12 hours ago
Aug. 16—PULLMAN — Maxwell Woods is no stranger to opportunity.
The sophomore Washington State running back seized the day in December, racking up 152 all-purpose yards on Boise's blue turf in a Potato Bowl victory over Utah State.
Woods again stole the show in April, emerging as one of the finer performers in several spring scrimmages.
So his performance Saturday — during WSU's first of two fall camp scrimmages at Gesa Field — was hardly a surprise.
With teammate Kirby Vorhees sidelined but expected back next week, Woods stepped right up, carving out runs of 16 and 13 yards, respectively, within the scrimmage's first three plays with the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense. Woods finished with an unofficial seven carries for 34 yards.
#scrimmages
The sophomore Washington State running back seized the day in December, racking up 152 all-purpose yards on Boise's blue turf in a Potato Bowl victory over Utah State.
Woods again stole the show in April, emerging as one of the finer performers in several spring scrimmages.
So his performance Saturday — during WSU's first of two fall camp scrimmages at Gesa Field — was hardly a surprise.
With teammate Kirby Vorhees sidelined but expected back next week, Woods stepped right up, carving out runs of 16 and 13 yards, respectively, within the scrimmage's first three plays with the No. 1 offense against the No. 1 defense. Woods finished with an unofficial seven carries for 34 yards.
#scrimmages
1 day ago
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Kaia Gerber has her dinner-date style down. The model-turned-actor, who recently starred in the 1980s-based serial-killer drama The Shards, shed her character's neon colors and voluminous hair for a low-key night out with her boyfriend, Lewis Pullman.
EVGA - BACKGRID
The two kept things classic and timeless for the outing. Gerber, who has long been known to love a little black dress and her Repetto ballerinas, layered a long trench coat over a sleeveless midi. Her go-to ballet flats, which she designed in collaboration with the label, offered a soft suede feel and a slight subtle lift. She draped a chocolate-brown sweater over her shoulders, added some sunglasses, and finished things off with a pop of color, thanks to her cobalt-blue Chanel shoulder bag.
Next to her, Pullman matched his girlfriend's blues with his jacket and T-shirt. He styled them both with white jeans and a baseball cap, and grabbed her hand as they made their way to the Los Angeles restaurant.
#pullman #long #magazines #lewis
Kaia Gerber has her dinner-date style down. The model-turned-actor, who recently starred in the 1980s-based serial-killer drama The Shards, shed her character's neon colors and voluminous hair for a low-key night out with her boyfriend, Lewis Pullman.
EVGA - BACKGRID
The two kept things classic and timeless for the outing. Gerber, who has long been known to love a little black dress and her Repetto ballerinas, layered a long trench coat over a sleeveless midi. Her go-to ballet flats, which she designed in collaboration with the label, offered a soft suede feel and a slight subtle lift. She draped a chocolate-brown sweater over her shoulders, added some sunglasses, and finished things off with a pop of color, thanks to her cobalt-blue Chanel shoulder bag.
Next to her, Pullman matched his girlfriend's blues with his jacket and T-shirt. He styled them both with white jeans and a baseball cap, and grabbed her hand as they made their way to the Los Angeles restaurant.
#pullman #long #magazines #lewis
5 days ago
Aug. 11—PULLMAN — When it's at its best, when players are zigging and zagging and swimming and powering through, Washington State's defensive line can look like a tidal wave. The Cougars can overwhelm anyone in their way, offensive linemen from the first or second team, tight ends staying in for extra protection, poor running backs trying their best to chip block to buy their quarterback a half-second of time.
They come crashing from all angles. Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk from the edges, Paul Hutson and Kaden Beatty and Jirah Leaupepetele from the interior, all surging forward to crash toward the quarterback like a tsunami leveling a city square. It isn't so much about if they'll force the offense into a mistake. It's more about when.
That group made its presence felt in Tuesday's fall camp practice, WSU's fifth of the slate, terrorizing all manner of offensive counterparts in the second half of practice, which unfolded at Gesa Field. Highlights belonged to all kinds of linemen: Leaupepetele beat his matchup to stack up several inside runs, as did fellow lineman Malachi Wrice, and on one sequence, a sea of Cougars converged to drive running back Leo Pulalasi backward for a loss.
And that's to say nothing of one succession of plays in particular. On three straight plays in 11-on-11 settings, quarterback Julian Dugger took three straight sacks: one from cornerback Ishmael Gibbs, who cashed in on a well-designed cornerback blitz; one from emerging defensive tackle Josh Wedel; and one from redshirt freshman defensive tackle Malijah Tucker. Each defender beat his matchups up front to surge into the backfield for simulated tackles.
