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

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 8 RECAP

Coming off a huge road win that moves the Cougars back to .500 on the season (3-3) Washington State returns home to Martin Stadium to host (4-2) Cal. The Bears favorites to potentially win the Pac-12 have been solid in conference play going 3-0 with wins over Utah State, San Diego State and Rice and have won 4 straight since their Week 1 loss to UCLA and Week 2 loss to BYU.

It was a Defensive grind to start the game as both offense's struggle to get things going but finally late in the 1st Quarter WSU would snap the scoreless game with a 20 yard FG by Adlai Lounsbury.

Cal led by former Kennesaw State QB Amari Odom (82 Ovr) would open up the 2nd Quarter with a touchdown to take the lead (7-3). WSU would answer back with a score of it's own Sheppard finds Dononvan Faupel for a 23 yd score to make it (10-7) but Odom would fire back with another 9 play 80 yd drive that included a 17 yd strike to 6'4 Ben Marshall in the back of the endzone to give Cal the (14-10) lead..

WSU would open up the 2nd half with the ball and after witnessing BSU run back a 81 yd punt return for a touchdown 3 weeks ago, Cougar fans in attendance got to see Freshman Lester Creer take back the opening kickoff 101 yds to the house to give WSU the (17-14) lead. The Offensive struggles would return for both teams each team took turns turning the ball over on downs leaving it (17-14) as we head to the 4th.

Creer wasn't done making big plays for the Cougars though as the Freshman continues to showcase his skills as WSU's #1 WR hauling in a 27 yd touchdown pass to open up the 4th Quarter scoring to give WSU a (24-14) lead. Then after a Odom fumble Sheppard and Creer would find each other again this time from 17 yds out as WSU extends their lead to (31-14) with 4:53 to play in the game.

Despite trailing by 3 scores, Cal didn't completely abandon the run game as JR RB Lamar Radclliffe (81) rewarded them with a 31 yd touchdown run to cut the lead to (31-21) with just over 3 minutes to play in the game.

WSU just 3 minutes away from finishing their first game without a turnover took no chances as the Cougars ran the ball 13 times including a pair of carries by Sheppard (20 yds) and a 5 yd touchdown run that closes out the game and hands Cal their first Pac-12 loss of the season.

FINAL SCORE WSU-38 CAL-21

KEY PLAYERS
QB A. Sheppard-23/35 (65%) 213 yds 3 TD, (Sacked 4 times) 12 carries 58 yds 1 TD
RB L. Pulalasi-24 carries 78 yds , 4 rec 19 yds
RB A. Abbott-8 carries 28 yds
FB C. Provo-11 carries 37 yds
WR L. Creer-7 rec 74 yds 2 TD 2 KR 118 yds 1 TD
WR D. Faupel-5 rec 72 yds 1 TD
WR T. Merriweather-4 rec 26 yds
TE J. Fineanganfo-3 rec 22 yds

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Another balanced day with 201 yds rushing and 213 yds passing. Th Offense had some struggles at times and a large part of that was the loss of 3 O-lineman including starters Hal Schmidt and BJ Tolo as well as reserve Jaylin Caldwell.

We will go more into detail about the shakeup to the line in a Team report.

Finishing a game without having Sheppard turning the ball over feels like such a huge accomplishment and now with the 3 TD's he actually has more TD (11) then INT (10). Maybe there is hope for him yet.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

SR DT Bryson Lamb hasn't made a bunch of plays this season but came up with a huge one in the 4th punching out the ball and recovering it as WSU records it's first turnover in the past 5 games.

Today was a big day for DE Malachi Wrice. The Redshirt Sophomore finished the game with 7 Tackles including 3 TFL and 2 Sacks. He know leads the Cougars with 5 sacks on the season.

Redshirt Sophomore Trey Ridley also had a big game finishing with a team high 10 Tackles.. It's Ridley's 2nd straight game with double digit tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Creer's kickoff return will be featured as a 2026 highlight for years to come. With the O-line struggles resulting in the Offensive struggles, that was a huge turning point play in the game.

Freshman PK Adlai Lounsbury was called on to attempt a 49 yd FG early in the 1st half. It was just his 2nd miss of the season in 14 attempts.

