1 month ago
Sep. 14—PULLMAN — Shortly after Washington State wrapped up its last game, a blowout road loss to Kansas State over the weekend to drop coach Kirby Moore's team to 0-2 to open the season, Cougar quarterback Caden Pinnick was short on words.
On some of the team's biggest problems on offense, Pinnick said only, "We just lost. Next question."
On what was holding back WSU's passing offense, which produced only 65 yards, Pinnick said, "Good team. We lost."
On whether he felt like offensive coordinator Matt Miller's playcalls were putting the team in the best positions to succeed, Pinnick said, "It's not for me to say. We just gotta get better."
On Monday, Pinnick led off his news conference addressing that postgame session, which lasted less than two minutes, saying it was "not quite the response that you want."
#offense
On some of the team's biggest problems on offense, Pinnick said only, "We just lost. Next question."
On what was holding back WSU's passing offense, which produced only 65 yards, Pinnick said, "Good team. We lost."
On whether he felt like offensive coordinator Matt Miller's playcalls were putting the team in the best positions to succeed, Pinnick said, "It's not for me to say. We just gotta get better."
On Monday, Pinnick led off his news conference addressing that postgame session, which lasted less than two minutes, saying it was "not quite the response that you want."
#offense
1 month ago
Sep. 12—The Washington State offense couldn't get out of its own way and the Cougar defense was ultimately powerless to slow Kansas State's march as the Wildcats rolled to a 34-7 nonconference football victory Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kan.
After going 0-for-11 on third down during the Apple Cup, the Cougars' opening script was encouraging.
Quarterback Caden Pinnick rocketed the rock to junior wide receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy and sophomore running back Maxwell Woods for a pair of first downs on WSU's opening drive, but it would be for naught as Cougar kicker Jack Stevens missed his third field goal of the season — matching the total number of misses from last year.
K-State completely snuffed out the Cougs after that, forcing a turnover on downs, nine punts and a forced fumble over the remainder of the game.
The lone bright spot for Wazzu on Saturday were the heroics of WSU safety Jaylen Thomas, who registered the first two interceptions of his college career.
#Third #downs #kansas #wildcats
After going 0-for-11 on third down during the Apple Cup, the Cougars' opening script was encouraging.
Quarterback Caden Pinnick rocketed the rock to junior wide receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy and sophomore running back Maxwell Woods for a pair of first downs on WSU's opening drive, but it would be for naught as Cougar kicker Jack Stevens missed his third field goal of the season — matching the total number of misses from last year.
K-State completely snuffed out the Cougs after that, forcing a turnover on downs, nine punts and a forced fumble over the remainder of the game.
The lone bright spot for Wazzu on Saturday were the heroics of WSU safety Jaylen Thomas, who registered the first two interceptions of his college career.
#Third #downs #kansas #wildcats
1 month ago
Football
Kansas State (1-0) takes on Washington State (0-1) in the first ever meeting between the schools. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM on Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and the game will be broadcast on TNT. As usual, all these details and much more can be found in Jon Morse's How To Watch post.
In the opener for both teams, Wazzu lost to Washington 24-10 in a much-too-early edition of the Apple Cup. Wazzu struggled on offense, though the score might have been closer if not for a couple of missed field goals and a couple of interceptions by transfer QB Cade Pinnick. Washington State's defense definitely had its moments, however. If you're like me, you probably missed the game in its entirety. Luckily, we have Drew Schneider on hand to break it all down.
The general gist seems to be that Wazzu may not be the best team on the Wildcats' schedule this year, but Kansas State overlooks the Cougars at its own peril. As Collin Klein himself noted, Pinnick can do some damage with his legs and K-State's defense seemed ever-so-slightly suspect against the run in the blowout win over Nicholls. There's also Wazzu's defense to consider, which managed to get a key 4th down stop on the goal line against Washington, thanks to stalwarts like Keith Brown, a linebacker who missed all of last season with injury and is now the teammate's de facto standard bearer.
I don't pay a lot of attention to fan Q&As, but there are some interesting tidbits in Kellis Robinett's weekly mailbag, including that Klein's recruiting philosophy is that every player is merely leasing a roster spot until someone beats them out of it. Competition is constant is apparently CK's mantra. See? There is only football.
#wazzu #missed #defense #ever
Kansas State (1-0) takes on Washington State (0-1) in the first ever meeting between the schools. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 AM on Fort Riley Day at Bill Snyder Family Stadium and the game will be broadcast on TNT. As usual, all these details and much more can be found in Jon Morse's How To Watch post.
In the opener for both teams, Wazzu lost to Washington 24-10 in a much-too-early edition of the Apple Cup. Wazzu struggled on offense, though the score might have been closer if not for a couple of missed field goals and a couple of interceptions by transfer QB Cade Pinnick. Washington State's defense definitely had its moments, however. If you're like me, you probably missed the game in its entirety. Luckily, we have Drew Schneider on hand to break it all down.
