"Moore to the Story" The Next Chapter in Cougar Football

[ShireNiner]

A good second season for sure, especially the blow out bowl win.

Dan Lanning now at Washington is disgusting. No Duck would go there.

Owens is an exciting prospect. Good numbers it looks like and a high star recruit.

[Deuce2223]

2028 WSU MEDIA GUIDE

TOP-25
The Cougars will start the year in the Top-25 after ending the last year's 11-3 Pac-12 Championship/Bowl win season ranked #17, WSU will start the year #22 as they look to defend their title and make a push at the schools first appearance in the College Football Playoffs.

THE SCHEDULE

Washington State's schedule is once again dominated by early road games with 5 of their first 6 games on the road and their final 4 games of the season all at home in Martin Stadium.

WSU will kick things off with a Top-25 Pac-12 showdown with #23 Stanford in Week 1 followed by a visit to Tuscon Arizona to take on the Wildcats in Week 2. Arizona finished last season just 3-9 Overall and 1-8 in Big 12 play.

WSU will host Washington and 1st year HC Dan Lanning in Week 3. The Huskies are coming off a disappointing 4-8 Overall record last season that included a loss to the Cougars in the Apple Cup.

WSU will hit the road for another trio of road games starting with a trip to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.. OSU starts the year not ranked but by Week 4 they very well could be.

The Cougars then head to Texas State and UTSA in Week 5 and 6 before returning home to face Cal in Week 7. WSU will head to Corvallis to take on the Beavers in Week 8 and then return home for a 4 game home stand starting with #21 Boise State in Week 9. followed by a "Bye" Week in Week 10 then Colorado State, San Diego State and Fresno State "Senior Day" to close out the season.

THE ROSTER
QB
#15 RS SR Trey Owens (86)
#5 RS SO Calvin Loyd (82)
#4 RS FR Jonhathan Provo (77)
# 9 (R) FR C. Ottis (75)
#7 RS SO Julius Flowers (70)

Owens (USC) and Loyd (Colorado) battled with Provo (former 4*) for the QB1 job this spring and Owens came out as the winner., but expect Coach Moore to play both Loyd and Provo in blowouts as they look to see who could be the starter next season. Ottis (another former 4*) will redshirt but could see action in at least 4 games simlar to what JP (Provo) did last season

RB
#23 RS SR Brevin Doll (85)
#30 RS SO Clint Powell (85)
#3 RS SR Maxwell Woods (84)
#24 (R) JR Antonio Abbott (81)
#31 RS SO Alex Goings (78)

Doll a Iowa/Iowa State transfer had a breakout season last year with 639 yds 6 TD on the ground and 724 yds (73 rec) and 5 TD's in the air.. He takes over as RB1 with the graduation of Leo Pulalasi. Clint Powell (K-State) looks to follow him in his footsteps and will push for snaps both running/receiving and appears to have won the RB2 this spring. With 2 time Jet Award winner Maxwell Woods back, Coach Moore/Miller will look to involve Woods into the Offense this season which pushes former 4* Antonio Abbott to a Redshirt season despite having almost 1000 yds and 21 TD's the past 2 years, as another former transfer Alex Goings is available after sitting out last season.

Moore "

Well Double A has been a huge part of offense the past 2 years, we feel like it would suit him and the team best if he was to redshirt this year so we could have him for 2 years after Doll and Woods graduate. We believe he and Powell and be a deadly duo next year"

FB
#45 JR Cliff Provo (80)
#41 RS SR Sean Bures (71)

Cliff Provo has shown he can be more then a leader blocker when called upon. Provo as 139 career carries for 6333 yds and 5 TD's on the ground and 31 rec for 261 yds and 1 TD through the air.

WR
#17 JR Lester Creer (94)
#82 RS JR Cory Izien (87)
#16 RS FR Calvin Wayne (83)
#85 RS FR Deon Rugamba (80)
#21 RS JR Carter Pabst (79)
#84 RS JR Landon Wright (77)
#1 (R) FR Oscar Paul (75)
#10 (R) FR Glenn Cronk-(75)

Creer is the clearcut #1 after breaking multiple school records in his first 2 seasons. With 217 rec for 2783 yds and 31 TD's the past 2 seasons, there is a very good chance this could be Creer's last season in Pullman.

