Utah State
Utah State at Wazzu is a file of 17 stories. The newest of them: “Pinnick, Pulalasi, Leaupepetele: Three Cougs, One Postgame Story”, “Kirby Moore breaks down what he saw from the Cougs after Utah State”, and “Cougs hit the road, Utah State notes and what we saw in Logan”. Three names, one box score line, and a story that tells you everything about why this team is fun again. Kirby Moore didn't sugarcoat it. The unofficial read for people who left Pullman and stayed Cougs. The list below is every Utah State story on Wazzu, newest first.
Pinnick, Pulalasi, Leaupepetele: Three Cougs, One Postgame Story
Three names, one box score line, and a story that tells you everything about why this team is fun again. Pinnick, Pulalasi, Leaupepetele. Say those out loud. That's a backfield with rhythm, and Saturday it had a beat. You don't need to be in the room to know what that postgame felt like. Three guys who carried the rock, shared the load, and then shared the moment. That's not always how it works. Sometimes guys get salty about touches. Sometimes the stat sheet gets in the way. Not this group. This was three Cougs who understood the assignment: win the game, then celebrate like it's nobody's business but ours. It's the kind of game that makes you text your old Pullman crew and say, "Okay, we might actually have something." And if you want the full breakdown of what the coaches saw, Kirby Moore breaks down what he saw from the Cougs after Utah State. That's the deep dive. This is the vibe check. What we love here is the specificity. Not just "the running backs played well." Three names. Three dudes. Three stories in one huddle. That's the Coug way. We don't get five-star recruiting classes. We get guys who block for each other and then talk about it after the game like it mattered. Because it did. Go Cougs.
Kirby Moore breaks down what he saw from the Cougs after Utah State
Kirby Moore didn't sugarcoat it. After the Cougs took care of business against Utah State, he broke down what he saw, and it sounds like the kind of honest film-room talk you want from a coach who's paying attention. Not everything was perfect, and that's fine. The point is he saw it. There's something reassuring about a coach who names what went wrong even after a win. Moore's not out here pretending the Cougs are a finished product in November. He's pointing at the details, the execution, the timing, the stuff that doesn't show up in the box score but shows up in February. That's the stuff that actually matters. And while the football team grabs the headlines, the other Cougs are quietly stacking wins too. The swim squad handled Seattle U in October, and Whitaker led the way again in the recent dual. If you missed that one, our recap on the Cougs rolling against Seattle U is worth a read. Different pool, same standard. That's the thing about Wazzu. It's not just one team. It's a whole bunch of people in crimson who show up, do the work, and don't make a big scene about it. Moore gets that. He's not looking for style points. He's looking for progress. The takeaway here is simple: the Cougs are trending the right way, and the coach sees it. He just wants more. Good. So do we. Go Cougs.
Cougs hit the road, Utah State notes and what we saw in Logan
Logan is a tough place to play, and the Cougs found that out the hard way. The scoreboard showed a loss, but the film shows something worse: an offense that forgot how to finish. We saw drives stall. We saw promising plays die before they could breathe. Utah State's linebacker, Asher Cunningham, made the kind of plays that flip games, two turnovers that felt like the whole night pivoted on his shoulders. He was the best player on the field, and he wore the wrong jersey for us. You can't win in the Mountain West if you can't close. And right now, the Cougs can't close. That's not panic. That's just what we saw in Logan. If you want the full breakdown of how that offense kept shooting itself in the foot, go read "Cougs hand Utah State a win with an offense that forgot how to finish." It's ugly, but we don't sugarcoat things here. Next up is Oregon State. Another road game. Another chance to find that first win. The Cougs head south still searching, and we'll be watching to see if they find anything different in Corvallis. We've got a look at that one too, in "Oregon State looms as Cougs head south still searching for first win." Go Cougs.