The general gist seems to be that Wazzu may not be the best team on the Wildcats' schedule this year, but Kansas State overlooks the Cougars at its own peril. As Collin Klein himself noted, Pinnick can do some damage with his legs and K-State's defense seemed ever-so-slightly suspect against the run in the blowout win over Nicholls. There's also Wazzu's defense to consider, which managed to get a key 4th down stop on the goal line against Washington, thanks to stalwarts like Keith Brown, a linebacker who missed all of last season with injury and is now the teammate's de facto standard bearer.
I don't pay a lot of attention to fan Q&As, but there are some interesting tidbits in Kellis Robinett's weekly mailbag, including that Klein's recruiting philosophy is that every player is merely leasing a roster spot until someone beats them out of it. Competition is constant is apparently CK's mantra. See? There is only football.
#wazzu #missed #defense #ever
1 month ago
The Washington Huskies started three true freshmen on defense in their 24-10 Apple Cup win on Saturday, a fact that surprised some when the two-deep depth chart was released earlier this week. Defensive tackle Derek Colman-Brusa was the No. 158 player in the country and listed as an edge, but was the Huskies' third-highest-rated defensive recruit in the 2026 class.
Edge rusher Ramzak Fruean just barely edged his way into being a four-star as the No. 293 player in the country, but was listed at linebacker and didn't commit until December after a brief pledge to UCLA. Cornerback Jeron Jones was the lowest-rated four-star in the class, clocking in at No. 438, and was the second-highest-rated cornerback in the class.
And yet, Saturday showed why the Huskies haven't been able to keep their freshman trio off the field.
After Fruean jumped offside on a second-and-12 deep in Washington State's territory in the second quarter, he responded with a hit to Washington State quarterback Caden Pinnick's arm that forced an incompletion. On third down, Colman-Brusa came free on a looping rush around the edge and batted Pinnick's pass into the arms of Jones, who returned it 9 yards to put the Huskies on Washington State's 21-yard line.
Washington scored their first touchdown of the season on a 5-yard Demond Williams Jr. run five plays later.
#washington
Edge rusher Ramzak Fruean just barely edged his way into being a four-star as the No. 293 player in the country, but was listed at linebacker and didn't commit until December after a brief pledge to UCLA. Cornerback Jeron Jones was the lowest-rated four-star in the class, clocking in at No. 438, and was the second-highest-rated cornerback in the class.
And yet, Saturday showed why the Huskies haven't been able to keep their freshman trio off the field.
After Fruean jumped offside on a second-and-12 deep in Washington State's territory in the second quarter, he responded with a hit to Washington State quarterback Caden Pinnick's arm that forced an incompletion. On third down, Colman-Brusa came free on a looping rush around the edge and batted Pinnick's pass into the arms of Jones, who returned it 9 yards to put the Huskies on Washington State's 21-yard line.
Washington scored their first touchdown of the season on a 5-yard Demond Williams Jr. run five plays later.
#washington
1 month ago
SEATTLE — Demond Williams Jr. threw for 268 yards and a touchdown, and No. 17 Washington survived offensive struggles for a 24-10 victory over Washington State in a season-opening Apple Cup on Sunday.
Williams also scored on a 5-yard keeper in the 118th meeting of the two teams, who were once both part of the Pac-12. Washington won last year's meeting 59-24 in Pullman.
Transfer Caden Pinnick made his debut as quarterback for the Cougars, throwing for 142 yards and scoring on an 11-yard keeper in the fourth quarter.
Washington State was one of the remaining members of the Pac-12 left after realignment broke apart the conference ahead of the 2024 season. The Cougars and Oregon State helped re-build the conference, which now includes Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State, along with non-football member Gonzaga.
The Huskies, meanwhile, bolted the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. Washington went 9-4 last season with a 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl.
#williams #keeper
Williams also scored on a 5-yard keeper in the 118th meeting of the two teams, who were once both part of the Pac-12. Washington won last year's meeting 59-24 in Pullman.
Transfer Caden Pinnick made his debut as quarterback for the Cougars, throwing for 142 yards and scoring on an 11-yard keeper in the fourth quarter.
Washington State was one of the remaining members of the Pac-12 left after realignment broke apart the conference ahead of the 2024 season. The Cougars and Oregon State helped re-build the conference, which now includes Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State, along with non-football member Gonzaga.
The Huskies, meanwhile, bolted the Pac-12 for the Big Ten. Washington went 9-4 last season with a 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl.
#williams #keeper
1 month ago
If Washington is going to succeed, Demond Williams needs to have a high usage rate as both a passer and runner. He is at his best when he's on the move, and the Huskies are as well. That's my primary takeaway from Washington's frustrating, but earned, season-opening Apple Cup victory.
On the one hand, Washington's performance for most of the afternoon was frustrating because it looked as lethargic as it had at times in the previous two seasons. On the other hand, if you watched other Week 1 games, there were a handful of victorious teams that looked stuck in the mud. None of which battled their in-state rival.