[Deuce2223]

Pretty sure awareness is irrelevant if you are controlling the player

Awareness as a user will still affect consistency on throws and lower awareness players go ice cold faster. Higher awareness will keep them from starting cold in road games and they'll be able to shake off interceptions faster and not go cold.

nice win. typing out Ganashamoorthy every update if he keeps contributing. Nickname similar to GNK incoming

Good to know on the Awareness thing cause yeah Sheppard spent most of the first 4 weeks as cold as Ice.

Ganashamorrthy, Fineanganofo and even Merriweather give my typing skills a workout. With Faupel and Merriweather both Seniors, he will likely earn a starting spot next season unless he transfers so yeah nickname incoming...

[Deuce2223]

Number one offense in the country with ypg, that sounds like a classic Cougars offense. Just need to get the defense to step up more and wins will be coming.

Well the Defense hasn't been creating any turnovers, I actually have been very happy with their performance.. INT's have been the game killers.. If I could get better QB play I would actually be 6-1 right now and honestly if you take on the 4th Quarter against BSU, I actually even had a chance to win that one.

I am okay with it though. I didn't expect or even want WSU to dominate my first season.. I want it to be a challenge.. We only have 1 game left against a team with a above .500 record so there is still a pretty strong possibility that we can end with 8 wins but worse case is we are only 2 wins away from going Bowling and with 0-7 Oregon State, plus 2-5 Utah State and 2-5 Texas State I feel pretty sure we can at least get those 2.

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 9 RECAP

Coming off what is probably their biggest win of the season defeating Cal and riding a 2 game win streak, emotions were high in Pullman as the Cougars boarded the plan for their flight to San Antonio to take on the UTSA.. The Road Runners season has been somewhat of a roller coaster since joining the Pac-12, as they kicked off their season with a pair of conference loss's (Stanford 44-22, and Texas State 37-33) before rebounding for wins over Colorado State- 59-38 and Oregon State- 49-24).. But a Week 8 loss to San Diego State (55-13) at home in the Dome gave WSU fans hope the Cougars could extend their 2 game win streak to 3 and if you watched the first 3 Quarters one would think they did.

WSU would take a early (7-3) lead in the 1st Quarter as Leo Pulalasi scores on a 13 yd touchdown run.. The Cougars Defense would put in some work in the 2nd Quarter holding UTSA to a trio of FG's and in sandwiched in between 2 of those kicks, the Cougar fans would witness another huge play by the Special teams as reserve RB Maxwell Woods returns a kick 101 yds to match Lester Creer's return from last week as WSU takes the (14-12) lead. WSU wasn't done though as the Defense picks off SR QB Owen McCown (85 ovr) setting up a Sheppard to Creer 14 yd touchdown as WSU extends their lead to (21-12) going into the half.

Both teams would exchange FG's in the 3rd to make it (24-15) midway through the 3rd. Still (24-15) going into the 4th, UTSA would cut into the lead as SO RB Frankie Arthur (77) takes it in from 16 yds out to make it (24-22).. WSU would respond with a 11 play 84 yd drive but the Road Runner Defense comes up big on 4th and 2 as Moore and Miller leave the Offense on the field rather then take the 5 point lead with a FG, a move that will now be questioned the rest of the season.. UTSA and McCown would waste little time moving the ball down field as McGown starts to pick apart a very exhausted Cougar secondary as he hits JR WR Jalen Smith (75) on a 40 yd bomb to give the Road Runners the (29-24) lead with 3:48 to play.

Sheppard still armed with all 3 timeouts wouldn't need the as the SO QB scrambles for a pair of 20+ yd runs to move the ball past mid field.. Then with 2:12 to play in the game, Sheppard would hit True Freshman FB/RB Cliff Provo out of the backfield for a screen pass and Provo would do the rest taking it 16 yds to the house as WSU retakes the lead (31-29) .

McCown however wasn't going down without a a fight as the SR QB finds JR WR Jalen Halen on a 49 yd yard bomb to push the Road Runners into FG range in just 1 play. Still armed with all 3 of their timeouts UTSA wasn't ready to just settle for a FG and for good reason as McCown 4 plays later scrambles in from 12 yds out to give UTSA the lead.