It was by far the best day of fall camp for WSU's defensive front, which might be the deepest position on the team. On Tuesday, the Cougars got big plays from Leaupepetele, Wrice, Wedel and Tucker, but as camp unfolds and the season approaches, they've gotten the same from Hutson, SMU transfer Damarjhe Lewis, Balaam Miller and others.
#camp #plays #wrice
They come crashing from all angles. Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk from the edges, Paul Hutson and Kaden Beatty and Jirah Leaupepetele from the interior, all surging forward to crash toward the quarterback like a tsunami leveling a city square. It isn't so much about if they'll force the offense into a mistake. It's more about when.
That group made its presence felt in Tuesday's fall camp practice, WSU's fifth of the slate, terrorizing all manner of offensive counterparts in the second half of practice, which unfolded at Gesa Field. Highlights belonged to all kinds of linemen: Leaupepetele beat his matchup to stack up several inside runs, as did fellow lineman Malachi Wrice, and on one sequence, a sea of Cougars converged to drive running back Leo Pulalasi backward for a loss.
And that's to say nothing of one succession of plays in particular. On three straight plays in 11-on-11 settings, quarterback Julian Dugger took three straight sacks: one from cornerback Ishmael Gibbs, who cashed in on a well-designed cornerback blitz; one from emerging defensive tackle Josh Wedel; and one from redshirt freshman defensive tackle Malijah Tucker. Each defender beat his matchups up front to surge into the backfield for simulated tackles.
It was by far the best day of fall camp for WSU's defensive front, which might be the deepest position on the team. On Tuesday, the Cougars got big plays from Leaupepetele, Wrice, Wedel and Tucker, but as camp unfolds and the season approaches, they've gotten the same from Hutson, SMU transfer Damarjhe Lewis, Balaam Miller and others.
#camp #plays #wrice
5 days ago
Aug. 11—PULLMAN — It was a quick trip to Pullman for Ryan Leaf and his USA Network colleagues on Monday.
The less than 24 hour-trip provided little time to hit up some of Leaf's favorite eateries — that will come in the fall, Leaf said, when the crew finds itself in town for some of the industry-high 22 Pac-12 football games on its broadcast schedule.
However, the trip provided plenty of time for USA Sports' "A team" of Leaf, serving as the network's lead in-game ***** yst for Pac-12 football, play-by-play broadcaster Nate Gatter and sideline reporter Lauren Green to spend the day with the Washington State Cougars and ... visit Leaf's former residence.
There, his colleagues had a question for him.
"'How did you fit four football players in that small house?' We were college kids; we weren't making any money at the time, right? So we had to stay wherever we could stay," said Leaf, a three-year Cougar quarterback and No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. "I just needed a bed to sleep at night after working hard at the facility. Showed them those places and then campus — it's a special campus up on the hill."
#stay
The less than 24 hour-trip provided little time to hit up some of Leaf's favorite eateries — that will come in the fall, Leaf said, when the crew finds itself in town for some of the industry-high 22 Pac-12 football games on its broadcast schedule.
However, the trip provided plenty of time for USA Sports' "A team" of Leaf, serving as the network's lead in-game ***** yst for Pac-12 football, play-by-play broadcaster Nate Gatter and sideline reporter Lauren Green to spend the day with the Washington State Cougars and ... visit Leaf's former residence.
There, his colleagues had a question for him.
"'How did you fit four football players in that small house?' We were college kids; we weren't making any money at the time, right? So we had to stay wherever we could stay," said Leaf, a three-year Cougar quarterback and No. 2 overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. "I just needed a bed to sleep at night after working hard at the facility. Showed them those places and then campus — it's a special campus up on the hill."
#stay
6 days ago
Aug. 10—PULLMAN — Jeremiah Bernard left his feet and dove like he was Superman about to snuff out a local crime. The ball had just left the hands of Owen Eshelman, one of three Washington State quarterbacks vying for starting duties, and it was headed for a receiver toward the sideline of Rogers Practice Field.
It never made it there. Bernard made sure of that, roving over from the safety position and laying out to break up the pass, a feat of athleticism and football savvy. He leapt to his feet in a second, in a heartbeat, the moment's adrenaline propping him back up as quickly as he had soared through the air.
"The guys that we brought in, we're hoping they're gonna be what they are," WSU safeties coach Greg Burns said, "and they're working their **** s off."
A transfer from FCS Cal Poly, Bernard certainly fits that bill, a junior safety who is well on his way to earning a starting role in the Cougs' secondary this fall. Bernard, 6-foot and 196 pounds, doesn't just look the part. He plays like it too, making plays like that seem routine, like they're just in his bag.