There's a reason Nick Saban referred to headlines as rat poison. Washington was highly regarded throughout the offseason. It kicked off the season with a shiny No. 17 next to its name and is led by a quarterback who many believe could be a Heisman Trophy finalist. Overall, the consensus is that Washington is the popular pick to be 2027's sleeper team. Those elements added to the discomfort of UW's slow start.
Though it eventually gave up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Washington's defense was sensational. It shot itself in the foot by picking up unnecessary penalties, but overall it was dominant. Defensive backs Jeron Jones and Alex McLaughlin both logged interceptions while Isaiah Ward forced a fumble, then recovered it. Washington would've had four takeaways, but Rylon Dillard-Allen picked up a questionable targeting penalty after thumping Wazzu quarterback Caden Pinnick.
Speaking of penalties, UW must be better in that area, without question. Washington racked up 130 penalty yards to Wazzu's 50. Washington had 12 fewer penalty yards than Pinnick had passing.
#washington #frustrating #season #quarterback
On the one hand, Washington's performance for most of the afternoon was frustrating because it looked as lethargic as it had at times in the previous two seasons. On the other hand, if you watched other Week 1 games, there were a handful of victorious teams that looked stuck in the mud. None of which battled their in-state rival.
There's a reason Nick Saban referred to headlines as rat poison. Washington was highly regarded throughout the offseason. It kicked off the season with a shiny No. 17 next to its name and is led by a quarterback who many believe could be a Heisman Trophy finalist. Overall, the consensus is that Washington is the popular pick to be 2027's sleeper team. Those elements added to the discomfort of UW's slow start.
Though it eventually gave up a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Washington's defense was sensational. It shot itself in the foot by picking up unnecessary penalties, but overall it was dominant. Defensive backs Jeron Jones and Alex McLaughlin both logged interceptions while Isaiah Ward forced a fumble, then recovered it. Washington would've had four takeaways, but Rylon Dillard-Allen picked up a questionable targeting penalty after thumping Wazzu quarterback Caden Pinnick.
Speaking of penalties, UW must be better in that area, without question. Washington racked up 130 penalty yards to Wazzu's 50. Washington had 12 fewer penalty yards than Pinnick had passing.
#washington #frustrating #season #quarterback
1 month ago
What channel is Washington vs. Washington State on? Live stream, time, TV schedule to watch Apple Cup game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Washington and Washington State know each other as well as two teams can, but Sunday's matchup will still bring something new.
The 118th Apple Cup will mark the first time the rivals open their seasons against each other in a series that dates to 1901.
The 17th-ranked Huskies will host this year and are hoping to use the game as a springboard to further improvement after taking a big step forward in 2025. Coach Jedd Fisch's second season at the helm saw Washington win three more games than the previous campaign and will look for more this fall as quarterback Demond Williams and other key players return.
The Cougars are also coming off a winning season at 7-6 but have a new coach at the helm in former Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore. He has overhauled the roster with nearly 30 incoming transfers, including new QB Caden Pinnick. The sophomore threw for 3,206 yards and 32 touchdowns last season for UC Davis.
#washington #state
Washington and Washington State know each other as well as two teams can, but Sunday's matchup will still bring something new.
The 118th Apple Cup will mark the first time the rivals open their seasons against each other in a series that dates to 1901.
The 17th-ranked Huskies will host this year and are hoping to use the game as a springboard to further improvement after taking a big step forward in 2025. Coach Jedd Fisch's second season at the helm saw Washington win three more games than the previous campaign and will look for more this fall as quarterback Demond Williams and other key players return.
The Cougars are also coming off a winning season at 7-6 but have a new coach at the helm in former Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore. He has overhauled the roster with nearly 30 incoming transfers, including new QB Caden Pinnick. The sophomore threw for 3,206 yards and 32 touchdowns last season for UC Davis.
#washington #state
1 month ago
Sep. 5—SEATTLE — Heading into Sunday's Apple Cup, Washington State and coach Kirby Moore have said all the right things, have talked about all the right game plans.
The Cougars want to keep Husky quarterback Demond Williams contained in the pocket. Their defense wants to generate pressure on him and disrupt his rhythm. While Washington State's offense wants QB Caden Pinnick to make the correct reads before the snap, and to diagnose the Huskies' defensive schemes.
The Cougars have all the right things in mind. But as Moore said about containing Williams: "It's way easier said than done."
For that reason, we're picking Washington to win the 118th Apple Cup No. 118 in relatively comfortable fashion, dispatching an upstart WSU club with a first-year head coach in Moore. The Huskies are just too talented, too deep, and too savvy to lose an Apple Cup at Husky Stadium for the first time since 2021.
For WSU, one of the bigger challenges will involve running the ball against UW's defense, which is one way the Cougars could ease Pinnick into the game. The only problem for WSU is that many of the offensive linemen at the center of the operation, like center Noah Dunham and guards Kyle Martin and Nick Bakken, will be playing some of their first snaps of college football.
#washington #moore #cougars #huskies
The Cougars want to keep Husky quarterback Demond Williams contained in the pocket. Their defense wants to generate pressure on him and disrupt his rhythm. While Washington State's offense wants QB Caden Pinnick to make the correct reads before the snap, and to diagnose the Huskies' defensive schemes.
