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

[redsox907]

Alabama in the Vegas Bowl

[toysoldier00]

Tavien St. Clair doing big things. Love to see it.

[djp73]

hopefully finish strong and have some teams above you fall

[Deuce2223]

Alabama in the Vegas Bowl

Yeah reminds me of my first bowl game at WSU when I had to play a 96 ranked LSU squad.. So even though I won't make the playoffs at least I get a high profile opponent instead of the year I got to play Rice. in the Holiday Bowl.

[Deuce2223]

Tavien St. Clair doing big things. Love to see it.

Yeah he is good. I actually signed him to Boise State in one of my other dynasties and he led us to a Natty.. It's crazy every dynasty I play, he leaves Ohio State. I wonder if he will actually stay at Ohio State for his career IRL or not.

[Deuce2223]

hopefully finish strong and have some teams above you fall

Yeah sadly not going to happen. I just finished playing out the season.. No miracle loss's by teams head of us.. Pretty disappointing results after pulling off the crazy Natty win last year. Guess I can't be to greedy..

[Deuce2223]

COUGARS CLOSE OUT SEASON WITH 3 STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD!!

Following their disappointing loss to Boise State and picking up their 3rd loss of the season, WSU knew it would be a tough hill to climb to get back into playoff contention and earn a chance to defend their National Championship.. After picking up the win over Colorado State in Week 11, the Cougars headed to San Diego State to take on the (3-7) Aztecs.

SDSU didn't put up much of a fight as WSU jumped out to a (28-9) lead at the half and cruised to a (42-19) victory as Washington State picks up their 8th win of the season.

QB Calvin Loyd had a solid game throwing for 256 yds with 3 TD and rushing for another, well RB Tashaun Dragos posted back to back games over 100 yds after coming back from injury (25 carries 139 yds) well fellow RB Clint Powell added 15 carries for 58 yds an 2 touchdowns as the Cougars put up 215 yds and 3 scores on the ground.


The Cougars would then head to Fresno State as Coach Moore takes on his former team . The Bulldogs came into the game with just 2 wins on the season (2--9) but played a great 1st half going into the locker room tied (21-21) and would take the lead in the 3rd Quarter on a pair of FG's to make it (27-21) going into the 4th.

WSU would retake the lead early in the 4th as Dragos scores from 18 yds out to make it (28-27). Fresno State would answer back with a touchdown of their own as they take the (33-28) lead. FSU would leave their offense on the field to try for the 2pt play trying to make it a 7 point lead but the Cougar Defense was ready... Not ready to settle for a potential 4th loss, WSU would go to the air as Loyd finds Brayden Trimble for his 17th touchdown of the year to make it (34-33)). Like the Bulldogs the Cougars would leave the offense on the field for the 2pt play but unlike FSU, Washington State converts to make it a 3 point game with 3:18 to play in the game.. Both teams still armed with all 3 timeouts knew it was coming down to who had the ball last.

Fresno State already with 2 FG's on the day including a 52 yd make, had to send our SR Tripp Bryant for #3 as the Bulldogs tie the game (36-36) with 2:12 to play. Loyd already with 2 INT's on the day wasn't taking any chances making several safe throws to the sidelines and working the run game WSU would force Fresno to burn the last of their timeouts before sending out SR Adlai Lounsbury for the game winner..

FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON STATE-39 FRESNO STATE-36

KEY COUGARS
QB C. Loyd-22/37 (59%) 257 yds 4 TD 2 INT, 8 carries 30 yds
RB T. Dragos-23 carries 83 yds 1 TD
RB C. Powell-11 carries 22 yds
WR B. Trimble-8 rec 93 yds 1 TD
WR C. Izien-6 rec 91 yds 2 TD
WR C. Pabst-3 rec 15 yds 1 TD
TE C. Slye-4 rec 53 yds

UP NEXT

With the 3 game road sweep, WSU finishes the year (9-3) Overall and (7-2) in Pac-12 play.. After their win, the Cougars settled in the hotel conference room and watched Boise State defeat Cal (30-28) to finish the season a perfect 12-0.. The Broncos and Bears will have a rematch in the Pac-12 title game as BSU looks to try and secure a home playoff game in Round 1 after dropping to #9 in the rankings despite their perfect record.