How does Bernard fit into WSU's defense? For one, he's a face in a crowded WSU safety room, which also includes San Jose State transfer Jaylen Thomas, Arizona transfer Jshawn Frausto-Ramos and Arizona State transfer Jack Bal. That's without mention ing returners like Kyle Peterson and Kayo Patu, both of whom could also secure roles on this year's defense.
#bernard #like #they 're #starting
It never made it there. Bernard made sure of that, roving over from the safety position and laying out to break up the pass, a feat of athleticism and football savvy. He leapt to his feet in a second, in a heartbeat, the moment's adrenaline propping him back up as quickly as he had soared through the air.
"The guys that we brought in, we're hoping they're gonna be what they are," WSU safeties coach Greg Burns said, "and they're working their **** s off."
A transfer from FCS Cal Poly, Bernard certainly fits that bill, a junior safety who is well on his way to earning a starting role in the Cougs' secondary this fall. Bernard, 6-foot and 196 pounds, doesn't just look the part. He plays like it too, making plays like that seem routine, like they're just in his bag.
How does Bernard fit into WSU's defense? For one, he's a face in a crowded WSU safety room, which also includes San Jose State transfer Jaylen Thomas, Arizona transfer Jshawn Frausto-Ramos and Arizona State transfer Jack Bal. That's without mention ing returners like Kyle Peterson and Kayo Patu, both of whom could also secure roles on this year's defense.
#bernard #like #they 're #starting
8 days 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
8 days ago
Aug. 8—PULLMAN — "Saaaack, saaaack, saaaack."
Like the flock of seagulls from Pixar's "Finding Nemo," that chant started with one voice, and grew to many on the defensive sideline during Day 2 of the Washington State football team's fall camp Friday at Rogers Field.
During one of the 11-on-11 team periods, redshirt freshman quarterback Owen Eshelman stood in the pocket for perhaps a bit too long. As WSU defenders burst into the backfield, Eshelman fired a pass to junior wide receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy.
Following the completion, defensive linemen Kaden Beatty and Jirah Leaupepetele shared a differing opinion of the outcome of the play, advocating for and celebrating a would-be simulated sack by chanting "saaaack."
Soon other defenders followed, breaking out into a chorus of "saaaack, saaaack, saaaack."
#saaaack #state
Like the flock of seagulls from Pixar's "Finding Nemo," that chant started with one voice, and grew to many on the defensive sideline during Day 2 of the Washington State football team's fall camp Friday at Rogers Field.
During one of the 11-on-11 team periods, redshirt freshman quarterback Owen Eshelman stood in the pocket for perhaps a bit too long. As WSU defenders burst into the backfield, Eshelman fired a pass to junior wide receiver Branden Ganashamoorthy.
Following the completion, defensive linemen Kaden Beatty and Jirah Leaupepetele shared a differing opinion of the outcome of the play, advocating for and celebrating a would-be simulated sack by chanting "saaaack."
Soon other defenders followed, breaking out into a chorus of "saaaack, saaaack, saaaack."
#saaaack #state
14 days ago
Aug. 2—Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of stories that will run each day previewing Washington State's preseason camp before it begins on Aug. 6. This edition covers the Cougars' cornerbacks.
PULLMAN — When September rolls around and Washington State players take the field at Husky Stadium to take on rival Washington, and when the Cougars' defense rolls out, good luck recognizing any of the players in the visitors' secondary.
That's because among the 32 transfers WSU landed over the offseason, several of them play cornerback, a position at which the Cougs desperately needed to restock. Head coach Kirby Moore and staff did well to do so, likely using connections like new safeties coach Greg Burns and cornerbacks coach Brandyn Thompson to land a couple players.
But who are the new guys in this position group? And how might they fare this fall?
Players who will be vying for starting jobs include Texas State transfer Khamari Terrell, Oregon State transfer Jalil Tucker, Cal Poly transfer CJ Solis-Lumar, junior college transfer Elmo Wharton and others. A few returners will be in the mix too — keep an eye on redshirt freshman Jamarey Smith, who started in the Potato Bowl last winter, plus Kai Rapolla and Ishmael Gibbs — but the biggest roles will likely belong to a combination of transfers.
#coach #cornerbacks #take #transfers
PULLMAN — When September rolls around and Washington State players take the field at Husky Stadium to take on rival Washington, and when the Cougars' defense rolls out, good luck recognizing any of the players in the visitors' secondary.
That's because among the 32 transfers WSU landed over the offseason, several of them play cornerback, a position at which the Cougs desperately needed to restock. Head coach Kirby Moore and staff did well to do so, likely using connections like new safeties coach Greg Burns and cornerbacks coach Brandyn Thompson to land a couple players.
