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

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 1 RECAP

WSU coming off a disappointing Week 0 loss @ Missouri continued their road trip to Fresno State to kick off Pac-12 play.. WSU came up short against the Bulldogs last year and Coach Kirby Moore was looking to get revenge against another of his former teams. The Bulldogs were coming off a (38-10) win over UC Davis (FCS West) as SR QB Adian Armenta throws for 371 yds with 4 TD and 1 INT.

WSU would open up the game on offfense asMalachi Nelson leads the Cougars offense, showing no ill effects from an injury that saw him leave midway through the 4th Quarter loss to the Tigers. Nelson leads a pair of scoring drives to open up the game including a 33 yd pass to Lester Creer and a 70 yd screen pass to Iowa State transfer Brevin Doll to put the Cougars up (14-0).

Fresno State would open up the 2nd Quarter scoring with a 16 yd touchdown pass from Adian Armenta to Ismael Cisse to make things (14-7) but WSU would extend their lead to (17-7) as Adali Lousnsbury connects on a 45 yd FG.. Lounsbury had a chance to extend the lead again as he attempted a career long 50 yd FG with under a minute to play in the half but Fresno State would block the kick and then attempt their own 50+ yd attempt as Earl Lincoln connects from 53 yds out to make it (17-10) going into the locker room.

Nelson would finish the half 15/28 for 229 yds with the 2 TD.

Doll ended the 1st half with 6 carries for 18 yd well also leading the team with 5 rec for 110 yds including the 70 yd score.. Creer added 4 rec for 67 yds including his 33 yd touchdown.

Fresno State finished the half with just 21 yds rushing on 17 carries (1.2 avg)

Fresno State opened up the 2nd half with the ball but would turn the ball over on downs leading to Brevin Doll 10 yd touchdown run as WSU extends their lead to (24-10). Still leading (24-10) going into the 4th, Nelson would throw a INT that would lead to a Bulldog touchdown as Amenta finds Cisse for touchdown #2 (18 yds) as Fresno makes it (24-17) early in the 4th.. Nelson however would bounce back from the turnover with a pair of 4th Quarter scores to Lester Creer as the Cougars #1 WR scores the hat trick with a 3 touchdown day. Fresno would turn the ball over 2 more times on 4th down through the 4th and ended the day punting the ball 9 times..

Armenta finished the day 27/54 (50%) for 303 yds with the 2 TD’s but was also sacked 8 times by the Cougar Defense.

FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON STATE-38 FRESNO STATE-17

KEY COUGARS
QB M. Nelson-30/53 (56%) 371 yds 4 TD 1 INT, 29 yds rushing (sacked twice)
RB A. Abbott-21 carries 84 yds (4.0 avg), 1 rec 10 yds
RB B. Doll-11 carries 26 yds (2.4 avg) 1 TD, 6 rec 118 yds 1 TD
RB L. Pulalasi-10 carries 24 yds (2.4 avg)
WR L. Creer-8 rec 106 yds 3 TD
WR C. Pabst-7 rec 44 yds
WR D. James-3 rec 39 yds
TE M. Williams-3 rec 32 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-1 rec 10 yds
Defense-12 TFL 8 Sacks

OFFENSE OUTLOOK
With Pulalasi and Doll struggling in the run game, SO Antonio Abbott played the majority of the 2nd half and responded with a big day.. Doll continues to be a major weapon out of the backfield especially on half back screens showing off his (93 speed rating). Creer continues to do Creer things showing he he not just the best WR at Washington State but potentially the nation.. Nelson is looking like a solid pickup, well he isn't as fast as Sheppard he sill has great running ability and that needs to be utilized more often.

DEFENSE OUTLOOK
Well the Defense didn't generate a INT or a Fumble they did have a record high 8 sacks since the arrival of Coach Moore. including a 4 TFL 3.0 sack day by Malachi Wrice and a 3 TFL and 2.0 Sack day by transfer DT Bryce Butler.

The Defense was hit by another injury as backup CB Kenny Worthy III leaves the game with a Partial MCL Tear that will see him miss the next 10 weeks.

*The injury leaves just 3 healthy CB's on the roster which could result in one of current trio of Freshman redshirting coming off their redshirts for 4 games a piece to fill in as depth pieces.

UP NEXT

(1-1) WSU will to Pullman and Martin Field as the Cougars kickoff their home opener vs (1-0) Nevada. The Wolfpack are coming off a (34-7) win over UTEP in Week 1.

[Deuce2223]

Probably hoped for a win in that one. Interceptions bad

Yeah when I scheduled it I put it down as a 50/50 game. I thought we could potentially win it but it didn't help I wasn't giving it my full 100% focus.. I don't know why but the CPU for some reason really dislikes some kind of combo of Sheppard's stats because he throws some ugly INT's.