The Cougars have all the right things in mind. But as Moore said about containing Williams: "It's way easier said than done."
For that reason, we're picking Washington to win the 118th Apple Cup No. 118 in relatively comfortable fashion, dispatching an upstart WSU club with a first-year head coach in Moore. The Huskies are just too talented, too deep, and too savvy to lose an Apple Cup at Husky Stadium for the first time since 2021.
For WSU, one of the bigger challenges will involve running the ball against UW's defense, which is one way the Cougars could ease Pinnick into the game. The only problem for WSU is that many of the offensive linemen at the center of the operation, like center Noah Dunham and guards Kyle Martin and Nick Bakken, will be playing some of their first snaps of college football.
#washington #moore #cougars #huskies
1 month ago
It's not Thanksgiving and it's not the Apple Cup of old. The Dawgs and Cougs will kick off the '26 season by renewing their rivalry at Husky Stadium. WSU is part of the new-look Pac-12 with a new-look roster and a new-looking coaching staff. Kirby Moore arrives for his first head coaching job after serving as an Offensive Coordinator at Missouri and Fresno St. They welcome QB Caden Pinnick from Cal-Davis. The combination of Moore and Pinnick give WSU a good foundation for the offense. However, they did lose a lot of players in the transfer portal, particularly to Iowa St, where former coach Jimmy Rogers took over. It has only been three years since UW went to the Big 10, but the talent on each roster shows how much the talent has diverged in that time.
The game will kick off at 1:00 PM PT from Husky Stadium. It will air on NBC with Paul Burmeister, Yogi Roth, and Zora Stephenson on the call. It will stream via the NBC Sports app. It will also be the debut of new UW Football PBP voice Elise Woodward. Cam Cleeland will join her in the booth on KJR 93.3.
This is your thread to discuss all things UW and Apple Cup. Go Dawgs!
#moore #roster #Coaching
The game will kick off at 1:00 PM PT from Husky Stadium. It will air on NBC with Paul Burmeister, Yogi Roth, and Zora Stephenson on the call. It will stream via the NBC Sports app. It will also be the debut of new UW Football PBP voice Elise Woodward. Cam Cleeland will join her in the booth on KJR 93.3.
This is your thread to discuss all things UW and Apple Cup. Go Dawgs!
#moore #roster #Coaching
1 month ago
On Day 9 of this countdown, Collin O'Meara took you back in time to fill out the 2026 roster with one player from Huskies history. I have procured use of Mr. O'Meara's Delorean, but I'm not looking to the past, I'm headed back… to the future!
If you want to be surprised by each UW game this year, I don't blame you, but you should stop reading now. The time machine allowed me to see the actual results of each game, down to the final score. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring back a sports almanac from the future for betting purposes, so I can only give you a high-level summary of each result.
UW 38 – WSU 17. The Kirby Moore era gets off to a barely passable start for WSU as Caden Pinnick makes a few big plays against a new look Husky secondary. The Dawgs also pick him off two times and are able to turn things over to the second-string offense for the fourth quarter. UW totals over 200 rushing yards, with Williams, Carr, and Limar each going over 50 yards.
UW 48 – Utah St 14. Week 1 gave the Huskies a solid, definitive victory, but it wasn't such a beatdown that the Dawgs truly made a statement. In Week 2, they resolved to do exactly that. After focusing on the run game against the Cougs, Williams and Fisch decide to air it out to the tune of four passing TDs, including a pair of TD receptions for Decker DeGraaf.
UW 55 – EWU 10. Not content with the style points accumulated against Utah St., the Dawgs set out to establish themselves as a heavyweight against their cross-state FCS opponent. This year's Eagles are not one of the best squads they have put together, and the Dawgs made that clear with 38 points in the first half. Roebuck got things started with a long TD catch on the first offensive possession and UW never looked back.
#huskies #time #things
If you want to be surprised by each UW game this year, I don't blame you, but you should stop reading now. The time machine allowed me to see the actual results of each game, down to the final score. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring back a sports almanac from the future for betting purposes, so I can only give you a high-level summary of each result.
UW 38 – WSU 17. The Kirby Moore era gets off to a barely passable start for WSU as Caden Pinnick makes a few big plays against a new look Husky secondary. The Dawgs also pick him off two times and are able to turn things over to the second-string offense for the fourth quarter. UW totals over 200 rushing yards, with Williams, Carr, and Limar each going over 50 yards.
UW 48 – Utah St 14. Week 1 gave the Huskies a solid, definitive victory, but it wasn't such a beatdown that the Dawgs truly made a statement. In Week 2, they resolved to do exactly that. After focusing on the run game against the Cougs, Williams and Fisch decide to air it out to the tune of four passing TDs, including a pair of TD receptions for Decker DeGraaf.
