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

[Deuce2223]

61 passes

This has been a year of trying to establish our offensive identity, but INT struggles have really made it hard to commit to bringing back the Air Raid cause the current 0-Line starters we have have much better run blocking skills then pass blocking. and our RB room is for sure our #1 strength. 61 is still along way off of Conner Halliday's record of 89... I am actually running Missouri's playbook right now and I typically just go with coach suggestion unless I am on 3rd down, then tend to take a little more time trying to find the right play. This game didn't seem to work well cause I finished 6-16 on 3rd Down and 2-4 on 4th.

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 11 RECAP

Stanford came into the game (8-2) Overall (lost to #9 Penn State 44-27 and Notre Dame 47-45) and a perfect (7-0) in Pac-12 play but the Cardinals have had some close games (beat UTSA 44-42 in OT and beat Oregon State 35-32 in OT).

It was a rainy afternoon at Stanford stadium and the weather showed it's teeth early as the Cougars received the opening kick. After a pair of 1st down runs by Antonio Abbott making his first start at Halfback, Ajani Sheppard would take the 3rd snap of the game and roll to his right on a designed QB run that would net the Cougars 38 yds but a fumble at the end of the play would lead to the Cardinals taking a early (7-0) lead.. WSU would battle back though through as the Cougars score on a pair as Sheppard finds Lester Creer on a 38 yd score to tie the game and then after a quick 3 and out, Abbot would lead WSU down the field with a trio of 1st down runs including a 19 yd touchdown run that lead to a a (14-7) lead. The Cougar Defense continued to play lights out forcing the Cardinals into another punt and with time leading to the first of 3 FG's by Freshman Adlai Lounsbury on the day.

Trailing (17-7), Stanford would cut the lead to (17-14) as JR QB Dylan Rizk (78) finds SO WR Marcus Brown (77) on a 49 yd bomb down the sidelines. A Sheppard INT would lead to the Cardinals retaking the lead (21-17) as former Utah/New Mexico State RB Dijon Stanley (84) scores his 2nd touchdown with 2:48 to play in the half.. WSU however would cut into the lead with a 44 yd FG by Lounsbury to make it (21-20) going into the locker room.

Stanford would open up the 2nd half with the ball but a quick 3 and out would turn into a punt, and when the WSU offense retook the the field it was SO David Bayer leading the way, making his first appearance since his injury in Week 5 against Boise State, after leading the Cougars to a win over Idaho in Week 4.

Bayer's 3rd Quarter was a mix of good and bad results. The SO QB would complete 7/11 pass's (63%) for 64 yds well setting Lounsbury up for his 3rd FG of the day but he also turned the ball over twice (Fumble and INT) but luckily for the Cougars the Defense would turn both turnovers into just FG's as Stanford takes the the (27-26) lead.

With the passing game struggling, the Cougars would turn their attention back to the ground attack as FB Cliff Provo steps up to supplement Abbott filling in for Leo Pulalasi as Provo caps a 7 play drive with a 13 yd touchdown run as WSU retakes the lead (32-27).. Leading by 5, WSU would leave the offense on the field trying to make it a touchdown lead but Bayer is sack as his day goes from bad to worse yet again, as he leaves the field with the help of teammates.

Stanford's Offensive struggles would continue into the 4th as the Cardinals turn the ball over on down failing to convert a 4th down.. With Bayer on the sidelines, the Cougars were left with another decision as QB Julian Dugger took the field for the first time since throwing 3 INT's in the Cougars loss to Washington back in Week 3, but Dugger's return also is short lived as the Sophomore is sacked twice and goes 0/5 before WSU is forced to punt.

Armed with another chance Stanford again fails to take advantage though as the Cougar Defense finally shows up for 4 quarters as SR CB Kai Rapolla comes up with his 4th INT of the season . Despite his first half turnovers, Ajani Sheppard would retake the field with a renewal of confidence as the SO QB leads WSU down the field going 4/4 on the series including a 17 yd strike to Creer as WSU extends their lead to (40-27) with 4 minutes to play.

Another turnover on downs would lead to Lounsbury 4th FG of the day as WSU extended their lead to (43-27) as Cardinal Stadium started to empty., but the Cardinals struggles were not over.. Still armed with 2 timeouts and 2:18 to play in the game Stanford would never get a chance to use them as the as SO SS Trey Ridley forces a fumble on a blitz from the outside, as 6'2 302lb DT Bryson Lamb scoops up the loose ball and rumbles 22 yds to the house for he final score of the game.

FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON STATE-51 STANFORD-27

KEY COUG'S
QB A. Sheppard-17/25 (65%) 205 yds 3 TD 1 INT, 5 carries 68 yds 1 Fumble
QB D. Bayer-7/11 (63%) 64 yds 1 INT, 1 Fumble
RB A. Abbott-29 carries 127 yds (4.4 avg) 1 TD
FB C. Provo-15 carries 68 yds 1 TD, 1 rec 10 yds
WR L. Creer-12 rec 140 yds 3 TD
WR D. Faupel-5 rec 53 yds
WR T. Merriweather-2 rec 20 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-2 rec 28 yds

Moore after the game

"We watched alot of film this week of the Cardinals games against UTSA and Oregon State.. We knew that the key to victory was to shut down the run game and we did that.. I am super proud of our Defense today.. We might have scored 43 points with our Offense but this game was won by our Defense.. Holding them Dijon Stanley to just 36 yds on 17 carries was huge. Holding a Cardinal Offense that came in averaging 36 points to just 3 touchdowns despite turning the ball over 4 times is amazing to me.. If you had said we would win the game and by 24 points with 4 turnovers I would've laughed you out of the room."

**Injury notes- QB David Bayer is ruled out for the remainder of the season. with a broken leg (poor guy can't catch a break) Also RB Greg Ard wasn't mentioned in the recap but he left the game early in the 1st Quarter establish just 6 yds on 7 carries well also fumbling the ball that WSU recovered. .He is listed as questionable next week. Antonio Abbott also left the game midway through the 4th as he struggle with the increase workload late in the game (he had a -8 off his speed with wear and tear a the end of the game.)...

IMPACT FROM THE GAME

The Cougars are officially going Bowling as they pickup their 6th win of the season.. WSU is currently projected to play Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl, but the Pac-12 also still has ties to the La Bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl and the Sun Bowl.

WSU will host Utah State next week for "Senior Night" The Aggies snapped a 3 game losing streak this week with a (34-31) win over Texas State to improve to (2-5) in Pac-12 play and (3-7) Overall.

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 12 RECAP

Fresh off what could be considered their biggest win of the season, Washington State celebrated Senior Day as the Cougars took on the Utah State Aggies.. With just 9 Seniors on the roster including 4 who were closing out their college chapter in Pullman, each player had the opportunity to be honors by both fans/family and teammates before the game.

The game started off slow as WSU coming off a 51 point performance last week against Stanford as Utah State took at early (7-0) lead but the Cougars would rally in the 2nd Quarter scoring twice as the Cougars get big play in the receiving game as SR Donavan Faupel hauls in a 45 yd touchdown and Lester Creer scores from 29 yds out.

For Creer it was his 15th touchdown of the season Gabe Marks (2015) school record.

Utah State would score a late touchdown with under a minute to play to tie the game (14-14). WSU would open up the 2nd half with the ball and needed just 3 plays to retake the lead as Sheppard throws 41 yd bomb to Redshirt Freshman Carter Pabst making it (21-14). Then after forcing a turnover on down Sheppard and Pabst would hook up for touchdown #2 as WSU extends their lead yet again (28-14). WSU wasn't done though as they add on 1 more score before the 4th as Antonio Abbott caps off a 9 play drive with a 4 yd touchdown.

Still leading (35-14) midway through the 4th, Abbott would strike again as the True Freshman breaks free for his longest run of the season going 43 yds to the house pushing him over 100 yds on the day giving him back to back 100+ yd games since taking over for Leo Pulalasi. Utah State would manage a late score after Sheppard is picked off in the endzone, the Aggies would go 80 yds ending in a 13 yd touchdown run by FR RB Terrelle Sandland.

FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON STATE-42 UTAH STATE-21

KEY COUGS
QB A. Sheppard-21/36 (58%) 354 yds 4 TD 1 INT, 18 yds rushing
RB A. Abbott-20 carries 105 yds 2 TD,, 1 rec 11 yds
FB C. Provo-7 carries 52 yds, 1 rec 8 yds
WR D. Faupel-8 rec 149 yds 1 TD
WR C. Pabst-3 rec 62 yds 2 TD
WR L. Creer-3 rec 45 yds 1 TD
WR T. Merriweather-2 rec 28 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-3 rec 51 yds


RECRUITING UPDATE
With the Cougars final home game in the books, Coach Kirby Moore and the Cougars staff hosted their final on campus visit coming away with their 2nd signing of the season as Moore and Miller add a 2nd 4* WR to the WR room.