But who are the new guys in this position group? And how might they fare this fall?
Players who will be vying for starting jobs include Texas State transfer Khamari Terrell, Oregon State transfer Jalil Tucker, Cal Poly transfer CJ Solis-Lumar, junior college transfer Elmo Wharton and others. A few returners will be in the mix too — keep an eye on redshirt freshman Jamarey Smith, who started in the Potato Bowl last winter, plus Kai Rapolla and Ishmael Gibbs — but the biggest roles will likely belong to a combination of transfers.
#coach #cornerbacks #take #transfers
16 days ago
Jul. 31—Editor's note: This is the third in a series of stories that will run each day previewing Washington State's preseason camp before it begins on Thursday. This edition covers the Cougars' linebackers.
PULLMAN — If there's such a thing as a breakout spring camp, when Isaiah Hung stood in front of a microphone on the sidelines of Rogers Field back in late April, he had just completed one.
Some six months after redshirting his true freshman year at Washington State, Hung looked sharp in the middle of the Cougars defense, using his physicality and speed to shine at linebacker. He was quick to identify lanes, quicker to deliver hits. He looked ready to earn a meaningful role.
Which brings us to WSU's fall camp, which begins Thursday. The Cougars have solid top -three options at linebacker: transfers Nylan Brown and DJ Warne plus veteran Keith Brown, who missed last season with an injury. But examine the rest of their linebacker corps and you might wonder about the team's depth at that position.
That's where Hung comes in. Could he provide the depth WSU needs at linebacker? As the Cougs' fall camp unfolds this August, his development is worth watching.
#thursday #brown #looked
PULLMAN — If there's such a thing as a breakout spring camp, when Isaiah Hung stood in front of a microphone on the sidelines of Rogers Field back in late April, he had just completed one.
Some six months after redshirting his true freshman year at Washington State, Hung looked sharp in the middle of the Cougars defense, using his physicality and speed to shine at linebacker. He was quick to identify lanes, quicker to deliver hits. He looked ready to earn a meaningful role.
Which brings us to WSU's fall camp, which begins Thursday. The Cougars have solid top -three options at linebacker: transfers Nylan Brown and DJ Warne plus veteran Keith Brown, who missed last season with an injury. But examine the rest of their linebacker corps and you might wonder about the team's depth at that position.
That's where Hung comes in. Could he provide the depth WSU needs at linebacker? As the Cougs' fall camp unfolds this August, his development is worth watching.
#thursday #brown #looked
17 days ago
Jul. 30—Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories that will run each day previewing Washington State's preseason camp before it begins on Aug. 6. This edition covers the Cougars' offensive line.
PULLMAN — Flip back to last fall and check out a few of Washington State's more forgettable losses. You'll find setbacks to North Texas, to Oregon State, to James Madison. The first of those is an exception, but you can draw a through-line through the final two.
The Cougars couldn't sustain any offense.
Which is why as head coach Kirby Moore takes over, WSU is likely prioritizing production from its offensive line more than ever. Last season, the Cougars finished nine spots up from dead last in Pro Football Focus' pass-blocking grades, then just three spots up from last in run-blocking grades. Injuries besieged a front five that was already shaky at times, and while the Cougs made it work and won a bowl game for the first time in seven years, they could have engineered an even more memorable season with more consistent offensive line play.
That brings us to WSU's current offensive line, which at first glance has the tools to improve on that trend. Headed into next week's fall camp opener, this group will likely take first-team reps, at least to start camp: Left tackle Ashton Tripp, left guard Jonny Lester, center Kyle Martin, right guard Noah Dunham, right tackle Maximus McCree. By the end of WSU's spring practices in April, that's the group that had risen to the top.
#last #camp #left #fall
PULLMAN — Flip back to last fall and check out a few of Washington State's more forgettable losses. You'll find setbacks to North Texas, to Oregon State, to James Madison. The first of those is an exception, but you can draw a through-line through the final two.
The Cougars couldn't sustain any offense.
Which is why as head coach Kirby Moore takes over, WSU is likely prioritizing production from its offensive line more than ever. Last season, the Cougars finished nine spots up from dead last in Pro Football Focus' pass-blocking grades, then just three spots up from last in run-blocking grades. Injuries besieged a front five that was already shaky at times, and while the Cougs made it work and won a bowl game for the first time in seven years, they could have engineered an even more memorable season with more consistent offensive line play.
That brings us to WSU's current offensive line, which at first glance has the tools to improve on that trend. Headed into next week's fall camp opener, this group will likely take first-team reps, at least to start camp: Left tackle Ashton Tripp, left guard Jonny Lester, center Kyle Martin, right guard Noah Dunham, right tackle Maximus McCree. By the end of WSU's spring practices in April, that's the group that had risen to the top.
