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

[djp73]

Damn the OT turnover hurts bad

[Deuce2223]

oof rough L against Fresno, but encouraging you guys were in it

Just played the Apple Cup.. It's going to be a long season..

[Deuce2223]

Damn the OT turnover hurts bad

Believe it or not I think my Apple Cup games tops it. Will be posting next.

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 3 RECAP

When Washington left the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, fans of both schools worried about the future of the Apple Cup Rivalry, but school officials made it clear that the plan would be for both schools to at least continue the rivalry till 2030 however instead of playing on their traditional Thanksgiving weekend the matchup would now take place early in the season as apart of each schools non-conference schedule.

The series has been somewhat lopsided the past decade+ with Washington State winning just 3 matchups since winning back to back games in 2007/2008.. WSU latest victory game in 2024 when the Cougars pulled off a (24-19) win in Seattle, but the Huskies got their revenge last year in Pullman with a (59-24) victory.

Cougar fan's had high hopes for the 2026 matchup with Coach Kirby Moore and Matt Miller and company make their Apple Cup debut, but for a 2nd straight week, hearts were broken.

WSU jumped out to a early (7-0) lead but turnovers (INT"s ) continue to plague Cougar QB's as Ajjani Sheppard throws a pair of 1st half INT's that leads to Washington taking a (16-10) lead at the half.

Despite a 3rd INT by Sheppard in the 3rd Quarter, WSU was able to battle back to take the lead (20-16) lead as RB Leo Pulalasi breaks free for the biggest play of the season taking a handoff and going 72 yds to the house.. Still leading (20-16) going into the 4th, WSU was handed another huge blow as Sheppard is forced from the game for a 3rd straight week leaving backup QB Julian Dugger to take over once again and just like previous weeks Dugger's play wasn't very good. After completing his first 2 pass attempts Dugger would throw a "Pick 6" INT as SR SS Alex McLaughlin (87) takes it back 31 yds for the go ahead score (23-20). Dugger would then through a 2nd INT setting up a 19 yd touchdown pass from Husky QB Treston McMillian (81) to JR TE Decker DeGraaf (84) as the Huskies extend their lead to (30-20) with under 4 minutes to play. Dugger's 3rd series would be his best as the SO QB lead WSU on a 5 play 80 yd drive that involved a 26 yd run by the QB and 30 yd touchdown pass to Donovan Faupel to make it (30-27) with 2:04 to play in the game.

Despite 2 timeouts, Kirby Moore called for the onside kick catching the Huskies off guard as WSU comes up with the ball (1st time in this game (4 different dynasties) that I have actually recovered a onside kick). Still armed with 2 timeouts, Miller would try and run Pulalasi to setup a game tying FG and a 2nd straight Overtime game, but the Huskies were ready forcing a 3rd and long.. Rushing just 3 and dropping 8 into coverage the Huskies once again come away with the turnover as Dugger throws INT #3 ending any hopes of a comeback..

FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON-30 WASHINGTON STATE-27

PLAYER STATS
QB A. Sheppard-23/36 (63%) 199 yds 1 TD 3 INT sacked 3 times, 8 carries 51 yds
QB J. Dugger-8/17 (47%) 73 yds 1 TD 3 INT, sacked 2 times, 7 carries 54 yds
RB L. Pulalasi-19 carries 152 yds 1 TD, 3 rec 20 yds
RB/FB C. Provo-6 carries 18 yds
WR L. Creer-10 rec 105 yds 1 TD
WR D. Faupel-6 rec 75 yds 1 TD
WR T. Merriweather-1 rec 9 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-6 rec 62 yds

OFFENSE OUTLOOK

With 6 more INT's the Cougars now have thrown 13 INT's to just 5 TD's on the season.. Well Duggar has struggled throwing the ball he has developed into the team's 2nd best rusher behind Pulalasi as he now has 99 yds on 13 carries (7.6 avg).. Pulalasi's 152 yds now gives him 278 yds on the season and his 72 yd touchdown now gives him a team high 3 touchdowns. Pulalasi has also been a key member in the passing game with 15 rec for 149 yds.