Last year despite Creer's record setting year and D. James 1000 yd season, Carter Pabst still managed to produce 833 yds and 9 TD's on 76 receptions. He will once again work out of the slot and is considered the :"Blue Ribbon" of the Cougars offense.

Former Missouri State transfer Cory Izein will look to push Landon Wright (22 rec 212 yds 4 TD) for the other starting job but both players could also lose snaps to former 4* Calvin Wayne and Deon Rugamba who redshirted last season.. With the WR room already 6 deep, this year's 4* Recruits O. Paul and G. Cronk will redshirt and look to move onto the depth chart in 2029.

TE
#87 JR Junior Fineanganfo (79)
#12 RS JR Greg Fiore (75)
#83 (R) FR Hasheem Mamula (62)

After failing to add a TE in the portal, Junior Fineanganfo is back into the starting lineup as TE1, a role he filled as a True Freshman catching 50 rec for 619 yds and 1 TD.. Last year as the #2 Junior still managed 15 rec including 4 for TD's for 188 yds (12.5 avg) Former WR G. Fiore now will fill in as the #2.

O-Line
#67 RS JR Brayden Jacobs (91)
#58 SR Jaymar Tasi (87)
#60 JR Isaia Woolfork (72)
#73 RS SR Terrell Kim (80)
#77 RS SR Kaeden Massey (81)

Jacobs and Massey are both 4* transfers who will take over starting spots this season on the outside. Kim moves from Center back to Guard well Woolfork who started in 2025 as a True Freshman rejoins the starting unit.

#70 RS SR Robert Bourdon (74)
#54 RS FR Chuck Anders (75)
#50 RS JR Sone Faelalo (74)
#72 RS FR Devon Livings (71)
#56 RS FR Miles Ejiofor (73)

This is the main backup unit.. Anders is listed as a OG but could push his way into the starting lineup at Center if Woolfork struggles. Bourdon and Faelalo were the projected starters at tackle and will be the first 2 off the bench in case of injuries.

#79 (R) JR Andy Weiner (79)
#53 (R) FR Cortez Mundy (69)
#52 (R) FR Harvey Camarda (67)
#76 (R) FR Glenn Merrick (67)

This unit will Redshirt.. Weiner was a part-time starter at RG last year but with Kim moving over from Center he will redshirt so he can be available as a 2 year starter next season. The other trio are all incoming 3* who will need a year or 2 of training/dev before they are ready.


D-Line
#91 RS SO Stephen Harris (78)
#84 RS SR Malachi Wrice (76)
#93 RS SO Nolan Conklin (76)
#56 RS SR Fernando Lecuona (75)

Leucona will move from DE to DT after posting 46 Tackles with 16 TFL and 8.5 sacks last year allowing for Harris to become a fulltime starter. Harris a former 3* Athlete saw action last year as a reserve logging 24 Tackles with 6 TFL and 3.0 sacks. Malanci Wrice is a Team Captain and leader of this unit. he has averaged 56 Tackles with 15.5 TFL and 7.5 Sacks the last 2 seasons including tying Leucona for the team lead with 8.5 sacks last year. Conklin is a former 3* looking to make a impact after being a reserve (18 tackles, 4 TFL)

#98 RS SO Jeremiah Makovicka (73)
#90 RS SR Michael Hughes (74)
#92 RS SO Jaden Rice (73)
#47 RS JR Luke Webb (70)
#94 RS SO Josh Johnson (73)
#96 RS SO Kahil Figueroa (72)

#95 (R) FR James Quntero (69)
#97 (R) FR Jalen Collile (65)

Hopefully someone from this unit can emerge to relace Wrice and Lecuona next season as they combined for 17 sacks last year and over 30 sacks the past 2 years.

Linebackers
#33 RS SR Gage Jones (80)
#12 RS SR Carsten Reynolds (79)
# RS SO Tye Rubin (80)

With WSU playing a primary 4-2-5 Defense, Jones is the leader of this unit and a Team Captain.. He has produced 171 Tackles with 16 TLF, 3.5 sacks and 1 INT the past 2 seasons. Reynolds has been a key backup the past 2 years producing 101 career tackles with 9 TFL and 2.5 sacks. Rubin steps into Reynolds old role as the primary backup but has seen limited PT (15 Tackles 2 TFL).