Still armed with all 3 of their timeouts Sheppard would try 1 more time to lead the Cougars to victory but a pair of sacks and a Lester Creer drop pass on 3rd and 18 would lead to a turnover on downs as Sheppard is tackled short of the 1st down..

McCown finished the game 42/55 (76%) throwing for 487 yds with 1 TD and 1 INT well also adding the game winning touchdown run.
RB F. Arthur finished the game with 28 carries for 124 yds and 1 TD, well Jaelen Smith led the WR with 10 rec for 161 yds and the 1 TD.

FINAL SCORE UTSA-36 WSU-31

KEY COUGARS
QB A. Sheppard-29/44 (65%) 271 yds 2 TD, 12 carries 66 yds (sacked 5 times)
RB L. Pulalasi-25 carries 68 yds (2.7 avg) 1 TD
FB/RB C. Provo-14 carries 86 yds (6.1 avg), 7 rec 51 yds 1 TD
WR L Creer-10 rec 90 yds 1 TD (4 drops)
WR T. Merriweather-4 rec 47 yds
WR D. Faupel-2 rec 18 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-7 rec 47 yds
CB K Rapolla-1 INT

OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Despite 494 yard of Offense including another 200+ (52 carries 223 yd) day on the ground, we struggled to convert plays when we needed them in the 2nd half. 5 sacks with 3 on the drive to try and win the game and 8 drop pass's including a season high 4 by Creer were drive killers.

It was cool to see Clifford Provo step up with a big game. He actually has been catch ratings then Pulalasi, so I gave him a whirl as the 3rd down back which lead to career highs both rushing and receiving.

DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK

Like the BSU game we played 3 Quarters great and gave the team a chance to win the game but McCown is a gunslinger and he wasn't giving up UTSA actually ran more plays (100 vs 96) and dominated the TOP (22:54 to 17:06) and the Defense was gassed by the 4th Quarter.

It was nice to finally get a INT. After recording 3 in the first 3 games it's been a drought.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Back to back games with a 101 yd return.. I can't say I can remember that ever happening especially with 2 different players.

[redsox907]

good to see that Sheppard didn't lose the game for you, as has been the case earlier this year with QB play. Defense built like a sieve, which we knew going into the season.

If you can get a few more impact players defensively ya'll will be bowling next year

[Deuce2223]

good to see that Sheppard didn't lose the game for you, as has been the case earlier this year with QB play. Defense built like a sieve, which we knew going into the season.

If you can get a few more impact players defensively ya'll will be bowling next year

We are still going Bowling this year. We got 0-8 OSU in Week 10 and then still have currently (2-6) Utah State and (2-6) Texas State in Week 12 and 13. Utah State is our last home game of the season so I feel like as long as we don't let the Beavers pick up their first win, the plan is to make sure we send out the Seniors as winners (even if there is only 9 of them.

I am getting ready to post a Team Report with a update on Recruiting.. It's been a tough go getting guy's to commit and I just lost my #1 Defensive target but I still have hope that we can duplicate at least a Top-40 class. I am actually more worried about the O-line then anything.

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 10 TEAM REPORT

LET'S GO BOWLING!!

Washington State will go into it's final 4 games needing to win at least 2 of them to become bowl eligible with at least 6 wins. With 0-8 Oregon State and a pair of games against (2-6) Utah State and (2-6) Texas State, WSU is currently favored to do so by the Vegas odd makers. Coach Moore however has made it very clear that his goal is to just take it 1 game at a time.

INJURY UPDATE

QB Doug Bayer and RB Greg Ard have been cleared and have returned to practice but reports out of Pullman is Coach Moore might have to have open tryouts to find some healthy players for the 0-Line for the final month of the season. The Cougars will have just 9 active players for the 0-Line over the next 3 weeks well starting OT Hal Schmidt (3 weeks Broken Toe) and OG BJ Tole (2 weeks Broken Ribs) join reserve Jaylin Caldwell (3 weeks Dislocated Elbow)


Bayer who threw for 461 yds with 4 TD against Idaho back in Week 4 and Ard the Boise State transfer who has 15 carries for 79 yds (5.3 avg) and 2 TD will give OC Matt Miller some added firepower for the Cougars final 4 games..