With another 100 yd performance, True Freshman Lester Creer has clearly become the #1 target for whoever is a QB for the Cougars as he has a team high 27 rec or 303 yds and a team high 3 touchdowns., well fellow True Freshman TE Junior Fineanganofo is #2 on the team with 18 rec for 231 yds.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Despite the loss the Defense is playing it's butt's off and giving the Cougars opportunities to win every week. They held the Huskies to just 345 total yards of Offense and held UW to just 5/16 on 3rd down's, well recording 3 sacks on McMillian. Linebackers Gage Jones and Carsten Reynolds led the team in the tackles yet again with 9 each well SR CB Jaden Mickey finished the game without allowing a catch..

SPECIAL TEAMS
FR PK Adlai Lousnsbury missed his first FG of the season with a 44 yd miss in the 1st Quarter which now appears to be a bigger deal factoring in the final score. but he did manage to redeem himself knocking down a 2nd 44 yd attempt as well as a 32 yd kick near the end of the 2nd half

JR Punter had his worse game of the season.. He punted just 3 times but came away with a 37.7 Avg and a 31.3 net average

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 5 RECAP

Coming off back to back disappointing loss's at home, the Washington State Cougars would host the Idaho Vandals in the "Battle of the Palouse" Just 8 miles and a state line stand between these 2 land grant universities. The first record matchup started in 1894 as these 2 programs have been playing each other for over 130 years. WSU has dominated the series the past 100 years boasting a (55-5-2) record. (they don't play every year), with Idaho's last win coming in 2005, with Washington State winning the past 11 meetings including a 13-10 victory in 2025.


With both Ajani Sheppard and Julian Dugger struggling, Coach Moore made a bold move starting JC Transfer Doug Bayer at QB. Well Bayer doesn't have the running abilities of Sheppard or Dugger he does boast the best Awareness off the 3 (71) and at this point the Moore was willing to trying anything to cut down on the # of turnovers that have plagued his team in the first 3 weeks.

Bayer struggled on the opening series but found his groove on the next series getting some help from New Mexico State transfer Donovan Faupel as Faupel took a 8 yd slant pattern 82 yds to the house for the opening score of the game (7-0). Idaho would answer back with a score of it's own midway through the 1st but with 20 seconds to play in the Quarter Bayer would throw touchdown #2 as he finds backup TE Hudson Cedarland for a 33 yd pass and catch to give WSU the (14-7) lead.

WSU would open up the 2nd Quarter scoring with a 40 yd FG by Lounsbury to extend the lead to (17-7) and then midway through the 2nd Quarter Leo Pulalasi would extend the lead with his 4th touchdown of the season making it (24-7) with 4:42 to play in the half. Idaho would add a 31 yd FG with 2:37 to play making it (24-10) but WSU answers back as former Boise State Bronco Greg Ard scores his 2nd touchdown of the season taking a handoff from Bayer and going 24 yds for the score as WSU makes it (31-10) with 1:44 to play.

Idaho not giving up would manage to tack on a 45 yd FG with as the 2nd half comes to a close to make it (31-13)

Bayer would finish the 1st half 17/24 (70%) throwing for 265 yds with the 2 touchdowns. Pulalasi led all rushers with 20 carries for 74 yds to go with his score and Faupel would finish with 6 rec for 133 yds including his 82 yd score.

Injuries would plague the Cougars in the 2nd half as Pulalasi leaves the game in the on the opening series leading to extend playing time and carries by True Freshman Antonio Abbott and Greg Ard as well as FB Cliff Provo playing a bigger role in the offense as well.

Idaho opened up the scoring with a early 44 yd FG to make it (31-16). WSU answers back with a 27 yd FG by Lounsbury and then Idaho again setttles for a 47 yd FG with 1:22 to play in the 3rd to make it (34-19) as we head to the 4th.