#last #camp #left #fall
23 days ago
According to a report from The Spokesman Review's Greg Woods, the Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars will not play their annual Apple Cup rivalry on the hardwood.
It's the first time since 1917 that the two teams won't meet in the regular season after the Huskies moved from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten following the end of the 2023-24 season; instead, the in-state rivals will play an exhibition game in Seattle at some point this fall.
The Huskies currently lead the series 189-111, and have won the last three matchups against the Cougars, most recently an 81-69 victory in Pullman.
In that contest, the Huskies were led by freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, who posted 14 points and 13 rebounds as part of a stellar season that saw him selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the No. 14 overall pick in June's NBA draft, while sophomore guard Wesley Yates added 26 points and 7 rebounds in the win.
Coach Danny Sprinkle, who grew up a Husky after being born in Pullman because his late father, Bill, played defensive back for Washington in the 1960s, is undefeated in his two games against the Cougars and will have to wait at least another year for an opportunity to earn another win over WSU.
#huskies #season #according
It's the first time since 1917 that the two teams won't meet in the regular season after the Huskies moved from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten following the end of the 2023-24 season; instead, the in-state rivals will play an exhibition game in Seattle at some point this fall.
The Huskies currently lead the series 189-111, and have won the last three matchups against the Cougars, most recently an 81-69 victory in Pullman.
In that contest, the Huskies were led by freshman forward Hannes Steinbach, who posted 14 points and 13 rebounds as part of a stellar season that saw him selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the No. 14 overall pick in June's NBA draft, while sophomore guard Wesley Yates added 26 points and 7 rebounds in the win.
Coach Danny Sprinkle, who grew up a Husky after being born in Pullman because his late father, Bill, played defensive back for Washington in the 1960s, is undefeated in his two games against the Cougars and will have to wait at least another year for an opportunity to earn another win over WSU.
#huskies #season #according
26 days ago
Welcome to a new series on CougCenter. Each week leading up to kickoff of the 2026 football season, we will be previewing one of the new teams joining the Pac-12. Today, we begin with the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Washington State Cougars will see the Bulldogs for the first time as a conference opponent in Week 5 in Pullman.
But before we meet the Bulldogs on the field or court, who is Fresno State?
California State University, Fresno, or Fresno State, was founded in 1911 as part of the California State University system, located in, well, Fresno, California.
The Bulldogs began playing football in 1921, playing as an independent. They later joined the Pacific Coast Athletic ****** ociation, now known as the Big West Conference, in 1969. From there, they joined the WAC in 1992, where they remained until joining the Mountain West in 2012.
Fresno State found success early in their football years, boasting undefeated records in 1930 and 1961. The latter earned them a trip to the Mercy Bowl, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. They defeated Bowling Green 36-6 to cap their undefeated season. The two teams ended up meeting in the next two bowl appearances by Fresno State in 1982 and 1985, this time in the California Bowl. The Bulldogs won both of those meetings, including a 51-7 thrashing in 1985, which again capped off an undefeated season. All of this under head coach Jim Sweeney, who coached Washington State prior to his time at Fresno State from 1968 to 1975.
#bowl
But before we meet the Bulldogs on the field or court, who is Fresno State?
California State University, Fresno, or Fresno State, was founded in 1911 as part of the California State University system, located in, well, Fresno, California.
The Bulldogs began playing football in 1921, playing as an independent. They later joined the Pacific Coast Athletic ****** ociation, now known as the Big West Conference, in 1969. From there, they joined the WAC in 1992, where they remained until joining the Mountain West in 2012.
Fresno State found success early in their football years, boasting undefeated records in 1930 and 1961. The latter earned them a trip to the Mercy Bowl, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. They defeated Bowling Green 36-6 to cap their undefeated season. The two teams ended up meeting in the next two bowl appearances by Fresno State in 1982 and 1985, this time in the California Bowl. The Bulldogs won both of those meetings, including a 51-7 thrashing in 1985, which again capped off an undefeated season. All of this under head coach Jim Sweeney, who coached Washington State prior to his time at Fresno State from 1968 to 1975.
#bowl
1 month ago
The American League shutout the National League 4-0 on Tuesday in the 2026 All-Star Game. Here’s some notes I took.