#59 RS SO Hugh Fredrickson (72)
#36 RS JR Jovan Clark (74)
#14 JR Angel Mercer (71)

Fredrickson a transfer from Oregon State Clark (25 career tackles) and Mercer (22 Tackles) provide the depth and will push each other to join the starting lineup next year.

#28 (R) FR Quincy Baity (67)
#49 (R) FR George Lane (65)

3* Recruits who were late additions to the class will redshirt and provide backup depth next year with hopes of being starters in 2029 and beyond.

Secondary

#26 RS JR Tyrone Cotton III (80)
#21 RS JR Tre Poteat (79)
#26 RS SR Tyson Weaver (75)
#8 RS SR Kenny Worthy III (75)
#11 RS FR Marques Stroughther (73)
#3 RS FR Chuck Hajrullahu (70)
#15 RS JR Jay Cotter (69)

Poteat posted 85 tackles with 2 INT after transfering from Tennessee he will be pushed by Cotton IIII for CB1 duties.. Cotton had 72 Tackles last year but didn't record a INT.

Weaver and Worthy III provide solid backups well the other trio are all coming off redshirt seasons looking to see who can be a future starter.

#19 RS SR Kayo Patu (77)
#7 RS SO Julius Canady (70)
#9 (R) FR Percy Jackson (71)
#16 (R) FR Lonnie Cooks (68)

Patu is another Team Captain and leader of this unit after posting a team high 109 tackles last season with 1 INT. Jackson and Cooks will redshirt and see if they can push Canady for the starting job next year.

#0 RS SR Anthony Palano (79)
#31 RS SR Trey Ridley (78)
#2 RS SO Dwayne Carstens (74)
#29 RS SO Kevin Burnett (71)

Palano and Ridley are the last 2 members of the starting unit. Ridley missed all but 1 game last year with a injury after recording 66 Tackles with 10 TFL in 2026. Palano recorded 61 tackles last year after taking over at SS. Carstens is just waiting his turn to become the next starter and will be if anyone gets hurt this season.

Special Teams
#97 RS JR Adlai Lounsbury (73)
#11 (T) FR Juan Chavez (78)

Lounsbury connected on 20/23 FG's (86%) in 2026 but degressed to 18/25 (72%) last season. well kicking 70/70 XPT's. However of his 7 miss's 2 of those came from 50+ yds and 5 came from 40-49.

Chavez takes over Punting duties as well as Kickoffs.

[Deuce2223]

A good second season for sure, especially the blow out bowl win.

Dan Lanning now at Washington is disgusting. No Duck would go there.

Owens is an exciting prospect. Good numbers it looks like and a high star recruit.

Yeah the coach carousel doesn't make much sense in this game or even last year.. They really need to revert back to the 2014 system. I don't see Lanning ever leaving IRL and I am not even sure how Oklahoma can be considered a upgrade over Oregon and then to fire him after just 2 years seems dumb. So many coaches leaving their Alma Mater's this season doesn't make sense either.

I am excited for Owens. I think he has more talent then Malachi Nelson and should hopefully be able to step in and fill the starting role well Loyd/Provo/Ottis get 1 more year to develop.

[Deuce2223]

TOP-25 PRESEASON RANKINGS

(Overall/Offense/Defense)

#1 Georgia (94/94/94)
#2 Oregon (96/94/99)
#3 Michigan (94/94/94)
#4 Alabama (97/99/94)
#5 LSU (94/94/96)
#6 Miami (91/91/91)
#7 Texas A&M (91/91/91/)
#8 Penn State (95/96/94)
#9 UNC (86/84/89)
#10 Nebraska (87/89/86)
#11 Clemson (92/94/91)
#12 Ole Miss (87/86/89)
#13 BYU (82/84/81)
#14 Texas (91/89/94)
#15 Boston College (76/76/76)
#16 Colorado (79/79/79)
#17 Kentucky (83/81/86)
#18 Notre Dame (97/96/99)
#19 Michigan State (83/81/86)
#20 Pitt (81/79/84)
#21 Boise State (81/79/84)
#22 Washington State (82/84/81)
#23 Stanford (79/79/81)
#24 UCLA (82/84/81)
#25 Houston (75/76/74)


It's not a shock to see Georgia or Alabama in the Top-5.. Both schools will once again battle it out a spot in the SEC Championship and a shot at a National title, however the biggest question mark is how long can Texas survive in the SEC before retreating back to the Big 12 where they could dominate like BYU has done for the past 2 seasons.