UW 55 – EWU 10. Not content with the style points accumulated against Utah St., the Dawgs set out to establish themselves as a heavyweight against their cross-state FCS opponent. This year's Eagles are not one of the best squads they have put together, and the Dawgs made that clear with 38 points in the first half. Roebuck got things started with a long TD catch on the first offensive possession and UW never looked back.
#huskies #time #things
1 month ago
Washington's defense will defend against a familiar quarterback but in a much different situation on Sunday afternoon. Caden Pinnick will line up under center for Washington State. The former FCS Freshman All-American at UC Davis started for the Aggies inside Husky Stadium exactly one year earlier on September 6th, 2025.
"I don't think the representation of him playing against us a year ago in a different system at a different school is something that we can really pay attention to," defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said of Pinnick during the final week of Fall camp. He followed that up with additional comments on Tuesday of game week. "It's a completely different player when you're surrounded by a different environment," Walters noted. "[Pinnick] has athleticism to extend plays with his legs and is accurate when he has a clean pocket and can deliver the ball. [He's a] good player, which is why he was able to earn a starting job at Wazzu."
Pinnick started every game last year for the Aggies, including that game at Washington. Walters' defense held him to just 50 yards passing with one touchdown and an interception that Saturday night. But in total, Pinnick tossed for over 3,200 yards on the season with 32 touchdowns and an additional 437 yards on the ground. Walters knows the caliber of athlete he's up against for the second-straight season.
"[Pinnick] is a cerebral guy that can move around, extend plays with his legs, and he's accurate when he throws the football," Walters said. And during his first Monday press conference of the season, Jedd Fisch shared similar thoughts on the athleticism Pinnick brings to the position.
"He made a lot of plays with his feet, with his arm," Fisch recalled from studying Pinnick at UC Davis last year. "I remember, I think they were playing Mercer, that he made some unbelievable plays that I was very impressed."
#plays #season #washington #davis
"I don't think the representation of him playing against us a year ago in a different system at a different school is something that we can really pay attention to," defensive coordinator Ryan Walters said of Pinnick during the final week of Fall camp. He followed that up with additional comments on Tuesday of game week. "It's a completely different player when you're surrounded by a different environment," Walters noted. "[Pinnick] has athleticism to extend plays with his legs and is accurate when he has a clean pocket and can deliver the ball. [He's a] good player, which is why he was able to earn a starting job at Wazzu."
Pinnick started every game last year for the Aggies, including that game at Washington. Walters' defense held him to just 50 yards passing with one touchdown and an interception that Saturday night. But in total, Pinnick tossed for over 3,200 yards on the season with 32 touchdowns and an additional 437 yards on the ground. Walters knows the caliber of athlete he's up against for the second-straight season.
"[Pinnick] is a cerebral guy that can move around, extend plays with his legs, and he's accurate when he throws the football," Walters said. And during his first Monday press conference of the season, Jedd Fisch shared similar thoughts on the athleticism Pinnick brings to the position.
"He made a lot of plays with his feet, with his arm," Fisch recalled from studying Pinnick at UC Davis last year. "I remember, I think they were playing Mercer, that he made some unbelievable plays that I was very impressed."
#plays #season #washington #davis
1 month ago
Aug. 31—PULLMAN — Ahead of the first season-opening Apple Cup, set for Sunday afternoon in Seattle, Washington State is electing not to release a depth chart.
Cougar coach Kirby Moore indicated as much on Monday, saying that heading into the games to follow the rest of the season, the team expects to post two-deeps.
So in the meantime, The Spokesman-Review is publishing a projection of WSU's two-deep, which is based on observations from the team's 15 fall camp practices and interviews with coaches and players this August. The program has only confirmed one player as a starter, quarterback Caden Pinnick.
First, a couple housekeeping notes...
—The only players expected to be sidelined by injuries for Sunday's game are tight ends Trey Leckner and Hudson Cedarland, Moore said. Leckner is set to miss the first half of the season, while Cedarland will be out "an extended period of time," according to Moore.
#season #cedarland #pullman
Cougar coach Kirby Moore indicated as much on Monday, saying that heading into the games to follow the rest of the season, the team expects to post two-deeps.
So in the meantime, The Spokesman-Review is publishing a projection of WSU's two-deep, which is based on observations from the team's 15 fall camp practices and interviews with coaches and players this August. The program has only confirmed one player as a starter, quarterback Caden Pinnick.
First, a couple housekeeping notes...
—The only players expected to be sidelined by injuries for Sunday's game are tight ends Trey Leckner and Hudson Cedarland, Moore said. Leckner is set to miss the first half of the season, while Cedarland will be out "an extended period of time," according to Moore.
#season #cedarland #pullman
2 months ago
Aug. 26—PULLMAN — Since his arrival in Pullman from UC Davis eight months ago, two goals have been top of mind for Washington State's newly announced starting quarterback Caden Pinnick.
"Beat the team across the west and go get that Pac-12 championship," Pinnick said following WSU's Tuesday practice at Gesa Field, his first since being named a starter on Monday. "(That's) something that I echoed very clearly. I think we have a lot of guys here that feel the same way, offense and defense. They want it."