Keeping Score: I decided to watch the All-Star Game this year. Not only that, I decided to score the All-Star Game this year. I recently found my old scorebook and thought it’d be fun, since I’m here recapping this with you anyways. The first game in this scorebook is a Félix Hernández complete game from Opening Day 2011. The last is both halves of a doubleheader between Washington State University and Cal State Northridge in Pullman that I covered for the school paper in 2017. In between there’s the Mariners/Marlins game that was played in Seattle because of a U2 concert in Miami; a game from the Tokyo Dome that I woke up at 2 a.m. for, per my diligent notes; a game started by Blake Beavan that I did not proceed to score after the first inning; the Red Sox first game after the Boston Marathon bombing; a 2013 WBC game; a 2017 WBC game; and a bunch of losing Mariners baseball. I’m not quite sure what the point of scoring games is in 2026, with technology and such. But I’m adding to my corporeal collection of bizarre baseball games that I might not otherwise remember.
Star-Less: The 2026 All-Star Game was relatively starless. No Aaron Judge. No Shohei Ohtani. Yes Ernie Clement. I won’t lie and say that this adds to my interest in the All-Star Game, as I watch pretty much every year, albeit more passively. But it is cool that we’ll get to see a lot more of the B+ quality of player that I think makes the league so interesting these days. My takeaways from the starting lineups are that I think it’s cool CJ Abrams is batting fourth for the NL. What a year it’s been for him. The other takeaway is I initially wrote Freddie Freeman’s team in my book as “ATL” rather than “LAD.” I’m not sure what that means, but it’s the first mistake on what’s sure to be a rather messy scorecard.
The Pregame: I’m writing this as the lineups are being announced. Each player is entering through an MLB-branded Liberty Bell and jogging a few feet to a podium, where they’re signing what appears to be the starting lineups on a large, old-timey document using quill and ink. What I’ve gotten out of this All-Star week is that Philadelphia really wants you to know that their culture is boxing, the founding fathers, and booing other teams players. The only players who didn’t get booed on announcement were the Phillies players and the Philly-born players (like Mike Trout). After all the players were aligned on the chalk — a process that took a bit more than 30 minutes — the Mastercard Kids4Techᵀᴹ entered and shook all the players hands.
The Post-Pregame: Play ball! Er, commercial break… Washington’s Lottery, North Idaho College, RnR RV Center, some sort of sponcon game show called Beat Shazam… and Play Ball! Er, no let’s hear from our hosts tonight, Joe Davis and John Smoltz, who I haven’t seen since the postseason. They’re interviewing Justin Verlander, and hinting
Keeping Score: I decided to watch the All-Star Game this year. Not only that, I decided to score the All-Star Game this year. I recently found my old scorebook and thought it’d be fun, since I’m here recapping this with you anyways. The first game in this scorebook is a Félix Hernández complete game from Opening Day 2011. The last is both halves of a doubleheader between Washington State University and Cal State Northridge in Pullman that I covered for the school paper in 2017. In between there’s the Mariners/Marlins game that was played in Seattle because of a U2 concert in Miami; a game from the Tokyo Dome that I woke up at 2 a.m. for, per my diligent notes; a game started by Blake Beavan that I did not proceed to score after the first inning; the Red Sox first game after the Boston Marathon bombing; a 2013 WBC game; a 2017 WBC game; and a bunch of losing Mariners baseball. I’m not quite sure what the point of scoring games is in 2026, with technology and such. But I’m adding to my corporeal collection of bizarre baseball games that I might not otherwise remember.
Star-Less: The 2026 All-Star Game was relatively starless. No Aaron Judge. No Shohei Ohtani. Yes Ernie Clement. I won’t lie and say that this adds to my interest in the All-Star Game, as I watch pretty much every year, albeit more passively. But it is cool that we’ll get to see a lot more of the B+ quality of player that I think makes the league so interesting these days. My takeaways from the starting lineups are that I think it’s cool CJ Abrams is batting fourth for the NL. What a year it’s been for him. The other takeaway is I initially wrote Freddie Freeman’s team in my book as “ATL” rather than “LAD.” I’m not sure what that means, but it’s the first mistake on what’s sure to be a rather messy scorecard.
The Pregame: I’m writing this as the lineups are being announced. Each player is entering through an MLB-branded Liberty Bell and jogging a few feet to a podium, where they’re signing what appears to be the starting lineups on a large, old-timey document using quill and ink. What I’ve gotten out of this All-Star week is that Philadelphia really wants you to know that their culture is boxing, the founding fathers, and booing other teams players. The only players who didn’t get booed on announcement were the Phillies players and the Philly-born players (like Mike Trout). After all the players were aligned on the chalk — a process that took a bit more than 30 minutes — the Mastercard Kids4Techᵀᴹ entered and shook all the players hands.