One point, two weeks, zero mercy: Cougs fall short in Logan
Two weeks after the last one, the Cougs went back to Logan and found the same wall. One point. That's the margin. Utah State took it, and Wazzu heads home with a loss that's going to sit heavy on the bus ride across the desert. Zero mercy is the right way to put it. The Aggies weren't interested in close calls or moral victories, and they got what they wanted. For the Cougs, it's a gut punch because it wasn't a blowout. It was a game where one more stop, one more make, one more possession goes the other way and we're talking about a different headline. Instead, we're talking about what slipped away. That's the frustrating part of being a Coug fan. We know this team has fight. We saw it. But fight only counts when it shows up on the scoreboard, and in Logan, it came up one point short. If you want the full picture of what happened after the buzzer, the piece on Pinnick, Pulalasi, and Leaupepetele is worth your time. Those three carried the weight of this one in a way the box score doesn't always show. The schedule doesn't let up, and the pool season is already knocking with a Thursday dual at home. But right now, this one stings. And it should. Go Cougs.
Oregon State looms as Cougs head south still searching for first win
Owen Eshelman gets the keys. First start of his college career, and he's walking into Corvallis against an Oregon State team that looks like it's been shot out of a cannon. The Beavers are on a four-game win streak, leading the country in passing yards per game, and just hung 66 points on San Diego State. Meanwhile, the Cougs are still hunting for their first FBS win, sitting at 1-5, and just watched a halftime lead evaporate into a 17-16 loss to Utah State. That Utah State game stung. Two fumbles turned into touchdowns. The offense put up 64 yards in the second half. Caden Pinnick took the brunt of it, and Moore made the call this week. For more on how Moore handled the aftermath, check out our piece, "Moore won't throw his QB under the bus after Utah State loss." Eshelman has a tough task. He's facing a Beaver defense that's rolling, and he's doing it with an offensive line that just lost left tackle Ashton Tripp to an ankle injury. The good news? WSU's defense is still showing up. They held Utah State's quarterback to 150 yards and one touchdown pass. They'll need that same effort, and then some, against Jesse Legree and that OSU passing attack. This is a gut-check game. The Cougs are 17.5-point underdogs for a reason. But it's also a chance to see what the offense looks like with a new hand on the wheel. Go Cougs.
Cougs hand Utah State a win with an offense that forgot how to finish
Logan was not kind to the Cougs. Washington State went down to Utah State Friday night and handed them a win the Aggies barely earned themselves. WSU led 16-3 at halftime. Then the offense forgot how to finish. Kirby Moore took over playcalling from Matt Miller, and for a half it looked like something might click. Three field goals. A touchdown. 193 yards. Then the second half happened: 64 total yards, zero points, 1 of 8 on third downs. That's not just a slump. That's a collapse. Utah State didn't suddenly get good. Their quarterback completed 11 of 26 passes. They averaged 2.9 yards a carry. They looked miserable. But the Cougs gave them short fields off two turnovers, a Pinnick fumble and a Jack Pedersen fumble, and that was enough. The defense deserved better. Again. At 1-5 and 0-2 in the new Pac-12, bowl hopes are gone. Oregon State and Boise State are next. The wheels are off. Something else needs to change offensively, and if you want a deeper look at the quarterback situation, we have a piece titled "Caden Pinnick is a good dude. That doesn't fix the QB room." It's worth your time. Go Cougs.
Utah State linebacker strips Coug tight end, flips the game
Utah State linebacker Asher Cunningham made the play of the game, and it wasn't even close. He stripped tight end Jack Pedersen just before Pedersen's knee hit the turf on a third-down play with under eight minutes left. Then he pounced on the ball deep in WSU territory. That set up the Aggies' go-ahead touchdown. Game flipped. Cunningham also knocked the ball loose from Caden Pinnick in the third quarter. Utah State recovered that one too, scored five plays later, and the momentum never came back. The Elon transfer finished with a career-high 17 tackles, half a sack, and two tackles for loss. He now has 52 tackles on the season. That puts him near the top 20 nationally. The guy was everywhere. On the other side, Jirah Leaupepetele did what nose tackles do: the dirty work nobody notices until you watch the tape. The 349-pound Eastern Washington transfer plugged gaps, recorded his first full sack of the season, and stood up his blocker on a critical third-and-short with under three minutes left. He brought down the running back just before the line to gain, forced a punt, and kept WSU alive. Five tackles, tied for third on the team. That's a good day's work. This loss stings. If you want the full picture of how the offense let this one slip, go read "Cougs hand Utah State a win with an offense that forgot how to finish." It's exactly what it sounds like. Go Cougs.
