playcalling
3 stories filed under playcalling on Wazzu. The newest of them: “Big Tripp, Big Job: Wazzu's O-Line Tries to Find Its Feet”, “Three Quarterbacks Walk Into a Palouse Fall: Who Gets the Nod”, and “One good half doesn't change what Duquesne was”. Ashton Tripp doesn't say much, but what he says lands. Three quarterbacks, one Palouse fall, and an offense that ranks 130th in scoring. The unofficial read for people who left Pullman and stayed Cougs. The list below is every playcalling story on Wazzu, newest first.
Big Tripp, Big Job: Wazzu's O-Line Tries to Find Its Feet
Ashton Tripp doesn't say much, but what he says lands. The 6-foot-7 left tackle from Kennewick has been around Pullman long enough to know clichés don't fix a 1-4 start. "We gotta play 11 as one," he said after watching the tape. Hard to argue with that. The Cougs' offense is broken. 11.8 points per game. That's 130th in the country. Caden Pinnick has thrown a pick in every game, and he leads the nation in QB-fault sacks. Ten of his 18 sacks are on him. That's not just bad luck. That's a quarterback who can't feel pressure or won't get rid of the ball. Kirby Moore is taking over playcalling, and he says everyone's getting reps. That could mean Julian Dugger or Owen Eshelman gets a look Friday night at Utah State. It could also mean changes up front. Maximus McCree, the Washington transfer who was supposed to be a big get, still hasn't played a snap. That's worth watching. The offensive line has been fine in pass protection when the QB holds up his end. The run blocking? Less fine. Tripp's run-blocking grade is the lowest on the line. Lester is the bright spot there. But this group was recruited for the Air Raid. They're learning a new offense on the fly, and it shows. If you want more on Moore's approach, our piece on the quiet work that wins in Pullman is worth your time. For now, the Cougs need to find five guys who can click.
Three Quarterbacks Walk Into a Palouse Fall: Who Gets the Nod
Three quarterbacks, one Palouse fall, and an offense that ranks 130th in scoring. That's where the Cougs are right now. Caden Pinnick has the experience and the knowledge of the playbook. He also has six turnovers in five games and 18 sacks taken. You can't win that way. Owen Eshelman has the arm to stretch the field, but he's a redshirt freshman who has never taken a college snap. Throwing him into a road game at Utah State feels like asking for trouble. Julian Dugger can run like hell and showed it in the bowl game last year, but his pocket presence is shaky, and his passing resume is nine completions in two seasons. Kirby Moore is taking over playcalling. He's been here before, at Fresno State in 2022, his team started 1-4 and then won eight straight when Jake Haener came back. That's the hope. The question is whether anyone in this room can be that guy. The smart money might be on Dugger for a spark, but the Cougs need more than a spark. They need someone who can make the right read on third down and not make a bad play worse. That's what Moore keeps saying. We'll see Friday night. For more on how the Cougs got here, check out our breakdown from the Fresno State loss: "Fresno State gets the edge but the Cougs fought until the final whistle." Go Cougs.
One good half doesn't change what Duquesne was
One good half doesn't change what Duquesne was. The Cougars beat a bad FCS team that gives up yards like candy at a parade. Kirby Moore made adjustments, and credit where it's due, Caden Pinnick looked sharp after halftime, and Maxwell Woods and Kirby Vorhees ran like they meant it. That second half felt good. It should encourage you. But here's the honest part. Against FBS teams this season, WSU has one touchdown and four turnovers. That offense has looked thin. Arizona comes to Gesa Field as a 10½-point favorite, and that line exists for a reason. Tony Freeman is done for the year with an injury, and without him, the deep threat shrinks. This isn't a doom post. The offensive line shuffle and Moore's growing role in playcalling are real reasons to believe. Those changes should help win some Pac-12 games. But beating a Big 12 team in primetime? That's a taller ask. Prediction: Arizona 23, WSU 16. If you want more context on what's at stake with the kicking game, go read about Max Dean's migraines making punting a game-time call. Special teams might matter more than usual Saturday night. Go Cougs.