That's a pretty high bar for a sophomore starter to set, but Pinnick, last year's Big Sky Freshman of the Year, may have the work ethic to back it up.
Pinnick will get a chance to check off that first box during a unique Seattle Apple Cup at 1 p.m. Sept. 6 at the University of Washington.
"He's a really good learner in all aspects," said first-year WSU coach Kirby Moore, who also said it "was pretty dang cool" seeing Pinnick in WSU's academic center early Monday morning on the first day of school. "We talk about doing more than what's expected, so the (practice) film is going to be up here in about 20 minutes, and I'm sure he'll be watching it and texting his coaches and asking questions about the good things and maybe the ones that we can learn from."
#pinnick #first #year #starter
"Beat the team across the west and go get that Pac-12 championship," Pinnick said following WSU's Tuesday practice at Gesa Field, his first since being named a starter on Monday. "(That's) something that I echoed very clearly. I think we have a lot of guys here that feel the same way, offense and defense. They want it."
That's a pretty high bar for a sophomore starter to set, but Pinnick, last year's Big Sky Freshman of the Year, may have the work ethic to back it up.
Pinnick will get a chance to check off that first box during a unique Seattle Apple Cup at 1 p.m. Sept. 6 at the University of Washington.
"He's a really good learner in all aspects," said first-year WSU coach Kirby Moore, who also said it "was pretty dang cool" seeing Pinnick in WSU's academic center early Monday morning on the first day of school. "We talk about doing more than what's expected, so the (practice) film is going to be up here in about 20 minutes, and I'm sure he'll be watching it and texting his coaches and asking questions about the good things and maybe the ones that we can learn from."
#pinnick #first #year #starter
2 months ago
Aug. 24—PULLMAN — Washington State's starting quarterback for this season is in place.
The Cougars will start UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick, the program announced on social media Monday afternoon, ending a quarterback battle with returners Julian Dugger and Owen Eshelman that spanned from spring practice to fall camp, which wrapped up Sunday evening.
A redshirt sophomore, Pinnick earned the reins thanks to a solid fall camp, in which he earned first-team reps across nearly all 15 practices. He had been atop the Cougs' QB rotation since the first week of practice, showing accuracy and impressive athleticism to scramble from the pocket in 11-on-11 settings.
Pinnick won't get much of an easy runway into his tenure with the Cougs. WSU's season opener is set for Sept. 6 at No. 17 Washington, whose defense limited Pinnick to 8 for 16 passing for 50 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a matchup with UC Davis last season.
Also early on WSU's schedule are games against Big 12 opponents Kansas State and Arizona, the first on the road and the second at home.
#davis
The Cougars will start UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick, the program announced on social media Monday afternoon, ending a quarterback battle with returners Julian Dugger and Owen Eshelman that spanned from spring practice to fall camp, which wrapped up Sunday evening.
A redshirt sophomore, Pinnick earned the reins thanks to a solid fall camp, in which he earned first-team reps across nearly all 15 practices. He had been atop the Cougs' QB rotation since the first week of practice, showing accuracy and impressive athleticism to scramble from the pocket in 11-on-11 settings.
Pinnick won't get much of an easy runway into his tenure with the Cougs. WSU's season opener is set for Sept. 6 at No. 17 Washington, whose defense limited Pinnick to 8 for 16 passing for 50 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a matchup with UC Davis last season.
Also early on WSU's schedule are games against Big 12 opponents Kansas State and Arizona, the first on the road and the second at home.
#davis
2 months ago
On the first day of classes in Pullman, WSU announced its starting quarterback: UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick. Many people thought Pinnick was the favorite to win the starting job the minute he stepped on campus, but meaningful separation wasn't made until later in fall camp.
Pinnick will bring a level of dynamism that the Cougars became accustomed to with Jayden de Laura, Cam Ward, and John Mateer. Offensive coordinator Matt Miller will look to leverage Pinnick's elite running ability to create better opportunities for his returning running backs. Last season, when Zevi Eckhaus took over for Jaxon Potter, we saw how much that opened up the run game for Kirby Vorhees, as defenses had to respect Zevi's running ability.
Pinnick turned in an incredible season at FCS UC Davis last year, putting up over 3,200 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. Not to mention 437 yards rushing. Obviously, Pinnick will be making the jump to a higher level of football, but there is no reason to think he can't make that transition in Washington State's offense.
Pinnick was the runner-up for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in the FCS, was the unanimous 2025 Big Sky Freshman of the Year, and earned FCS first-team Freshman All-American honors.
Spring and fall haven't been quite as clean as offensive coordinator Matt Miller might have liked, but as time went along, Pinnick began to take more control of the offense and show his experience. However, it is important to point out that these internal camps greatly favor the defenses, who know your tendencies, and coaches (especially ones as good as Trent Bray) often know what plays are coming.