The Post-Pregame: Play ball! Er, commercial break… Washington’s Lottery, North Idaho College, RnR RV Center, some sort of sponcon game show called Beat Shazam… and Play Ball! Er, no let’s hear from our hosts tonight, Joe Davis and John Smoltz, who I haven’t seen since the postseason. They’re interviewing Justin Verlander, and hinting
1 month ago
Jul. 4—PULLMAN — Years later, Bud Nameck still cracks up when he tells the story.
This was years ago, when he was hosting a TV show called Monday Night Quarterback with Jim Walden, the former legendary Washington State football coach who had since pivoted to broadcasting in the area.
During one episode of the show, which aired in the fall after Monday Night Football, Nameck was hosting a segment where he put on a pair of pads for some comic relief. Walden started to lightly rough up Nameck's pads, jostling around with a longtime friend. That's when Nameck offered a quick zinger.
"Hey, Jim," Nameck said to Walden, "I've still got a year of eligibility left."
"He just started chuckling," Nameck said. "He goes, 'And you're gonna die with it.'"
This was years ago, when he was hosting a TV show called Monday Night Quarterback with Jim Walden, the former legendary Washington State football coach who had since pivoted to broadcasting in the area.
During one episode of the show, which aired in the fall after Monday Night Football, Nameck was hosting a segment where he put on a pair of pads for some comic relief. Walden started to lightly rough up Nameck's pads, jostling around with a longtime friend. That's when Nameck offered a quick zinger.
"Hey, Jim," Nameck said to Walden, "I've still got a year of eligibility left."
"He just started chuckling," Nameck said. "He goes, 'And you're gonna die with it.'"
1 month ago
Jul. 4—Please pardon the sentimentality of this column, written, as it was, while my laptop gently weeps.
Jim Walden died on Thursday at age 88. He was head football coach at Washington State University (1978-86). The sense of loss is made keener by the simple truth that they're not making coaches like Walden anymore.
He was the perfect coach at a time of great need in Pullman. The fourth head football coach in four seasons at WSU, he promised to stay, and he did.
Getting the Cougs in the 1981 Holiday Bowl broke a 51-year postseason drought, and it not only stifled some threadbare jokes about WSU's competitiveness, it also laid the foundation for greater things for the program's future.
He did it with a homespun humor that often drew more attention than his toughness, his discipline, and his great affection for his players.
Jim Walden died on Thursday at age 88. He was head football coach at Washington State University (1978-86). The sense of loss is made keener by the simple truth that they're not making coaches like Walden anymore.
He was the perfect coach at a time of great need in Pullman. The fourth head football coach in four seasons at WSU, he promised to stay, and he did.
Getting the Cougs in the 1981 Holiday Bowl broke a 51-year postseason drought, and it not only stifled some threadbare jokes about WSU's competitiveness, it also laid the foundation for greater things for the program's future.
He did it with a homespun humor that often drew more attention than his toughness, his discipline, and his great affection for his players.
2 months ago
Jun. 30—PULLMAN — A day before Washington State University enters a new era in the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference, the Cougars introduced a new partnership.
WSU and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation announced Tuesday a new five-year deal worth $8.43 million, including a $250,000 donation to the Cougar Athletic Excellence Fund in the first year. It's the largest annual sponsorship in WSU athletics history.
The Cougars will wear a new patch on their jerseys for football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and soccer.
"As we enter a new era of the Pac-12 — which begins tomorrow, by the way — we do so with a new look," WSU athletic director Jon Haarlow said during a news conference. "A look that represents far more than just branding. It represents a partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, commitment to developing future generations across Eastern Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. We've said it internally, we've said it publicly, that our intention is to be the leaders in the new Pac-12. Leadership requires innovation. It requires thinking differently. It requires building strategic partnerships that align with who we are as an institution."
"At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief in investing in young people, helping them become exceptional students, future leaders, and ultimately bringing them back home to strengthen the communities they love," WSU President Betsy Cantwell is quoted as saying in a press release. "That alignment of values is what made the Colville Tribes the right partner for this historic opportunity."
WSU and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation announced Tuesday a new five-year deal worth $8.43 million, including a $250,000 donation to the Cougar Athletic Excellence Fund in the first year. It's the largest annual sponsorship in WSU athletics history.
The Cougars will wear a new patch on their jerseys for football, men's and women's basketball, baseball and soccer.
"As we enter a new era of the Pac-12 — which begins tomorrow, by the way — we do so with a new look," WSU athletic director Jon Haarlow said during a news conference. "A look that represents far more than just branding. It represents a partnership rooted in shared values, mutual respect, commitment to developing future generations across Eastern Washington and throughout the Pacific Northwest. We've said it internally, we've said it publicly, that our intention is to be the leaders in the new Pac-12. Leadership requires innovation. It requires thinking differently. It requires building strategic partnerships that align with who we are as an institution."