[djp73]

On to the next one

[redsox907]

Sheppard said I'll show you for benching me

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 2 RECAP

It was a slow start the for Coach Moore and the Cougars as they kicked off their hope opener against Nevada in Week 2.. Last season the Cougars went 0-3 at home to start the year with loss's to Fresno State, Washington and Boise State and Nevada coming off a big (38-20) win over UTEP was hoping for some of the same results.

A pair of early turnover by Malachi Nelson including a fumble on the 1yd line well attempting to score would lead to a (3-0) lead by the Wolfpack at the end of the 1st Quarter. Nelson would bounce back in the 2nd Quarter though leading 3 scoring drives including a pair of touchdown throws (25 yd to Dazmin Jamaes and a 21 yd pass to Carter Pabst to give WSU the (14-3) lead as well as a 12 play 80 yd drive that ended with a 10 yd touchdown run by SR RB Leo Pulalasi to extend the lead to (21-3) but Nelson day was a roller coast as he also finished the half with another pair of INT's which lead to another Wolfpack turnover making it (21-6) going into the half.

With Nelson struggling, Coach Moore decided to make a change at QB but it was JR Ajani Sheppard leading the offense when the Cougars took the field but 4* True Freshman Johnathan Provo. Provo would play well leading a pair of scoring drives including a 31 yd touchdown pass to Lester Creer as WSU extends the lead to (31-6).. WSU would open up the 4th Quarter with a huge special teams play as Jet Award winner Maxwell Woods takes a punt return 73 yds for a touchdown as WSU extends the lead to (38-6) .

Nevada would battle back with a pair of touchdowns from SR QB Caden Creel (78) as he found FR WR George Pyke both times including a 31 yd strike) to make it (38-20) midway through the 4th but Creel would also throw a pair of INT's leading to 10 more points by the Cougars as they close out the game..

Creel finished the game 26/43 (60%) throwing for 291 yds with the 2 TD and 2 INT.

FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON STATE-48 NEVADA-20

KEY PLAYERS
QB M. Nelson-20/33 (60%) 246 yds 2 TD 3 INT, 2 carries 35 yds 1 Fumble,
QB J. Provo-19/33 (57%) 198 yds 2 TD
RB L. Pulalasi-14 carries 93 yds (6.6 avg) 1 TD
RB C. Provo-10 carries 60 yds (6.0 avg)
RB B. Doll-12 carries 30 yds, 4 rec 30 yds
RB A. Abbott-5 carries -12 yds
WR L. Creer-10 rec 121 yds 1 TD
WR C. Pabst-9 rec 101 yds 1 TD
WR D. James-7 rec 101 yds 1 TD
WR L. Wright-2 rec 20 yds
TE M. Williams-7 rec 71 yds 1TD
FS K. Patu-12 tackles 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 INT
CB T. Weaver-5 tackles 1 INT

Moore after the game

"We had talked before the game about wanting to get J.P. (Johnathan Provo) in the game if we had the lead early.. One of our selling points to him was early playing time but we also discussed the desire to see him also potentially use his redshirt if we didn't believe he was going to be our starter. After signing Malachi and with the Spring camp he had we felt good about going into the season with Malachi as our starter and Shep as our #2, with the hopes of getting JP in his 4 games through the year."

Miller after the game

"I felt like despite the 5 turnovers we played a pretty solid game.. The Defense worked hard with another solid day getting after the QB (5 sacks) they also generated 3 turnovers (2 INT and a turnover on downs) and well Nelson struggled I thought JP looked good in his debut and the run game did a great job (200 yds) well getting production from more then just 1 guy. I also loved the fact that for the first time since getting here we had 3 different WR end the game with 100 yds each and 4 different guy's caught touchdowns. Lester has been huge for our offense and has shown the ability to play at a Heisman type level but we need guy's like James and Pabst opposing defenses from keying on him every play"

[Deuce2223]

Sheppard said I'll show you for benching me

Yeah not the ideal showing if you are trying to win your job back. If last year showed me anything,, it's that I need to have 3 QB's ready to play, so hopefully he can find some redemption at some point this season.

[Deuce2223]

COUGARS MAKING A "STATE"MENT!!!

When Coach Kirby Moore accepted the Washington State Cougar job he knew he had only 1 goal each year that truly mattered. Beat the Huskies!!! After a disappointing loss in Pullman last year (30-27) this Week 3 matchup has been circled on the calendar since last year. This game/rivalry isn't just played on the field, it's also played in the living room of every potential college bound Washington high school football player.. Moore knew a win today would mean more then moving to a (3-1) record. A win today would be a major foundation piece in the rebuilding of Cougar football.

Washington opened the game with the ball and wasted little time as JR QB Treston McMillan uses his feet to lead a 82 yd scoring drive that ended with a 4 yd QB keeper.. When WSU took the field it was Senior Malachi Nelson leading the charge.. Nelson benched after the 1st half of last weeks win over Nevada when he turned the ball over 4 times would play like the former #1 rated QB that he was coming out of high school as he leads a trio of scoring drives with touchdowns pass's to Lester Creer (7 yds) Brevin Doll (3 yds) and backup TE SO Junior Fineanganofo (15 yds) to give WSU a (21-7) lead at the end of the 1st Quarter.