#pinnick #running #davis
Pinnick will bring a level of dynamism that the Cougars became accustomed to with Jayden de Laura, Cam Ward, and John Mateer. Offensive coordinator Matt Miller will look to leverage Pinnick's elite running ability to create better opportunities for his returning running backs. Last season, when Zevi Eckhaus took over for Jaxon Potter, we saw how much that opened up the run game for Kirby Vorhees, as defenses had to respect Zevi's running ability.
Pinnick turned in an incredible season at FCS UC Davis last year, putting up over 3,200 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. Not to mention 437 yards rushing. Obviously, Pinnick will be making the jump to a higher level of football, but there is no reason to think he can't make that transition in Washington State's offense.
Pinnick was the runner-up for the Jerry Rice Award, given to the top freshman in the FCS, was the unanimous 2025 Big Sky Freshman of the Year, and earned FCS first-team Freshman All-American honors.
Spring and fall haven't been quite as clean as offensive coordinator Matt Miller might have liked, but as time went along, Pinnick began to take more control of the offense and show his experience. However, it is important to point out that these internal camps greatly favor the defenses, who know your tendencies, and coaches (especially ones as good as Trent Bray) often know what plays are coming.
#pinnick #running #davis
2 months ago
As per tradition, our annual 30 Day Countdown to the season here on UWDP features a few days where we look ahead and try to preview our schedule and the opponents we'll face this season. Today, we'll be looking at the schedule to circle which opponent might have the best offense that we'll face. In my opinion, there's really only a few that stand out from an otherwise middling group of offenses on our 2026 slate.
As a refresher for those who might not have committed our schedule to memory, here's our 2026 opponents:
Generally speaking, our non-conference opponents don't really wow me when it comes to offensive firepower. Wazzu has a solid offensive mind at the helm in Kirby Moore, and transfer QB Caden Pinnick finished last season as one of the top QBs in FCS. However, the Cougs are rebuilding from scratch for the second year in a row under a new staff, and UW's defense made Pinnick a non-factor last year when UC Davis came to Montlake, so it's unlikely that they will be among the best offenses we'll face.
Utah State might be a bit frisky on offense under Bronco Mendenhall and OC Robert Anae. Anae, a long time Mendenhall **** istant across various stops including BYU and Virginia, is a well-respected offensive mind. His offenses often feature dynamic dual threat QBs and a diverse run game that has long-served as an equalizer against more talented opponents, but I'm still not sold on them being among the best overall offenses we'll face.
USC has always been talented, and they've been particularly dangerous on offense under Lincoln Riley. However, this season might be different for the Trojans. Their roster-building strategy took a noticeable shift over the last 18 months, culminating in a 42-man, #1 ranked 2026 class. At first glance, the sheer volume of incoming players stand out, but a deeper dive points to a wholesale shift in how they want to build this roster and why there's so much turnover heading into year 6. The Trojans want to reload the trenches.
#we 'll #might #offenses #best
As a refresher for those who might not have committed our schedule to memory, here's our 2026 opponents:
Generally speaking, our non-conference opponents don't really wow me when it comes to offensive firepower. Wazzu has a solid offensive mind at the helm in Kirby Moore, and transfer QB Caden Pinnick finished last season as one of the top QBs in FCS. However, the Cougs are rebuilding from scratch for the second year in a row under a new staff, and UW's defense made Pinnick a non-factor last year when UC Davis came to Montlake, so it's unlikely that they will be among the best offenses we'll face.
Utah State might be a bit frisky on offense under Bronco Mendenhall and OC Robert Anae. Anae, a long time Mendenhall **** istant across various stops including BYU and Virginia, is a well-respected offensive mind. His offenses often feature dynamic dual threat QBs and a diverse run game that has long-served as an equalizer against more talented opponents, but I'm still not sold on them being among the best overall offenses we'll face.
USC has always been talented, and they've been particularly dangerous on offense under Lincoln Riley. However, this season might be different for the Trojans. Their roster-building strategy took a noticeable shift over the last 18 months, culminating in a 42-man, #1 ranked 2026 class. At first glance, the sheer volume of incoming players stand out, but a deeper dive points to a wholesale shift in how they want to build this roster and why there's so much turnover heading into year 6. The Trojans want to reload the trenches.
#we 'll #might #offenses #best
2 months ago
Aug. 20—PULLMAN — Somehow, in the blink of an eye, Washington State has all but wrapped up fall camp.
After going through a gameday walk-through on Thursday morning, technically speaking the Cougars' 13th practice of fall camp, they have just two more to go: A second and final scrimmage on Friday, then a practice on Sunday evening to complete the 15-session slate.
Across the last two weeks, WSU has solidified almost all positions on both sides of the ball, even if coaches are reticent to acknowledge how they have unfolded in public settings. They have been loath to detail the QB race, for example, but all signs point toward UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick getting the starting nod over returners Julian Dugger and Owen Eshelman. And their starting defensive ends will be Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk, transfers from Idaho and Vanderbilt, respectively.
In fact, even with two more practices ahead of them, the Cougars have likely established their starting lineups. It's possible many of those players don't play the entirety of Friday's scrimmage, set for 11 a.m. at Gesa Field, for rest and injury-prevention reasons.
