogs used to go up by a touchdown midway through the third frame, but those were about the only faults to find with defensive coordinator Trent Bray’s group.
But the reasons WSU lost the game, its second straight setback, had much more to do with its offense’s shortcomings. Early in the game, receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy caught what would have been a third-down conversion, but he ran his route short of the line to gain. Fellow receiver Daniel Blood dropped a late pass for a conversion. And Pinnick turned in his worst game of the year, missing targets downfield and showing some wobbly decision-making throughout the entire game.
On top of that, the Cougs’ rushing attack was almost nonexistent, at least from their tailbacks. Maxwell Woods, Kirby Vorhees and Leo Pulalasi combined for just 45 yards on 12 carries. In the second half, those numbers dropped significantly: Those three combined for just 13 yards on five carries. As a team, the Cougars rushed for negative-4 yards in the second half.
“We gotta incorporate those guys more. We got to stay on the field,” Moore said. “That’s the most important thing. You gotta get first downs to get more carries for the running backs. And when 11 of your 14 third downs are third-and-long plus, the percentages on conversion there are pretty low.”
All in all, it was another listless showing for a WSU team that has languished through several like it already this year. The Cougars converted on just 3 of 14 third-down chances, dropping their season rate to 16-for-59 – 27%, five spots up from dead last in the country.
Scouting Utah State …
The Aggies, who are led by second-year coach Bronco Mendenhall and quarterback Grady Brosterhous, have started the season to the tune of 1-4. They opened with a loss to FCS Idaho State, then followed with two more setbacks, on the road to Washington and Utah. Mendenhall’s team bounced back with a home win over Troy before falling to Boise State last weekend.
The Aggies, who rank last in the Pac-12 in scoring offense and fourth in scoring defense, have struggled to generate any consistent offense. Utah State’s 14 points per game ranks three spots up from last nationally, and on top of being one of the country’s most penalized teams, the Aggies’ turnover margin of minus-seven is four spots up from last nationally.
Utah State has rolled with Brosterhous at quarterback, but in the team’s loss to Boise State over the weekend, coaches gave several midgame snaps to junior McCae Hillstead. It’s likely that WSU will see Brosterhous – he’s completed 58% of his passes for 764 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions – but Hillstead might not be out of the picture entirely, either.
Between Brosterhous and Hillstead, the Aggies have thrown 10 interceptions, which ranks dead last in the country. That’s a key reason why Utah State’s offense is among the worst nationally.
“He can really run the football. He can throw the football. It starts with him,” Moore said of Brosterhous. “There’s some RPO elements to what they do. There’s a lot of creativity offensively. They’ve got some good skill guys that we gotta make sure we tackle in space.”
But Utah State’s defense hasn’t been half bad. The Aggies are allowing 25 points per game, good for the fourth-best mark in the Pac-12, thanks in large part to a few playmakers: Safety Brevin Hamblin is the team’s leading tackler with 43 takedowns, and he’s snagged one interception. Edge rusher Jordan Pendleton has two sacks on seven quarterback pressures, and safety David Kabongo also has one pick.
What happened last time?
WSU and Utah State’s last meeting came in the 2025 Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, where the Cougars’ offense roared to life in a 34-21 victory. With former coach Jimmy Rogers already off to Iowa State, former offensive coordinator Danny Freund flexed his muscles and unleashed his team’s offense.
- Kirby Moore called his own shot. Now can his offense answer
LOGAN, Utah – Earlier this week, Washington State coach Kirby Moore made the right move.
In announcing that he is taking over the Cougars’ playcalling duties, taking them away from a longtime friend in offensive coordinator Matt Miller, Moore demonstrated his understanding of the urgency of the moment. The Cougars’ offense has been floundering. Something had to change.
But will that be enough to help WSU secure a road win over Utah State on Friday night, set for 6 p.m. on the CW? All kinds of things could unfold, but here’s predicting the answer will be no, leading to an Aggie victory.
It will be fascinating to see what kinds of effects Moore’s control over this offense will have. Quarterback Caden Pinnick could look much sharper and much cleaner, avoiding the turnover problems that have plagued him early in his WSU career. But if the issues have less to do with playcalling and more to do with Pinnick himself, it’s possible he looks the same, which would make it exceedingly difficult for the Cougars (1-4, 0-1 Pac-12) to earn a win.