5'9 184lb Deon Rugamba (#317 Overall/#5 WA/#62 WR from Seattle WA had multiple Pac-12 offers including Cal and Oregon State..

Moore

"We are ver excited to add Deon to the mix.. I think with Lester Creer having the type of season he is having and with both Tobias (Merriweather) and D-0 (Donovan Faupel) set to graduate we are looking to replace currently 97 receptions 1251 yds and 5 TD. Carter showed today we got some guy's already on the roster ready to step up but with a offense that typically has 3 WR on the field at all times we are still looking for the right mix of guy's to play next to L.C. (Creer) next year"

Even with the signing of Wayne and Rugamba, reports are that WSU is still very high on another 4* WR in Rayshon Jones (#171 Overall/#1 ID/#35 WR) The Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year (#1 recruit) currently has WSU #1 but after taking a visit to Seattle in Wee 12, Washington has closed the gap .

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 12 AROUND THE NATION RECAP

TOP-25

#1 (11-0) Michigan.
The Wolverines held onto the #1 spot with a (49-41) victory over Ohio State.. With the win Michigan also clinched a spot in the Big Ten Championship.

#2 (11-0) Miami
The Hurricanes handled business against Florida state (31-16) to remain perfect and like Michigan has cemented themselves a spot in the ACC title game.

#3 (10-1) Oregon
The Ducks move up 1 spot from #4 The Ducks beat Penn State in Week 11 (47-42) and cruised to a (34-7) win over Indiana in Week 12 with (7-4) Notre Dame the only thing standing in their way to a potential matchup with #1 Michigan in the Big Ten title.

#4 (11-0) BYU
The Cougars back to back wins over Arizona State and Arizona have them in line for a perfect 12-0 finish if they can get past instate rival #12 (10-1) Utah who would like nothing more then to hand them their first loss.

#5 (11-0) North Texas
The Mean Green have been unstoppable in their 1st season in the Big 12 as they pick up a (49-41) win over TCU.. It UNT can defeat Houston we would and BYU beats Utah we will have a matchup of (2) 12-0 schools in the Big 12 Championship.

#6 (9-2) Florida
The Gators handed #7 Alabama a (52-35) loss dropping the Tide out of the Top-12 well moving up 3 spots in the process. But unless the Tide fall to Auburn i the Iron Bowl, the Gators will miss the SEC Championship.

#7 (9-2) Georgia
The Bulldogs are just 1 win away from cementing their spot in the SEC Championship.. Georgia has won the past 2 beating Ole Miss in 2025 and Texas in 2024. after losing to Alabama back in 2023.

#8 (9-2) Louisville
With Miami currently undefeated, it's likely that the Cardinals will not make the ACC Championship but they are on pace to at least host a 1st Round Playoff game.

#9 (9-2) Penn State
The Lions (41-24) win over Notre Dame keeps them in the playoff hunt but even with a win next week against Indiana, they will likely be traveling in Round 1.

#10 (9-2) Nebraska
Like PSU the Cornhuskers 2 Big Ten loss's will keep them out of the title game but at this point it appears that they have at least locked up a playoff bid .
#11 (9-2) Duke
The Blue Devils are the likely favorite to play Miami in the ACC title game but could a 3rd loss be the end of their playoff dreams with several 2 loss teams waiting in the wings to take their spot.

#12 (10-1) Utah
The Utes have a chance to seal their playoff hopes with a win over #4 BYU in Week 13.. A loss and they will likely fall outside the Top-12 and lose their spot.

#13 (9-2) Ohio State
The Buckeyes not only lost their chance at a Big Ten Championship and a Top-4 seed but also put their entire playoff hopes in jeopardy with their loss to #1 Michigan..

#14 (9-2) Texas Tech
Timing is every.. Despite their only loss's being to #4 BYU and #5 North Texas, the Red Raiders are likely going Bowling vs playing for a National Title.

#15 (9-2) Alabama
If the Tide beat #19 Auburn in the Iron Bowl they can still secure a spot in the SEC title game and possibly make a late push into the playoff picture.

#16 (8-3) Ole Miss
#17 (8-3) Texas A&M
#18 (8-3) Oklahoma
#19 (8-3) Auburn
#20 (11-0) UNLV **
#21 (10-1) Boise State **
#22 (8-4) Pitt
#23 (9-2) Southern Miss
#24 (8-3)UNC
#25 (8-3) USC

UNLV and Boise State are not just battling for potentially their first ever MWC and Pac-12 Championships but both schools are fighting for a playoff berth. The Rebels will face instate rival Nevada as they look to close out the year a perfect 12-0 well Boise State will look to win it's 11th straight win a victory over Rice.