Caden Pinnick is a good dude. That doesn't fix the QB room
Caden Pinnick sounds like a guy you'd be happy to have over for a BBQ. He's thoughtful, accountable, and clearly cares about his teammates. None of that makes him the answer at quarterback right now. The Cougs dropped a 17-16 stunner to Utah State after taking a 16-3 lead into the half. That's three straight losses. Four offensive touchdowns in five games against FBS competition. Pinnick went 23-of-36 for 156 yards and zero touchdowns. In Pullman, that stat line used to mean 400 yards and a couple scores. Now it means the offense is stuck in neutral. Kirby Moore has a decision to make. Pinnick has seven turnovers on the season. The second half produced 64 total yards. Penalties wiped out chunk plays. Jack Pedersen fumbled late, and Utah State turned it into the winning score. Moore was asked about Julian Dugger or Owen Eshelman. He said he needs to evaluate everything. That's coach-speak for "I don't have a great answer yet." Pinnick owned it. Said it breaks his heart. He's a 20-year-old trying to follow a line of Cougar QBs who set a high bar. That's not his fault. But running him out there every week when the offense can't move might not be fair to him or the team. If you want the full picture of this season's slide, check out "Cougs head south, run into a buzzsaw in Logan." Go Cougs.
Cougs head south, run into a buzzsaw in Logan
Sometimes the bus ride home is quiet for a reason. Washington State heads south to Logan on Friday, and the oddsmakers aren't giving the Cougs much of a chance. Utah State is favored by 5½, and that feels about right for a team that still hasn't settled its most important position. The quarterback question isn't just a talking point anymore. It's the story. Kirby Moore has a decision to make, and he's the one who put himself in this spot. He called his own shot earlier this week, which takes guts. Now we find out if his offense can answer the bell. That's the thing about being a Coug in Logan, nobody is going to hand you anything. Maverik Stadium is loud, the Aggies are feisty, and the buzzsaw is real. We've got deeper dives on the QB situation if you want the full picture. "The Cougar QB question looms large ahead of Utah State" lays out what Moore is weighing, and "Kirby Moore called his own shot" gets into the coach's mindset. Both are worth your time before kickoff. For now, this is simple. Can Wazzu block well enough? Can the defense hold up? And can whoever takes the snap make a play when it matters? Those are the questions. Friday night gives us answers, one way or another. Go Cougs.
The Cougar QB question looms large ahead of Utah State
Six turnovers in five games. That's the Cougar QB situation right now, and it's the whole story heading into Logan. Caden Pinnick has thrown a pick in every start. He's also fumbled. That's not a trend you want to bring on the road. So the question isn't just who starts Friday, it's whether the leash is short enough to yank him if it happens again. Owen Eshelman hasn't played a meaningful snap. Julian Dugger can run but hasn't shown he can throw. None of these are comfortable answers. But here's the thing: Utah State's QB room has been worse. Their guys have taken 17 sacks and thrown 10 interceptions. That's worst in the country. So while our offense is a mess, their offense is a mess too. That puts the game on the defenses. Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk should have a day. Jaylen Thomas already has two picks this year. If the Cougar D can flip the turnover margin, we're at minus-5, they're at minus-7, this thing swings. Coach Moore is calling plays now, which Jack Pedersen backed up this week. We've got deeper coverage on that in "Kirby Moore called his own shot. Now can his offense answer." Worth a read before kickoff. For now, the take is simple: we don't know who's under center, but we know the defense has to carry. If they do, we've got a shot. If they don't, it's a long bus ride home. Go Cougs.