To be clear, WSU’s offensive woes have hardly been all Pinnick’s fault. Receivers have dropped passes and run routes short of the sticks. Offensive linemen have not been perfect. And the Cougs have gotten very little in the passing game from their tight ends. Nobody in this unit should be absolved of blame.
But the head of the snake is the quarterback, and even if the Cougars make a change at that position, it’s hard to foresee this offense taking down a Utah State defense that ranks fifth in the Pac-12 in scoring defense. QB Owen Eshelman has yet to see the field in any meaningful capacity, and the athletic Julian Dugger would have to prove to the Aggies’ defense that he can hurt them with his arm.
It’s a tough spot for WSU, no matter which QB gets the majority of reps in Friday’s game.
Final score: Utah State 13, WSU 7
- Pinnick's five turnovers make Saturday a test of Cougar ball security
Washington State vs. Fresno State
Saturday, 4:30 p.m.
Line: WSU favored by 1.5
TV: USA
Radio: 920-AM
Key matchup: WSU QB Caden Pinnick against Fresno State defense
There’s one theme that will likely shape Saturday’s game: Can Pinnick avoid turnovers against Fresno State’s defense? Pinnick has lost five turnovers for the Cougars, who have committed seven total as a team, adding up to a turnover margin of minus-4. That ranks No. 119 nationally. Meanwhile, Fresno State has engineered a turnover margin of plus-7, which is No. 6 in the country.
Pinnick can’t afford any missteps on Saturday. He’s lost many of his turnovers trying to extend plays and stretch the field, which reinforces what is becoming clear: Pinnick is at his best throwing short and intermediate routes, completing 49 of 69 of passes from zero to 19 yards, which is a sharp 71%. But he’s much less effective at distance, hitting on just 2 of 13 passes with two interceptions on throws of 20-plus yards.
Fresno State cornerback Simeon Harris, who has pocketed three interceptions already, will be lurking. Pinnick might be able to throw in his direction, but he may be wise to avoid deep throws, which is when he’s gone wrong this fall.
How the Cougs win…
WSU can win this game by generating an effective ground game, which might be complicated by the status of running back Kirby Vorhees, who will be a gametime decision as he nurses an upper-body injury. If Vorhees can’t go, the Cougars could give more carries to redshirt sophomore tailback Maxwell Woods, who has had a similarly rough go against FBS competition this fall.
But against Fresno State, whose defense could be a better matchup for WSU’s offense, Woods and the Cougars could get going. That would simplify things for Pinnick and remove some pressure, allowing him to ease his way into the game, instead of pressing. That’s where he’s gotten in some trouble this season.
If WSU can establish a credible ground attack early on Saturday, Pinnick won’t feel the need to create plays that aren’t there, which is often how Fresno State’s defense has feasted in a 3-1 start to the season.
How the Bulldogs win…
Fresno State’s clearest path to victory involves preying on WSU’s biggest weakness, which is its turnovers. By giving Pinnick different looks, the Bulldogs might be able to frustrate the quarterback. Last weekend, Arizona sent a myriad of blitzes at WSU and its offensive line, which couldn’t give Pinnick enough time to make good decisions.
Plus, because of the amount of turnovers the Cougs’ offense has committed, their defense has been on the field for several extra drives and heavy snap counts. WSU’s defense has allowed just 4.3 points per game in the first quarter, which ranks No. 57 nationally. That unit has permitted 11.3 points per game in the fourth quarter, which is No. 123 nationally.
That paints a picture of the WSU defense, which has tired out as games unfold. To take full advantage, Fresno State’s defense could engineer long drives against the Cougs’ defense, which is mighty talented. But it’s also made up of human beings, who get tired the more they play.
Key stat: 32.6
Pinnick has earned a Pro Football Focus deep passing grade of 32.6, which is four spots up from dead last in the country among QBs who have tried at least 13 passes of 20-plus yards. That indicates a key limitation of WSU’s offense, which is its inability to create explosive plays through the air. If the Cougars can’t generate explosives on the ground, either, their offense could be in for another forgettable one.
Quotable
“I think any receiver would say one is too many,” wide receiver Darrius Clemons said of his reliability, dropping just one ball this season. “When Caden puts the ball in the air, it’s coming my way, my job is to catch it. He expects me to catch it. I think everybody on the team expects you to catch it. When the ball is in your hands or coming your way, the program’s in your hands, essentially.”