Current Bracket projections has UNLV winning out and securing the #12 seed with BSU losing to Stanford in the Pac-12 title game and missing the playoffs all together.

[redsox907]

nice winning streak to finish off a positive first season in Pullman. Excited to see what bowl you end up with and if you can finish with an 8th win

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 13 RECAP

Washington State dominated Texas State to close out the 2026 regular season with their 8th win marking a very successful 1st year for Coach Kirby Moore and company..

The Cougars bounced back from a early INT by QB Ajani Sheppard getting on the scoreboard with a 9 yd touchdown run by FB Cliff Provo and then after a Jaden Micky INT, Sheppard would redeem himself by tossing a 14 yd touchdown to Tobias Merriweather to make it (14-0) in the first 3 minutes of the game. Texas State would jump onto the scoreboard with 1:18 to play in the quarter after settling for 29 yd FG to make it (14-3).

A 2nd INT by Sheppard would lead to a 47 yd FG by James to cut the lead to (14-6) but WSU answers back with a FG of their own as Lounsbury hits from 22 yds out to make it (17-6) with 6 minutes to play in the half.

Texas State would again cut the lead with a 8 yd pass from FR QB Gavin Parkhurst (73) to SR WR Beau Sparks (88) making it (17-13) with 3 minutes to go but with 1:47 to play Antonio Abbott would cap off a 9 play drive with a 1 yd touchdown run making it (24-13) and then after a quick 3 and out, Sheppard would find Lester Creer on a 37 yd pass to set up a 36 yd FG by Lounsbury as time expires as WSU goes into the locker room up (27-17)..

Washington State would dominate the 2nd half on both sides of the ball as Abbott and Provo continued to be a dominating duo filling in for Leo Pulalasi as Abbott scores 3 more times to finish the game with a career high 4 touchdowns on the day well also surpassing Pulalasi for the team lead with 11 touchdowns on the season.

Well the Bobcats had no answers on defense for the Cougars run game they also didn't have any answers on how to generate points on offense as they finish the game 2/15 on 3rd Down and just 285 yds of Total Offense with just 15 1st Downs on the day.

FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON STATE-49 TEXAS STATE-13

KEY COUG'S
QB A. Sheppard-28/44 (63%) 394 yds 1 TD 2 INT, 36 yds rushing
RB A. Abbott-25 carries 95 yds 4 TD, 3 rec 40 yds
RB C. Provo-22 carries 87 yds 1 TD, rec 37 yds
RB G. Ard-5 carries 30 yds
WR L. Creer-8 rec 149 yds
WR D. Faupel-6 rec 82 yds
WR T. Merriweather-6 rec 65 yds 1 TD
TE J. Fineanganofo-2 rec 21 yds

IIMPACT FROM THE GAME

With the win WSU has officially tied Fresno State for the 3rd best record in Pac-12 play at (6-3) and with Boise State projected to make the College Football Playoffs should they defeat Stanford in the Pac-12 title game, the current bowl projections are now

Stanford vs Baylor-Alamo Bowl
Fresno State vs Tulsa-Holiday Bowl

Washington State is now projected to take on LSU in the Las Vegas Bowl on Christmas Eve. The Tigers finished their season at (8-4).After defeating Clemson in Week 1, LSU lost to USC and Oklahoma before winning 6 straight including a (29-27) win over Florida, but loss's to Alabama and Auburn left them out of the SEC title hunt..

Cal is the only other team to finish with a Bowl eligible record (6-6) and the Bears are projected to go to the Sun Bowl to play UNC..

[djp73]

Wildcats > Bobcats

[James]

Some prime Big XII scores in here. You worried about playing a team with a good defense?

[Deuce2223]

nice winning streak to finish off a positive first season in Pullman. Excited to see what bowl you end up with and if you can finish with an 8th win

Just posted the Texas State game.. I played so much better on the road this season for some reason then at home but it also helps that besides Stanford, I was technically the better rated team in all of those matchups to close out the season. I just posted the projected Bowl matchup. It could be quite the battle as LSU is no joke

[Deuce2223]

Some prime Big XII scores in here. You worried about playing a team with a good defense?

I was a little surprised with how well North Texas did this season. They are only a 69 Overall but they do have potential Heisman winner Drew Mestemaker at QB. I am hoping that maybe being in the Big 12 they can land some better recruits and at least can compete with the Baylor and Houston's of the world.