Also with 8 teams from the Big Ten in the Top-25 it's hard to believe that Ohio State is not one of them.. The Crazy part is the Buckeyes are not even listed in the Top-30 despite a (97/96/99) rating..

Should be interesting to see how the Pac-12 plays out this year. Cal (76 overall) is still hanging in their above the 70 rating mark but everyone else is rated 69 or lower leaving this likely a 3 horse race between BSU/WSU and Stanford.. We still have 2 more seasons before we make any changes to the conference but a return of Washington/UCLA/Utah/Arizona State could be the influx the conference needs to make a P-5 Conference again.

[redsox907]

WSU in the top 25 rankings

it looks like the offense will have to carry the day again for the Cougars to be successful. Lots of playmakers on offense and Owens should really cook in a wide open offense. The defensive line and linebackers have some talent, but not real stars

[djp73]

Roster looks pretty strong. A few holes here and there. Center is mildly concerning.

[Deuce2223]

Roster looks pretty strong. A few holes here and there. Center is mildly concerning.

He actually started started all 13 games as a True Freshman but then I landed a Kim last year in the Portal and had a 2 solid guards so I moved Kim to Center.. Now with Kim back at Guard, Woolfolk moves back in. Yeah his Overall is low but but he has the Awareness is really good and he Pass Block Power, Run Block and Run Block Power is higher then any of my other choices. I was really hoping to land the 4* I was recruiting but he signed with Miami in Week 3 of the off-season.

I am pretty happy Overall with the Offense and feel like I have the pieces I need for the next 2 years at least so my main focus with Recruiting is going to be Defense.. I have 18 Seniors plus 5 open scholarships so I my focus will be a Top-25 Board with at least 15 Defensive guy's but it's a struggle because most of the guy's who have WSU #1 and or at least Top-5 seem to be QB/RB/WR every year.. I assume it's because of the offense or maybe that's just the CPU holding me back.

[Deuce2223]

WSU in the top 25 rankings

it looks like the offense will have to carry the day again for the Cougars to be successful. Lots of playmakers on offense and Owens should really cook in a wide open offense. The defensive line and linebackers have some talent, but not real stars

Yeah, just getting ready to post the first game and you nailed it.. Offense has a chance to be really good but Defense struggles and our stay in the Top-25 is short lived.

[Deuce2223]

COUGARS FALL SHORT IN TOP-25 SHOOTOUT IN WEEK 1

Stanford got it's revenge on the Pac-12 Championship loss by knocking WSU out of the Top-25 with big Week 1 in a Offensive Shootout. For former Texas/USC transfer Trey Owens his Washington State debut came with mixed results. Owens led WSU to a early (14-0) lead throwing a pair of early touchdowns that included 33 yd pass to Lester Creer and a 14 yd strike to TE Junior Fineanganofo but a fumble would lead to back to back scores by the Cardinals as they tied the game (14-14) with 2 minutes to play in the 1st Quarter. Owens would find Carter Pabst on another touchdown strike as WSU retakes the lead (21-14) but Stanford would score 20 unanswered to close out the 1st half after Owens throws a pair of INT's giving the Cardinals (34-21) lead going into the locker room.. Stanford would open up the 2nd half with the ball and quickly scored as SR RB Daniel Bray (89) breaks free for a 64 yd touchdown run. The Cardinals would then convert the 2pt play giving them a 3 score lead (42-21) less then a minute into the 2nd half.

Despite trailing by 3 scores, WSU would battle back though as the Cougars score on a 36 yd touchdown run by Bevin Doll and then again with a 12 yd touchdown run by K-State transfer Clint Powell to cut the lead to (42-35).. Both teams would then trade FG's to end the 3rd Quarter scoring with the Cardinals still holding onto a (45-38) lead going into the 4th.

WSU would open up the 4th Quarter scoring tying the game up (45-45) as Owens throws his 4th TD of the game hitting Missouri State transfer Cory Izien on a 25 yd strike but Stanford answers back as Bray scores his 2nd touchdown of the game to retake the lead (52-45). Owens and Izien were not done though as the duo hooks up for another score as WSU ties the game again (52-52) Owens would then throw INT #3 leading to SO PK Quincy Keke (81) connecting on his 4th FG of the day to give the Cardinals a (55-52) lead with 2:12 to play in the game.. Armed with 2 timeouts Owens would lead the Cougars down the field in a 2 minute offense that ended with a yd touchdown strike to Creer with 47 seconds to play in the game as WSU takes the lead for the first time since early in the 2nd Quarter. (59-55).