WSU would extend their lead with yet another FG as Lounsbury drills a 44 yd kick in the opening seconds of the 4th, but after a quick 3 and out WSU would open up the playbook as Bayer finds Lester Creel for a 27 yd touchdown. to make it (44-19).. For Creel it was his 4th straight game with a touchdown. With over a 3 score lead, WSU would work the ground game and with 2:08 to play in the game Abbott would cap a 13 play 82 yd drive with a 1 yd touchdown run on a 4th and goal attempt, as WSU goes over 250 yds on the ground.

Well it appeared maybe the game was over SR CB AJ Davis would come up wiht a 22 yd INT return.. Despite having the ability to just kneel off the final seconds though Moore would use the final 52 seconds to work on a play that had been working on all week.. After back to back runs, Idaho would stack the box with 8 defenders leaving SR WR Tobias Merriweather wide open on the outside. The Utah transfer has had a pretty quite season so far but Bayer saw the lack of coverage and fired a bullet as Merriweather did the rest taking it 52 yds to the house as time expired...

FINAL SCORE WSU-57 IDAHO-19

PLAYER STATS
QB D. Bayer-29/44 (65%) 454 yds 4 TD 1 INT
RB L. Pulalasi-20 carries 74 yds 1 TD
RB A. Abbott-19 carries 56 yds 1 TD, 2 rec 25 yds
RB G. Ard-7 carries 66 yds 1 TD, 1 rec 8 yds
FB C. Provo-12 carries 72 yds, 3 rec 40 yds
WR D. Faupel-8 rec 153 yds 1 TD
WR T. Merriweather-5 rec 97 yds 1 TD
WR L.Creer-4 rec 69 yds 1 TD
TE J. Fineanganofo-2 rec 10 yds
TE H. Cedarland-2 rec 36 yds 1 TD
CB AJ Davis-1 INT


OFFENSE OUTLOOK
It's hard to gauge if the Offense was really good tonight or if the Vandals Defense just wasn't. Obviously only throwing 1 INT allowed for more scoring opportunities and more TOP.. With Pulalasi on the sidelines the rest of the RB room got some extended looks and played well, especially Greg Ard who finished with a 9.4 avg and the only 20+ yd run on the day. but everyone had a run of 10 yards or longer. Faupels and Merriweather's yard totals are a big skued with the 82 yd and 52 yd play because without them Fauple would've finished 7 for 70 yds and Merriweather 4-45.. Other teams just have better speed in the secondary to stop those big runs/yards after catch.

Bayer earned the opportunity to play and most likely start against Boise State next week. Sheppard I think still is the Best QB in terms of Overall talent but it was nice to finish a game with just 1 turnover.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK
I was a little surprised it took 39 minutes before getting a turnover against Idaho (They are only a 48 Overall). I was also surprised with the fact we only registered 4 sacks and only 4 TFL. But the run game was on point holding them to just 38 yds on 25 carries (1.5 avg) and well there was only 1 INT they did force the Vandals to turn the ball over twice on downs late in the 4th.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Lounsbury continues to impress as he goes 3/3 on FG and 6/6 on XPT.

Harris punted only 1 time but it wasn't great (31 yds)

Maxwell Woods continues to provide solid returns (3 KR 83 yds 27.6 avg)

[djp73]

Bayer just took care of Moore's headache

[redsox907]

like you said encouraging performance by Bayer, but hard to tell if its the lower rated comp that helped. But even if he isn't that explosive every game, the high awareness should help with turnovers

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 5 RECAP

After 2 straight disappointing loss's, excitement was at all time high after the Cougars snapped the losing streak with a big win over Idaho in the Battle of the Palouse, as Coach Kirby Moore and OC Matt Miller get their first crack at the Alma mater.

EWU transfer Doug Bayer played a solid game against Idaho earning the start against Boise but the Sophomore would last just 1 snap as he goes down hard on the opening series leaving Week 1-3 starter Ajani Sheppard to take over.. Bayer is expected to miss the next 3-4 weeks. Sticking to a conservative game plan, the Sheppard would actually play really well in the 1st half throwing a pair of touchdowns to Freshman Lester Creer but with less then a minute to play in the 1st half, Boise State would take the (16-14) lead as Colton Boomer knocks down his 3rd FG of the game.

