Stone Saunders
Wazzu keeps Stone Saunders in one place: 3 stories so far. The section currently leads with “That Eshelman Run Felt Like a Comeback but the Fourth Quarter Had Other Plans”, “The Cougs are playing for pride this week, not a bowl bid”, and “The O-line gets the callout: WSU faces SDSU's pass rush Saturday”. That Eshelman run felt like a comeback. Another road game, another uphill climb. The unofficial read for people who left Pullman and stayed Cougs. The list below is every Stone Saunders story on Wazzu, newest first.
That Eshelman Run Felt Like a Comeback but the Fourth Quarter Had Other Plans
That Eshelman run felt like a comeback. For a moment, it looked like the Cougs had pulled the same trick they did against San Diego State two years ago. Down 26-14 in the fourth, Owen Eshelman pulled a read option, jogged untouched into the end zone, and let out a scream. You could feel the shift. The ghosts of that 2024 rally, Mateer touchdowns, an Al-Uqdah interception, were in the building. But these Cougars are not those Cougars. The final drive died at midfield. A false start. A timeout to stop the runoff. Two incomplete passes. The ball went back to the Aztecs, and WSU walked off with its sixth straight loss. This team is 1-8 and still looking for its first FBS win. The bye week comes at a good time, but the list of problems is long. Eight sacks in nine games ranks 134th out of 138 teams. The run game is averaging 46 yards per game. Perimeter tackling is letting opponents bounce outside for touchdowns. The offense can sustain drives but can't finish them. There's talent here. We talked about that with Solomon Kipchoge bringing a Pac-12 title home to the Palouse. But one win in nine games says more about decisions than ability. The Cougs have three games left to prove they can put it together. The next one is against Colorado State's terrible defense. If they can't win there, the questions get a lot harder. Go Cougs.
The Cougs are playing for pride this week, not a bowl bid
Another road game, another uphill climb. The Cougs are playing for pride this week, not a bowl bid, and that's the kind of honest assessment this season deserves. Coach Kirby Moore's debut year has been a grind, and the numbers back it up: 0-4 on the road, a leaky offensive line, and a running game that can't get traction. The defense has dropped six interceptions, tied for the most in the country, and managed only eight sacks. That's not a recipe for a turnaround. San Diego State is beatable on paper. Their defense ranks near the bottom in several categories, and they're starting a backup QB making his second start. But the Aztecs are sharp at home, and the Cougs haven't shown they can cash in on those opportunities. You can squint and see a win. The rest of us see a 34-24 loss. The Cougs get a bye after this one, and they'll need it. Nine straight games is a slog, especially when the breaks aren't falling your way. For the seniors playing their last road game, that stings. If you want to read about a bright spot, check out our story on Trey Leckner's foot healing up and his impact not missing a beat. That's the kind of fight this team has, even when the scoreboard doesn't show it. Go Cougs.
The O-line gets the callout: WSU faces SDSU's pass rush Saturday
The O-line gets the callout, and it's deserved. Watching the Cougs' front five against Boise State was like watching a screen door try to stop a stampede. Two of the four sacks on Owen Eshelman came from that group, and the kid was under pressure all night. Now they get SDSU's pass rush, which has piled up 16 sacks this season. That linebacker trio of Rahman, Wallin and Hala alone accounts for 8.5 of them. This is the matchup that decides Saturday. Here's the thing, though: SDSU's defense is bad. Like, statistically terrible. No. 135 in total defense, giving up 462 yards a game. No. 133 in scoring defense. The Aztecs give up points and yards like they're handing out samples at a Costco. If Eshelman gets time, the Cougs should carve them up. That's a big if. On the other side, WSU's defense has been dropping interceptions like they're hot. Six drops, tied for most in the country. Only five forced turnovers. Eight sacks. They're playing well but can't make the big play when it matters. SDSU is starting a redshirt freshman making his second start. Pressure him, force a mistake. That's the path. And keep an eye on that kick returner, Hawkins. Three touchdowns on returns this season. The Cougs have been solid covering kicks, but one missed tackle and he's gone.