"At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief in investing in young people, helping them become exceptional students, future leaders, and ultimately bringing them back home to strengthen the communities they love," WSU President Betsy Cantwell is quoted as saying in a press release. "That alignment of values is what made the Colville Tribes the right partner for this historic opportunity."
2 months ago
Jun. 20—The Battle of the Palouse rivalry will be staged on the hardwood in each of the next two seasons.
Washington State and Idaho's men's basketball teams have agreed to a home-and-home series, according to a report from college hoops schedule insider Alex Rosinski.
The Cougars are set to host the Vandals at Beasley Coliseum on Nov. 27, and Idaho will welcome WSU to ICCU Arena early in the 2027-28 season.
The historic rivalry game had been contested every year from 1906-2021, making it the oldest continuous college basketball rivalry in the country. But the series' streak ended due to a Pac-12 rule that prohibited its teams from playing teams that were ranked too low in the NCAA's NET over a five-year period — per the former conference's rule, the Vandals weren't ranked highly enough, and the teams failed to come to a scheduling agreement in 2022.
But the Battle of the Palouse was revived in 2023 and has been played in each of the past three seasons, with WSU winning twice and Idaho prevailing 83-81 in Pullman last year. The game hasn't been played in Moscow since 2021 — the Cougs won that game by a series-record margin, 109-61.
Washington State and Idaho's men's basketball teams have agreed to a home-and-home series, according to a report from college hoops schedule insider Alex Rosinski.
The Cougars are set to host the Vandals at Beasley Coliseum on Nov. 27, and Idaho will welcome WSU to ICCU Arena early in the 2027-28 season.
The historic rivalry game had been contested every year from 1906-2021, making it the oldest continuous college basketball rivalry in the country. But the series' streak ended due to a Pac-12 rule that prohibited its teams from playing teams that were ranked too low in the NCAA's NET over a five-year period — per the former conference's rule, the Vandals weren't ranked highly enough, and the teams failed to come to a scheduling agreement in 2022.
But the Battle of the Palouse was revived in 2023 and has been played in each of the past three seasons, with WSU winning twice and Idaho prevailing 83-81 in Pullman last year. The game hasn't been played in Moscow since 2021 — the Cougs won that game by a series-record margin, 109-61.
2 months ago
Jun. 8—PULLMAN — Washington State's recent influx of visitors has begun to bear fruit.
The Cougars have secured a commitment from wide receiver Tomas Dixon, who announced his decision on Monday afternoon, becoming the 10th member of WSU's class of 2027. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Dixon comes from San Joaquin Memorial High in Fresno, California.
Last weekend, a host of prospects made their official visits to Pullman, and some have decided to commit to coach Kirby Moore and the Cougars. That list now includes Dixon, who hauled in 30 catches for 779 yards and eight touchdowns last fall, his junior season. Dixon also plays defensive back, where he posted 35 total tackles and two interceptions last season.
Dixon turned down a handful of offers to choose WSU, including hometown Fresno State, plus Colorado State, San Diego State and Texas State, all future members of the new Pac-12. Dixon's full list of offers also includes UNLV, New Mexico, San Jose State, Hawaii and FCS clubs Idaho, Montana State, Sacramento State and Northern Arizona.
For WSU, Dixon's pledge is the latest in a recent string of them. On Saturday, the Cougars earned a commitment from three-star edge rusher Colton Richter, and a day later, they reeled in one from tight end Jettson Gillam. Both Richter and Gillam made their official visits to WSU last weekend.
The Cougars have secured a commitment from wide receiver Tomas Dixon, who announced his decision on Monday afternoon, becoming the 10th member of WSU's class of 2027. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds, Dixon comes from San Joaquin Memorial High in Fresno, California.
Last weekend, a host of prospects made their official visits to Pullman, and some have decided to commit to coach Kirby Moore and the Cougars. That list now includes Dixon, who hauled in 30 catches for 779 yards and eight touchdowns last fall, his junior season. Dixon also plays defensive back, where he posted 35 total tackles and two interceptions last season.
Dixon turned down a handful of offers to choose WSU, including hometown Fresno State, plus Colorado State, San Diego State and Texas State, all future members of the new Pac-12. Dixon's full list of offers also includes UNLV, New Mexico, San Jose State, Hawaii and FCS clubs Idaho, Montana State, Sacramento State and Northern Arizona.
For WSU, Dixon's pledge is the latest in a recent string of them. On Saturday, the Cougars earned a commitment from three-star edge rusher Colton Richter, and a day later, they reeled in one from tight end Jettson Gillam. Both Richter and Gillam made their official visits to WSU last weekend.