Stanford's JR Jonathony Hall already with 4 KR for 98 yds on the day would double his yards though in just 1 play as he takes the kick return from the 2 yd and goes 98 yds to the house for the game winning score...

FINAL SCORE STANFORD-62 WASHINGTON STATE-59

KEY PLAYERS
QB T. Owens-49/74 (66%) 600 yds 6 TD 3 INT, 2 Sacks, 1 Fumble
RB B. Doll-23 carries 99 yds 1 TD, 3 rec 18 yds
RB C. Powell-7 carries 50 yds 1 TD, 5 rec 112 yds
RB M. Woods-3 carries 19 yds
FB C. Provo-2 carries 23 yds
WR C. Pabst-11 rec 132 yds 1 TD
WR L Creer-11 rec 126 yds 2 TD
WR C. Izien-10 rec 129 yds 2 TD
TE J. Fineanganofo-7 rec 71 yds 1 TD
SS A. Palano-9 tackles
LB T. Rubin- 8 Tackles
FS K. Patu-7 tackles 1 INT


QB E. Brown-31/50 (62%) 445 yds 2 TD 1 INT, 36 yds rushing 1 TD
RB D. Bray-16 carries 174 yds 2 TD, 4 rec 24 yds
FB M. Bouchard-1 carry 1 yd 1 TD
WR J. Malauulu-6 rec 110 yds
WR J. Hall-6 rec 104 yds 1 TD, 5 KR 196 yds 1 TD
WR M. Gradkwoski-4 rec 94 yds
TE Z. Guiliano-8 rec 98 yds 1 TD
FS M. Upshaw-22 Tackles
LB M. Richardson-17 tackles
CB L. McAllister- 12 tackles 1 INT
CB T. Henderson-1 INT
CB L. Cookus-1 INT


Offense Outlook

Obviously 4 turnovers hurt but they were not totally what cost us the game.. Owens is the perfect gunslinger for the offense. 74 pass attempts 600 yds and 6 TD with 3 different WR catching 10+ balls is perfect.

Clint Powell will be the steal of the portal. The kid is a beast posting a 119.4 run after catch average. His pass catching skills surpass even Doll who had over 700 yds receiving last year. and he is the perfect 3DRB of the offense (89 Overall).

Defense Outlook
Stanford's Offense is good. Brown (92 ovr) is a 4 year starter at QB with over 11,000 yds passing, Bray is one of the highest rated RB's in the conference (89 ovr) and is coming off a 1000 yd 10 TD season last year.and Malauulu (91 ovr) has multiple 1000 yd seasons, so it's hard to tell just how bad we played. But anytime you give up a 9.0 avg per play average you are probably going to lose the game. They avg 9.2 per rush and 8.9 per pass.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Thanks for the loss..


UP NEXT

WSU will look to rebound with a trip to the Desert as we take on (1-0) Arizona.. The Wildcats defeated Colorado State (41-34) in Week 1


AROUND THE NATION UPDATE

WSU wasn't the only Top-25 to lose in Week 1.

#5 LSU lost (24-21) to unranked Duke dropping 10 spots to #15
#10 Nebraska lost (40-18) to #1 ranked Georgia falling to #17 in the process.
#14 Texas was upset by La Tech (35-24) and dropped to #24
#15 Boston College after making the playoffs last season dropped to 0-2 as they fell (45-39) this week to #11 BYU after dropping a Week 0 game to Army (19-14)
#20 Pitt lost to Ohio State (34-31)

Tennessee #22
Maryland #23
USC #25

join the Top-25 after WSU joins BC and Pitt outside the rankings.

#2 Oregon opened their season with a (69-21) win over FCS Midwest.
#8 Penn State beat Ball State (63-3)
#12 Ole Miss beat South Alabama (52-7)
#18 Notre Dame moved up 4 spots to #14 with a 38-3 win over Indiana
#21 Boise State jumps 3 spots to #18 after a 42-21 win over Cincinnati.

[djp73]

Wow that looked like a MAC game