Who starts at QB for WSU could decide the Utah State game
Friday night in Logan, the Cougs will go through all the same motions they always do. Stretches. Warmups. Jumping jacks. Then the tunnel opens, and something will actually be different. Kirby Moore is taking over playcalling. That alone is a big shift for an offense that ranks near the bottom of the country in scoring. But the real question, the one that decides whether this season has a pulse, is who takes the first snap. Caden Pinnick has been turnover-prone, leading the nation in QB-fault sacks. Owen Eshelman has the arm but hasn't played in a meaningful way. Julian Dugger brings athleticism and hasn't seen much time either. Moore says everyone will get reps, and that the decision comes down to what they see in practice. That sounds like a coach keeping his options open, which is about all you can ask for at 1-4. The good news? Utah State's offense might be even worse. Ten interceptions. 13.3 points per game. Our defense should have a day. Linus Zunk and Matyus McLain ought to be licking their chops. But defense alone won't win this one. The offense has to answer. If Moore picks the right QB, and his new play sheet makes a difference, the Cougs might save the season before it slips into November. If not, bowl eligibility becomes a memory. For a deeper look at what Moore's move means, check out our story on why the Cougs are letting a new voice call plays in Logan. Go Cougs.
Kirby Moore called his own shot. Now can his offense answer
Kirby Moore called his own shot. He took the playcalling duties from his longtime friend and offensive coordinator Matt Miller, because the Cougs' offense has been floundering. Something had to change. Moore understood the urgency. Now comes the hard part: Does it work? We're heading to Logan on Friday night, 6 p.m. on the CW, to find out. And honestly? I'm not optimistic. The prediction here is Utah State 13, WSU 7. That's a tough score to swallow. Quarterback Caden Pinnick could look sharper with a new voice in his ear. Fewer turnovers. Cleaner decisions. But if the problems are more about Pinnick than the plays being called, the Cougs are in the same spot. And it's not just him. Receivers have dropped passes. Routes have come up short. The offensive line hasn't been perfect. The tight ends haven't helped in the passing game. Nobody in that unit gets a pass. But the head of the snake is the quarterback. If Pinnick isn't the answer, Owen Eshelman hasn't seen meaningful time, and Julian Dugger would have to prove he can hurt a defense with his arm. That's a thin bench against a Utah State defense ranked fifth in the Pac-12 in scoring. Moore made the right move. It just might not be enough. For more on why the Cougs are changing who calls the plays, check out "Why the Cougs are letting a new voice call plays in Logan." It's a deeper look at what went into this decision.
Cougs head to Logan to test their grit against No. 17 Utah State
Logan's a strange place to find out what you're made of. The Spectrum gets loud, the air gets thin, and the Cougs don't get the luxury of a friendly crowd. Friday night, they walk into that buzzsaw to take on No. 17 Utah State, and nobody in the building will be handing out moral victories. This is the kind of road trip that tells you if the grit is real or just a slogan. The Aggies are ranked for a reason, and they'll throw pressure and pace at WSU until something cracks. The Cougs' job is to make sure it's not them. You don't need to be perfect in Logan, but you do need to be stubborn. Win the 50-50 balls, keep the bench loud, and let the defense travel. If the offense sputters early, so be it. The fight has to be there from the opening whistle. That's the whole scouting report. It's a Friday night under the lights with everything to gain and nothing to lose. Go steal one and let the Palouse howl. For a little more of the good stuff, check out how the soccer team found its own rhythm in "Cougs on the grass: WSU soccer finds its rhythm against Fresno State." Different field, same standard. Go Cougs.
Cougs Take the Fight to Logan for a Friday Night Tilt
Friday night in Logan. That's the kind of trip that separates the curious from the committed, and the Cougs are packing their bags for it. A short hop over the border, a hostile crowd, and a chance to do something loud on the road. This is exactly the kind of tilt that used to define these programs, and it's good to see it back on the schedule. You don't take a Friday night game lightly, especially not in that building. The Cougs know what they're walking into. We've spent plenty of time this season trying to make sense of the postseason picture, and if you haven't checked out our breakdown of the Pac-12 bowl math, you should. It's still a mess, but at least it's our mess. This game, though, is about the here and now. It's about showing up, playing physical, and leaving Logan with a win instead of excuses. The details matter, but the vibe is simple: Cougs on the road, under the lights, with something to prove. Nobody is pretending this is a marquee matchup for the neutral fan. But for us? This is the whole point of being a Coug. You show up for the ones that don't look glamorous on paper. You take the fight to their place and you see what you're made of. Pullman travels well, and Friday night should be no different. Go Cougs.