For WSU the Cougars will await their Bowl game announcement, until after Championship Week. As of now right now the projections have WSU playing #14 Miami in the Holiday Bowl in what would be a rematch of last year's National Championship in which WSU defeated the Hurricanes (45-37).

Like WSU Miami finished their season (9-3) Overall and despite being ranked #14 going into Championship Week they will not be playing for a ACC title as that matchup will consist of #2 UNC vs #18 Kentucky..

The Hurricanes have very little chance of moving up in the rankings as (9-3) Penn State is #11, (9-3) Clemson is #12 and (10-2) Michigan is #13 and like Miami none are playing in Championship week.

[redsox907]

man, almost dropped the final game to the Bulldogs, that would have sucked.

At least you should get a good bowl matchup

[Deuce2223]

COUGARS/HURRICANCES REMATCH

HOLIDAY BOWL

#22 (9-3) Washington State has officially accepted a invite to the Holiday Bowl featuring a rematch of last year's National Championship as the Cougars will take on the #14 (9-3) Miami Hurricanes.

The Cougars pulled off a (45-37) win over Miami last year and you know that the Hurricanes will be out for revenge.

Miami (93 Overall/91 Offense/96 Defense) might be the higher ranked team on paper (WSU (89/91/86) but like last year you can't discount the fact that WSU has continued to produce the #1 Offense in the Nation for a 3rd straight season at 46.6 PPG) Clemson is #2 45.1 #3 La Tech-44.8, #4 BSU 44.0 #5 USC 43.3)

Key Stat Leader's
WSU
QB C. Loyd-2752 yds 31 TD 7 INT, 143 yds rushing 7 TD
QB C. Ottis-1281 yds 12 TD 6 INT

RB C. Powell 145 carries 796 yds 8 TD, 36 rec 394 yds 3 TD
RB T. Dragos-97 carries 452 yds 2 TD
RB C. Mangum-79 carries 412 yds 4 TD

WR B. Trimble-83 rec 1500 yds 17 TD
WR C. Pabst-67 rec 796 yds 11 TD
WR C. Izien-46 rec 608 yds 5 TD
WR C. Wayne-34 rec 452 yds 5 TD

CB T. Poteat-83 Tackles 2 INT
CB C. Hajrullahu-26 Tackles 2 INT
DT J. Mupoyi-32 Tackles 16 TFL 9 Sacks
DE M. Charles-34 Tackles 10 TFL 5.5 Sacks




Miami
QB A. Treggs-2659 yds 25 TD 9 INT, 103 yds rushing 2 TD
QB B. Lemmons-715 yds 7 TD 4 INT

RB E.Canady-199 carries 890 yds 12 TD
RB T. Clark-83 carries 292 yds 4 TD

WR D. Upshaw-76 rec 1258 yds 13 TD
WR J Moore-60 rec 712 yds 5 TD
WR A. Loyd-49 rec 710 yds 7 TD
TE B. Schott-39 rec 349 yds 3 TD

DE H. Scroggins III- 44 Tackles 23 TFL 11.5 Sacks
DT P. Oladokun-45 Tackles 15 TFL 4 Sacks
CB P. Omiylae 48 Tackles 3 INT
CB B. Hanks Jr 65 Tackles 2 INT

WSU PARTS WAY WITH DC TRENT BRAY

Former Oregon State DC/HC Trent Bray has stepped down from his DC role.. Bray a Pullman native joined Kirby Moore 4 years ago helping guide the Cougars to a 42-13 record that includes a Pac-12 Championship, Holiday Bowl win as well as a Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and National Championship.

Reports are Bray is the favorite to replace former Washington State Cougar HC Jimmy Rodgers at Iowa State after the Cyclones dismissed Rodgers. Rumors are Rodgers has actually contacted Moore about the potential of returning to WSU as the Cougars DC.