RECRUITING NEWS

WSU has it's first official signing of the 2026 Class as 4* WR Calvin Ware (#96 Overall/#2 OR/#21 WR) has officially signed.. Listed at 6'2 191lbs from Portland Oregon, Wayne could very well follow in Lester Creer's footsteps and be a Day 1 starter next season with the impending graduation of current starters Tobias Merriweather and Donovan Faupel.

WSU also has officially moved into 1st place as the Cougars are actively recruiting 4* QB Johnathan Provo (#101 Overall/#2 MS/#11 QB).. Listed at 6'0 192lbs from Jackson Mississippi is scheduled to visit Pullman in Week 12.. Up until now Provo has had TCU as his #1 choice...

Word out of Provo's camp is that the 4* is still weighing his options and has Playing time as one of his Deal Breakers meaning he could wait and see what the transfer portal decisions look like in terms of Ajani Sheppard and Julian Dugger.

Well Provo is still undecided and Wayne is a Cougar, 2 other players have officially removed themselves from the Cougars Top-25 board including 4* MLB Cameron Phung (#433 Overall/#6 WA/#50 MLB) from Bellevue WA and 3* CB Najee Spruce (#892 Overall/#7 OR/#69 CB) from Hood River OR.. Both players are signing with Boise State after taking Week 8 visits to "The Blue". Phung came to Pullman back in Week 4 well Spruce had a Week 6 visit.

TEAM STAT LEADERS
QB A. Sheppard-1803 yds (63%) 13 TD 10 INT, 76 carries 303 yds 3 TD
QB D Bayer-461 yds (65%) 4 TD 1 INT
QB J. Dugger-239 yds (48%) 2 TD 6 INT, 13 carries 99 yds

RB L. Pulalasi-166 carries 718 yds 6 TD, 26 rec 233 yds 1 TD
RB C. Provo-54 carries 247 yds 1 TD, 16 rec 92 yds 1 TD
RB A. Abbott-56 carries 210 yds 4 TD, 4 rec 40 yds
RB G. Ard-15 carries 79 yds 2 TD, 3 rec 19 yds

WR L. Creer-57 rec 674 yds 11 TD
WR D. Faupel-39 rec 530 yds 3 TD
WR T. Merriweather-28 rec 304 yds 1 TD
WR C. Pabst-6 rec 75 yds 1 TD
WR B. Ganashmoorthy-4 rec 60 yds
TE J. Fineganofo-34 rec 413 yds

LB G. Jones-61 Tackles, 7 TFL 2 Sacks
FS K. Patu-54 Tackles
LB C. Reynolds-51 Tackles 6 TFL, 1.5 Sacks
SS T. Ridley-50 Tackles 5 TFL
CB J. Mickey49 Tackles 1 INT
FS A. Palano-44 Tackles, 2 TFL
CB K Rapolla-42 Tackles, 3 INT
LB D. Pritchard-35 Tackles, 1 Sack
DE M. Wrice-35 Tackles 11 TFL, 5. Sacks
CB A. Davis-34 Tackles, 1 INT
DE F. Lecuona 28 Tackles 9 TFL 3.5 Sacks
DT B. Lamb 26 Tackles 6 TFL 3. 0 Sacks

PK A Lounsbury-13/15 FG (49 long) 31/31 XPT
P R. Harris- 37 punts 1614 yds 43.6 Avg, 36.5 Net Avg, (62 long).

KR L. Creer-20 KR 471 yds (23.5 avg) 1 TD (101)
KR/PR M. Woods-18 KR 496 yds (27.6 avg) 1 TD (101), 20 PR 239 yds (11.9 avg)

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 10 RECAP

After playing each other 4 times in the past 2 years, WSU and Oregon State came up with the Cascade Cup, a new rivalry formed between these 2 Land-Grant Universities. To add to the rivalry, Coach Kirby Moore added former Oregon State HC/DC Trent Bray who was fired after a 0-7 start last season for the Beavers, adding more fuel to the fire as OSU came into this week's matchup 0-8 including a 0-5 record in Pac-12 play.