Pac-12 power rankings leave little doubt about the gap ahead of WSU
The gap between the top three and the rest of the Pac-12 is a chasm, and the power rankings make it official. Boise State, Oregon State, and Fresno State are the class of the conference. Washington State? We're sitting at No. 7, and the takeaway from the rankings is brutal but fair: we don't have enough offense to secure a bowl berth, let alone sniff the championship game. It's one week into round-robin play, and the picture is already clear. The beauty of this eight-team league is everyone plays everyone, so there are no excuses. The defining dates are set: Boise State at Fresno State, Oregon State at Fresno State, and Oregon State at Boise State. The analytics favor the Broncos to sweep. Our hunch is they do. For the Cougs, the immediate concern is finding an offensive pulse. First-year coach Kirby Moore has no answers right now, and if that doesn't change in the next 19 games, Pullman will be in the market for a new coach. That's the hard truth. We've got deeper coverage on the situation, including a look at Moore taking over playcalls and what the Cougs need against Utah State this Friday. It's a short week, and the offense is MIA. Pullman is letting them hear it. Go Cougs.
Moore takes over WSU playcalls, promises QB competition this week
Kirby Moore is taking the play sheet back. After Washington State's offense went without a touchdown for the second time this season, this past Saturday's 26-6 loss to Fresno State, Moore announced Monday he's taking over playcalling from offensive coordinator Matt Miller. The numbers are ugly. The Cougs rank 133rd out of 138 FBS teams in total yards per game. They've scored three offensive touchdowns in four games against FBS opponents. That's not a slump. That's a fire drill. Moore called plays at Missouri from 2023-25. He knows what he's doing. But knowing and fixing are two different things when your quarterback has thrown five interceptions and your running backs combined for 13 yards on five carries in the second half. Moore says everyone gets reps this week. Caden Pinnick, Julian Dugger, Owen Eshelman, it's an open competition. He didn't rule out playing multiple guys Friday at Utah State. Miller is still on staff and still involved. That's fine. But the buck stops with Moore now. He's not panicking. He said he can't wait to get to practice. That's the right attitude for a guy who just admitted his offense needs a jump start. If you want the full look at what's at stake this week, check out "Utah State on a short week? Cougs need an offensive pulse." It's a mess right now. But Pullman has seen messes before. Go Cougs.
Riley's Third Year Brings 11 Road Games and a Jan. 3 Tip in Fresno
David Riley's third season is here, and the schedule is a doozy. Eleven nonconference games away from Pullman. That's the most since 1973-74, and it tells you exactly what athletic directors and coaches are dealing with in this new Pac-12. Money matters. You don't stack that many road games unless you have to. The conference slate starts Jan. 3 in Fresno. That feels weird, but it's real. And for the first time since 1917, there is no regular-season game against Washington. None. They'll play an exhibition in Seattle on Oct. 25, which is better than nothing, but it's not the same. There are bright spots. Gonzaga comes to Beasley on Jan. 6, a Wednesday during winter break. That's a weird time for a game, but it's still Gonzaga in Pullman. And the Cougs host Kirkland on Nov. 14, their first non-D-I opponent at home since 2015. That's a rarity worth noting. The middle of the schedule is a grind. Three of four on the road, including trips to Boise State, Colorado State, and Utah State. Then a brutal February stretch with Gonzaga and San Diego State on the road in the same week. That's a gut check. If you want a different kind of Cougar story, check out "For the Leaupepetele brothers, Sunday dinner looks a lot different now." It's a good reminder that the people around this program are as interesting as the scores. Go Cougs.