TRANSFER PORTAL RUMORS

Reports out of the Cougar locker room is that Coach Kirby Moore and OC Matt Miller are happy with QB Calvin Loyd and many expect Loyd to return as the Cougars QB1 next season which has sparked rumors involving every other QB on the roster.. Most assume that fellow RS JR Julius Flowers will look for a school to potentially start at for his final season well backups RS FR Cortez Ottis and RS SO Johnathan Provo as well as 4* Recruit Antwan Beaver are all weighing their options for next season.

The QB room isn't the only offensive position that could take a major hit. Reports are that RS JR Tashaun Dragos despite playing in just 5 games this year for the Cougars is expected to be a potential 4th-5th round pick and after dealing with injuries is weighing his options on leaving early. We are also learning that fellow RS JR Clint Powell is expected to be the Top RB in the portal should he enter which could involve a bigger payday from another school then WSU can afford in NIL money.

Should both Dragos and Powell leave that would leave True Freshman Cedrick Mangum as the front runner for the RB1 role next year.

LOOKING FOR SOME HANDS
This season the WSU WR/TE room has 307 receptions however with 5 Senior WR's and 2 Senior TE's and Powell and Dragos potentially leaving as of now Calvin Wayne (34 rec) Fetu Dursua (2 rec) and D. Rugamba (1 rec) are the only returning players with catches on their resume.

Speaking of Hands WSU this season has posted just 10 INT's on the season and 2 of those will be graduating in team leader Tre Poteat (2) meaning whoever takes over as DC will need to find some ball hawks on Defense as well as the Offense.

RECRUITING

Early signing period is officially here and WSU took a major hit in this year's class.

4* QB Nolan Lampman has officially signed with K-State.. The Provo Utah native was the #5 ranked QB in this year's Class and #170 Overall

4* RB Conner Durant has officially signed with USC.. The Seattle WA native was the #2 ranked player from the WA, the #12 RB in the class and the #120 Overall.

4* RT Paul Pryor has officially signed with BYU.. The Oregon Gatorade POY from West Linn OR was ranked the #31 ranked OT and ranked #308 Overall

4* WR Ladarius Simmon has officially signed with Boise State. The #2 ranked player from Utah was also the #15 ranked WR and ranked #57 Overall nationally.

5* OT Tye Acker has officially signed with Oregon.. The California Gatorade POY was also the #1 Overall and #1 OT in this year's class.

5* ATH/LB Ramon Salmon has officially signed with Georgia. Salmon was the #1 Athlete in this year's class and the #29 Overall ranked recruit.

Well Moore/Miller struck out with a majority of their Top-10 Board, they did manage to 2 come away with 2 early commitments and still have 5* OT Terrance Worrilow in play.

4* WR Alfonso Dywer (#34 Overall/#2 CO/#5 WR) has officially signed as did 4* DE Teddy Pifer (#168 Overall/#5 UT/#15 DE).

[Deuce2223]

AROUND THE NATION REPORT

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK

Middle Tennessee State defeated Old Dominion (28-24) to win the CUSA Championship

#17 Toledo defeated Kent State (44-24) to win the Mac Championship

Nevada defeated Wyoming (42-16) to win the Mountain West Championship

#23 La Tech defeated Louisiana (44-19) to win the Sun Belt Championship

#8 Miss State defeated Southern Miss (45-13) to win the American Conference Championship

#9 Boise State defeated Cal (38-3) to win the Pac-12 Championship

#5 Oklahoma defeated #21 Florida (22-10) to win the SEC Championship

#7 Oregon defeated #1 Ohio State (31-28) to win the Big Ten Championship

#3 Colorado defeated #10 Missouri (49-6) to win the Big 12 Championship

#2 UNC defeated #19 Kentucky (35-18) to win the ACC Championship

SELECTION SUNDAY

The biggest surprise here was Ohio State dropping to #5 in the rankings and losing their 1st Round Bye. UNC moves to #1, Colorado moves to #2 and Oregon jumps from #7 to #3 earning the Top-4 seed with Oklahoma jumping in at #4 for the final spot.