The Beavers have been horrific this season with loss's to Texas Tech (45-7) Oregon (59-7) Rice (35-14) and UTSA (49-24) but for the past 2 weeks OSU has come close to picking up their first win battling Fresno State (35-28) and Stanford (35-32) to Overtime. Today's game would be no different.

Tied (7-7) at the end of the 1st, WSU gave Oregon State a chance to take the lead twice as Ajani Sheppard reverts to his former self with 2 1st half INT"s but after exchanging Field Goals to make it (10-10) it was Sheppard lead the Cougars down field setting up a Leo Pulalasi touchdown to give WSU the (17-10) lead going into the locker room.

Pulalasi would start the 2nd half on the sidelines, as Boise State transfer Greg Ard took over at RB. Ard would respond by helping WSU score on back to back drives with a pair of touchdowns after missing the past 4 games with his own injury. Leading (31-10) midway through the 3rd Quarter it looked like maybe WSU was going to run away with it but Oregon State QB Kallen Gutridge (73 ovr) had other plans. Gutridge would connect on a 17 yd tochdown to TE Arlis Boardingham (80) to cut the lead to (31-17) to close out the 3rd Quarter.. Then after forcing a punt early in the 4th, Gutridge would lead the Beavers on a 8 play drive ending with a 28 yd touchdown strike to JR WR Zach Card (77) to to cut the lead to (31-24).

A turnover on downs inside the 10 yd line by the Cougars would set up OSU for a 94 yd 13 play drive ending with Gutridge's 3rd touchdown as backup TE Copper Jensen hauls in a 5 yd score to tie the game (31-31) with 3:18 to play in the game.

Again WSU would drive down the field and move the ball inside the 10 yd line but for a 2nd straight series the Cougars would fail to find the endzone this time settling for a 18 yd FG by Lounsbury to give WSU the (34-31) lead with under 2 minutes to play.. But just like last week the WSU Defense goes MIA in the 4th as Gutridge continues to shred the Cougar Defense leading the Beavers into Field Goal range as OSU forces Overtime for a 3rd straight week.

The Beavers would win the toss and elect to start on Defense as the Cougars Offense take the field.. Sheppard however would waste little time putting the Cougars back on top as he keeps the ball himself scrambling for the go ahead touchdown

OSU now forced to score to keep things going would drive the ball down to the 5 yd line but trying to get tricky the Beavers call for a Jet Sweep to the 5'9 164lb Zach Card who fails to hold onto the handoff as DE Malachi Wrice jumps on the loose ball for the game winning turnover..

**Gutridge finished the game 31/44 (70%) for 313 yds and the 3 TD, SR RB Omar Wiggins had 29 carries for 164 yds and 1 TD.. Not exactly sure why the put the ball in Card's hands at the end of the game.**

FINAL SCORE WSU-41 OSU-34

KEY COUGS
QB A. Sheppard-40/61 (65%) 419 yds, 4 carries 38 yds 1 TD
RB G. Ard-14 carries 59 yds 2 TD
FB C. Provo-12 carries 52 yds, 8 rec 92 yds
RB L. Pulalasi-10 carries 39 yds 2T D, 2 rec 15 yds
WR L. Creer-12 rec 102 yds
WR T. Merriweather-9 rec 99 yds
WR D. Faupel-4 rec 43 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-5 rec 68 yds


INJURY UPDATE

Pulalasi has a broken thumb and will miss the remainder of the regular season (4 weeks) but could be back for a potential Bowl game.

LT Sone Falealo (Schmidt's replacement) also goes down with a Broken Collarbone (7 weeks). With Falealo out RS FR Trevor Bindel becomes the starting LT well fellow RS FR Isaiah Lyons will now the the primary backup at all positions on the O-line, leaving True Freshman Andy Weiner to play the final 4 games potentially a additional backup after spending the previous 10 weeks on redshirt.

[Deuce2223]

AROUND THE NATION RECAP

With the arrival of Week 11 we will now move to the CFB Rankings and also take a look at the current CFP Bracket.