Armed with all 3 timeouts and 48 seconds , Sheppard would revert to his former self trying to make the big play before the end of the half but SR FS Ty Benefield was ready as he hauls in the INT.

Boise State would open up the 2nd half with the ball and quickly went back to RB Dylan Riley who already had almost 100 yds rushing and a touchdown on the day for TD #2 as BSU extends their lead to (23-14) but Washington State would answer back with a pair of scores as Sheppard finds Leo Pulalasi out of the backfield for a 16 yd score and Freshman FB/RB Cliff Provo caps a 11 play 80 yd drive with a 12 yd touchdown run on a FB dive up the middle as Washington State takes the (28-23) lead into the 4th.

BSU would settle for Boomer's 4th FG of the game early in the 4th to make it (28-26) and then Broncos Defense comes up big forcing a 3 and out punt. The Broncos then went back to their bread and butter as Riley breaks free for his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game to make it (33-28) still with over 7 minutes to play.. A turnover on downs would lead to BSU getting the ball back in great field position as BSU finally scores through the air as Maddux Madsen finds JR WR Cameron Bates for a 38 yd score to extend the lead to (40-28) with 4 minutes to play.

Washington State running out of time for a comeback needed some big plays and finally got a couple as Sheppard finds Donovan Faupel on a 26 yd pass to move the ball pass midfield. A 26 yd run by Freshman Antonio Abbott would spark the crowd and 2 plays later it was Sheppard using his feet for a 20 yd touchdown run to cut the lead to (40-35) with 2:48 to play. Armed with all 3 timeouts, WSU elected to kickoff hoping for a quick 3 and out but the plan back fired as RS Freshman Gavin Packer takes it back 81 yds to the house for the score making it (47-35).. Despite the game being over Sheppard came out swinging but would throw his 2nd INT of the game setting up another Bronco score as Dylan Riley scores his 4th touchdown of the game.

Riley would take POG honors finishing with 24 carries for 188 yds and 4 scores.

FINAL SCORE BSU-47 WSU-35

KEY COUGARS
QB-A. Sheppard 25/43 241 yds 3 TD 2 INT, (sacked 6 times), 15 carries 48 yds 1 TD
RB L. Pulalasi-25 carries 101 yds, 5 rec 42 yds 1 TD
RB A. Abbott-4 carries 29 yds
FB C. Provo-4 carries 13 yds 1 TD
WR L. Creer-6 rec 66 yds 2 TD
WR T. Merriweather-7 rec 50 yds
WR D. Faupel-2 rec 38 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-4 rec 50 yds


OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Well on paper it doesn't look good that Sheppard ended up with 2 INT's #1 was at the end of the half and didn't really matter and #2 was also when the game was pretty much already over. Well the 0-Line continues to struggle protect the QB (Bayer's injury and Sheppard taking 6 sacks) they did manage to have a decent day run blocking but something is going to have to change if WSU has any chance at going Bowling this year. Pulalasi continues to shine both running and receiving and needs to play a bigger role in the offensive game plan, Creer also has become the clear cut #1 WR but it's been a struggle getting the ball to anyone else deep down the sidelines.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Holding BSU to 23 points in for 3 Quarters and then giving up 31 in the 4th was a major blow to what felt like a good game.. Giving up 250+ yards on the ground isn't going to win you alot of games but Riley is a great RB and had such a good game we never even saw Sire Gaines get a carry.. The D line did a decent job at chasing Madsen out of the pocket and didn't give up very many big passing plays minus the touchdown to Bates but giving up 72 yds rushing yards to Mad Dog isn't unacceptable.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Giving up a 81 yd kickoff return with the game on the line was like getting kicked in the balls.. It hurt..

[Deuce2223]

Bayer just took care of Moore's headache

If only.

[Deuce2223]

like you said encouraging performance by Bayer, but hard to tell if its the lower rated comp that helped. But even if he isn't that explosive every game, the high awareness should help with turnovers

Problem is we won't know. He is out for the next 3 weeks.