#10 Missouri fell out of the Top-12 with their loss in the Big 12 Championship opening the door for (10-2) Michigan to jump from #13 to #12 to claim the #12 seed in the playoffs.

This leaves (12-1) Toledo and (12-1) La Tech both out of the playoffs this season.

The other shock was both #8 Miss State and #9 Boise State not moving in the rankings despite both schools winning their conference championships witch means that the Rebels will host the Broncos in Round 1.

Here is a full look at the Bracket.

#12 (10-2) Michigan vs #5 (12-1) Ohio State Winner will face #4 (12-1) Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl

#9 (13-0) Boise State vs #8 (12-1) Miss State.. Winner will face #1 (12-1) UNC in the Cotton Bowl

#11 (9-3) Clemson vs #6 (11-1) USC.. Winner will face #3 (12-1) Oregon in the Orange Bowl

#10 (9-3) Penn State vs #7 (10-2) Tennessee.. Winner will face #2 (13-0) Colorado in the Peach Bowl.


OTHER KEY BOWL MATCHUPS
Alamo Bowl- #13 (11-2) Missouri vs (9-4) Cal
Armed Forces Bowl #15 (9-3) Texas vs Southern Miss
Boca Raton Bowl #24 (12-1) La Tech vs (6-6) Appalachian State
La Vegas Bowl #16 (9-3) Georgia vs (6-6) Rice
Liberty Bowl (8-4) Alabama vs (8-4) Kansas State
Pop Tarts Bowl #25 (9-3) BYU vs #19 (9-4) Kentucky
XBox Bowl #17 (12-1) Toledo vs (7-5) James Madison
Music City Bowl #18 (9-3) LSU vs (8-4) Michigan State


AWARDS SHOW

Clemson SR QB Dermarcus Davis won the Heisman beating out fellow QB's Tavien St Clair and Tre Alhlers as well as WR's Dezmen Roebuck and Khari Ismail.

Davis also beat out St Clair for the Maxwell, Walter Camp, Davey O'Brien and Johnny U Awards.

Davis finished with 4164 yds with 38 TD and 10 INT as well as 484 yds rushing and 10 TD

St Clair finished with 4039 yds with 29 TD and 2 INT as well as 764 yds and 8 TD. BSU was undefeated well Clemson has 3 loss's.. I personally feel like the voters got this one wrong.

Former Pitt Panther HC Patt Narduzzi replaced Coach Prime in Colorado and leading the Buffalo's to a perfect 13-0 record earns him the Bear Bryant Coach of the Year award over BSU's Shane Beamer and Miss State HC Bryant Vincent.

Like Demarcus Davis, UNC JR LB Dillion Henderson is a multiple award winner. Henderson takes home the Chuck Bednarik, the Bronko Nagurski, and the Dick Butkus. He had 91 tackles with 11 TFL 3 Sacks and 3 INT

USC SR RB Dravon Nicholson won the Doak Walker. He finished with 1127 yds rushing with 16 TD.

Colorado SR WR Dezmen Roekbuck takes home the Chuck Biletnikoff. He finished with 90 rec for 1385 yds and a nation leading 24 TD.

Georgia Khari Ismail finished #2.. He had 115 rec for 1743 yds and 13 TD. WSU's Brayden Trimble was #4.

Florida SR DE Jayden Woods was a multiple award winner as well, taking hom the Lombardi as well as Best Pass Rusher.. He head 54 Tackles with 28 TFL and 21 Sacks.

Washington State return man Deon Rugamba won the Jet Award.. He had 22 KR for 549 yds (25.0 avg) as well as 45 PR for 576 yds and 1 TD

Colorado FR QB Isiah Tull won the Shaun Alexander Award.. Tull threw for 3515 yds with 38 TD and 10 INT