TOP-25
#1 (9-0) Michigan (The Wolverines still have #3 Ohio State and #20 Michigan State to close out the season after hosting Northwestern)
#2 (9-0) Miami (The Hurricanes have (6-3) FSU and (3-6) UCF) both at home to close out their season after a road trip to Kentucky)
#3 (8-1) Ohio State (The Buckeyes face the same 3 squads as the Wolverines just in different order, they host MSU this week and then close out their season with road trips to the Big House and Northwestern)
#4 (9-0) BYU (The Cougars will square off against Arizona then a road trip to ASU before hosting #15 Utah in rivalry week)
#5 (9-0) North Texas (The Mean Green defeated #21 Baylor and #17 TTU at home but still have to close things out vs Oklahoma State and then road trips to TCU and Houston)
#6 (8-1) Oregon (The Ducks lost to UCLA in Week 8 but rebounded with wins over Washington and #19 USC, but now face #7 Penn State, #24 Indiana and Notre Dame to close out their season.
#7 (8-1) Penn State (They share the same schedule as Oregon, only they will play @ Notre Dame in Week 12 and then vs Indiana in Week 13.
#8 (7-2) LSU.. The Tigers moved up 4 spots with a (29-27) win over previous #7 Florida.. But now face 3 tough road games @ #10 Alabama, @ #16 Auburn and then Tulane to close out their season.
#9 (7-3) Georgia. The Bulldogs were ranked #3 before losing to #18 Clemson this past week (48-45).. They should bounce back though as they don't face another team above .500 for the rest of the season.
#10 (8-1) Alabama.. With 3 straight games vs Top-25 teams #8 LSU, #11 Florida and #16 Auburn they control their own destiny. Win out and they are probably a Top4 seed.
#11 (7-2) Florida.. They were ranked #6 before their loss to LSU.. They can't afford another loss if they want to make the playoffs.
#12 (7-2) Louisville.. They are favored to win out which should secure themselves a spot in the ACC Championship and most likely the playoffs

#13 (7-2) Nebraska
#14 (7-2) Duke
#15 (8-1) Utah
#16 (7-2) Auburn
#17 (7-2) Texas Tech
#18 (6-3) Clemson
#19 (7-2) USC (Was ranked #8 but lost to Notre Dame 25-24 in Week 10)
#20 (7-2) Michigan State
#21 (7-2) Baylor
#22 (6-3) Texas A&M
#23 (6-3) Ole Miss
#24 (6-3) Indiana
#25 (9-0) UNLV

**BSU was ranked #23 but fell from the ranking despite being 8-1 coming off a (38-35) win over Cal.. The Broncos only loss of the season was Week 1 to #6 Oregon just like their 2024 season.. They are favored to win out as they face Oregon State in Week 11 then UTSA and Rice at home to close out the season, so I would assume at some point they would rejoin the Top-25 and potentially push UNLV for the #12 At-Large bid??

PROJECTED BRACKET

#12 UNLV vs #5 North Texas .. Winner vs #4 BYU
#8 LSU vs #9 Georgia... Winner vs #1 Michigan
#11 Florida vs #6 Oregon.. Winner vs #3 Ohio State
#10 Alabama vs #7 Penn State. Winner vs #2 Miami

In this projection they have Alabama winning the SEC yet LSU and Georgia are seeded lower. 4 Teams from the SEC and 4 teams from the Big Ten and not a single team from the Pac-12 and only 1 team from the ACC makes me question this playoff model.

HEISMAN WATCH

Oregon's JR QB Dante Moore has taken over the #1 spot in the voting.. Moore has thrown for 2583 yds with 30 TD and 1 INT well also rushing for 448 yds with 4 TD

USC SR QB Jayden Maiava is currently #2.. Maviava has thrown for 2860 yds with 31 TD and 5 INT, well also rushing for 438 yds and 1 TD

N. Texas SO QB Drew Mestemaker is currently #3. Mestemaker has thrown for 3388 yds with 23 TD and 2 INT well also rushing for 349 yds with 5 TD.. Last season Mestemaker threw for 5097 yds with 34 TD and INT

Former Cal, Current LSU SO QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is #4.. Saga has thrown for 3291 yds with 29 TD and 3 INT well also rushing for 251 yds with 4 TD

Alabama SR QB Ty Simpson is #5.. Simpson has thrown for 2932 yds with 30 TD and 2 INT, well aslso rushing for 336 yds with 2 TD.

[djp73]

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