So what will they get out of the scrimmage, and what will their final practice of camp entail? Details on the latter have yet to materialize, but here are a few guesses at questions head coach Kirby Moore and **** istants might look to answer on Friday morning.
#fall #even
After going through a gameday walk-through on Thursday morning, technically speaking the Cougars' 13th practice of fall camp, they have just two more to go: A second and final scrimmage on Friday, then a practice on Sunday evening to complete the 15-session slate.
Across the last two weeks, WSU has solidified almost all positions on both sides of the ball, even if coaches are reticent to acknowledge how they have unfolded in public settings. They have been loath to detail the QB race, for example, but all signs point toward UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick getting the starting nod over returners Julian Dugger and Owen Eshelman. And their starting defensive ends will be Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk, transfers from Idaho and Vanderbilt, respectively.
In fact, even with two more practices ahead of them, the Cougars have likely established their starting lineups. It's possible many of those players don't play the entirety of Friday's scrimmage, set for 11 a.m. at Gesa Field, for rest and injury-prevention reasons.
So what will they get out of the scrimmage, and what will their final practice of camp entail? Details on the latter have yet to materialize, but here are a few guesses at questions head coach Kirby Moore and **** istants might look to answer on Friday morning.
#fall #even
2 months ago
Aug. 18—PULLMAN — When ever the opposing quarterback drops back, it's not a matter of if Washington State defensive ends Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk will sack the signal-caller.
It's a matter of which one will get there first.
This was the case Monday during the Cougar football team's 10th practice of fall camp. McLain appeared to have the edge to open the week, whipping past left tackle Ashton Tripp to tally a simulated sack of sophomore quarterback Caden Pinnick; then doing it again on the very next snap.
McLain, the Priest River, Idaho native who spent the past three years eight miles east with the Idaho Vandals, has been a star of WSU's spring and fall camps — much to the delight of his coaches and perhaps to the annoyance of the offensive linemen he tries again and again.
Tripp has frequently been opposite McLain. The two have tested one another, WSU coach Kirby Moore said.
#mclain #idaho #matter #sack
It's a matter of which one will get there first.
This was the case Monday during the Cougar football team's 10th practice of fall camp. McLain appeared to have the edge to open the week, whipping past left tackle Ashton Tripp to tally a simulated sack of sophomore quarterback Caden Pinnick; then doing it again on the very next snap.
McLain, the Priest River, Idaho native who spent the past three years eight miles east with the Idaho Vandals, has been a star of WSU's spring and fall camps — much to the delight of his coaches and perhaps to the annoyance of the offensive linemen he tries again and again.
Tripp has frequently been opposite McLain. The two have tested one another, WSU coach Kirby Moore said.
#mclain #idaho #matter #sack
2 months ago
Aug. 8—PULLMAN — At first there was only silence, the kind of anticipatory stillness that can only mean something breathtaking is on the horizon. Washington State players from both sidelines, offensive players in crimson on the far end and defenders in white on the near side, held their breath as the ball fell back toward the earth, toward the corner of the end zone, where junior wideout Branden Ganashamoorthy was jockeying for position on a pass from quarterback Caden Pinnick.
The ball was a hair underthrown, so Ganashamoorthy adjusted his route accordingly, positioning himself against veteran cornerback Khamari Terrell. He let the ball hit him in the right arm, then cradled it against his body, securing it in the process. He stumbled forward with the ball intact, a one-handed catch.
Cougar players met the moment, perhaps the top individual highlight of WSU fall camp, which wrapped up its third day on Saturday afternoon. Ganashamoorthy jumped in the air with running back Maxwell Woods. He high fived receiver Tony Freeman. "Yeah, BG!"
"He's really progressed since spring ball," WSU coach Kirby Moore said.
Ganashamoorthy made that abundantly clear on Saturday, enjoying by far his best day of fall camp, perhaps the best individual day any of these Cougars have had thus far. On top of his long touchdown reception in one team period, he also made one sliding catch and two more touchdown receptions in 7-on-7 settings, putting on display the physical transformation that might have unlocked his sterling afternoon.
#perhaps
The ball was a hair underthrown, so Ganashamoorthy adjusted his route accordingly, positioning himself against veteran cornerback Khamari Terrell. He let the ball hit him in the right arm, then cradled it against his body, securing it in the process. He stumbled forward with the ball intact, a one-handed catch.
Cougar players met the moment, perhaps the top individual highlight of WSU fall camp, which wrapped up its third day on Saturday afternoon. Ganashamoorthy jumped in the air with running back Maxwell Woods. He high fived receiver Tony Freeman. "Yeah, BG!"
"He's really progressed since spring ball," WSU coach Kirby Moore said.
Ganashamoorthy made that abundantly clear on Saturday, enjoying by far his best day of fall camp, perhaps the best individual day any of these Cougars have had thus far. On top of his long touchdown reception in one team period, he also made one sliding catch and two more touchdown receptions in 7-on-7 settings, putting on display the physical transformation that might have unlocked his sterling afternoon.
#perhaps