The Huskies would make it (21-14) on the opening drive of the 2nd Quarter as Julian McMahan scores from 17 yds out but the Cougars answer back as Nelson throws TD #4 finding Dazmin James on a 17 yd strike making it (28-14).. McMillian struggling in the passing game would turn to his feet yet again as he caps off a 9 play drive with a 1 yd QB kepper making it (28-21) with 4 minutes to play in the half. WSU looking to slow things down went to their ground game giving Nelson's arm a rest as FB Cliff Provo finishes off a 16 play drive with a 1 yd run up the middle with 0:59 to play in the half.

WSU would force a quick 3 and out and get the ball back but Nelson's attempt for a last minute score turns into a INT as the 1st half comes to a close.

The INT would be Nelson's only mistake of the game as he opens up the 2nd half with another short touchdown pass to Doll out of the backfield as WSU extends their lead to (42-21) Washington still struggling to move the ball through the air turns back to their ground game that continues to find playmakers as Mitch Abbott caps off the scoring drive with a 1 yd run to make it (42-28) with 3:06 to play

Facing a 4th and goal from the 2 yard line, Coach Matt Miller would make the call to leave the offense on the field and the Huskies Defense rallies to make the stop, but the gamble pays off as McMillian is stopped in the endzone for a safety was WSU extends the lead to (44-28) With a chance to potentially put the game away , the opposite happened as Leo Pulalasi coughs up the fumble leading to 39 yd touchdown pass from McMillan to Audric Harris and after the 2pt play WSU was left holding onto a (44-36) lead going into the 4th.

A quick 3 and out by the Cougars would lead to another Husky touchdown as Quad Carr goes 21 yds to the house to make it (44-42) with 8:58 to play. Leaving the offense on the field to try and tie the game, Washington comes up short on the 2pt play. Leaving the Cougars up by 2.

WSU would make it 9 though as Nelson finds Creer for touchdown #6 on the day (51-42) with 6:31 to play but it would stay their for long as Tre Poteat gets his first Cougar INT picking off McMillian to set up a 28 yd FG by Lounsbury as WSU extends the lead to (54-42) still with over 5 minutes to play in the game.

The Huskies passing game struggles continued as Washington turns the ball over twice in the final 5 minutes well WSU wasn't done lighting up the scoreboard as Moore/Miller put up a new school record since taking over, as former Boise State transfer Greg Ard makes his first appearance of the 2027 season.. With Pulalasi, Abbott and Doll all banged up Ard would take over in the final minutes of the game carrying the ball 7 times for 31 yds including a 9 yd touchdown run and also showed off his speed as he takes a Speed option toss/pass 8 yds for another score.

FINAL SCORES WASHINGTON STATE-68 WASHINGTON-42

KEY PLAYERS
QB M. Nelson-41/56 (73%) 391 yds 7 TD 1 INT, 10 carries 41 yds
RB L. Pulalasi-19 carries 114 yds (6.0 avg), 1 Fumble, 1 rec 14 yds
RB A. Abbott-12 carries 33 yds
RB B. Doll-9 carries 40 yds (4.4 avg), 8 rec 67 yds 2 TD
RB G. Ard-7 carries 31 yds (4.4 avg) 1 TD, 2 rec 13 yds 1 TD
FB C. Provo-2 carries 10 yds 1 TD
WR L. Creer-8 rec 82 yds 2 TD
WR C. Pabst-7 rec 65 yds
WR D. James-6 rec 74 yds 1 TD
TE M. Williams-5 rec 37 yds
TE J. Fineanganofo-2 rec 26 yds 1 TD
LB D. Pritchard-9 Tackles 1 INT
CB T. Poteat-6 tackles 1 INT
DE F. Lecuana-5 Tackles 3 TFL 2 Sacks

QB T. McMillian-13/25 (52%) 169 yds 1 TD 2 INT, 15 carries 86 yds 2 TD
RB Q. Carr-15 carries 100 yds (6.6 avg) 1 TD
RB A. Mohammed-10 carries 27 yds
RB J. McMahan-4 carries 35 yds 1 TD
RB M. Abbott-3 carries 26 yds 1 TD
WR M. Harris-3 rec 44 yds
WR R. Williams-3 rec 47 yds
WR A. Harris-2 rec 48 yds 1 TD
LB J. Epperson Jr-16 Tackles, 1 INT

UP NEXT

Washington State now (3-0) since their disappointing loss to Missouri in Week 0 will have a Week 4 "Bye" before traveling to Boise Idaho to take on the Broncos on "The Blue" as Moore and Miller make their return..

[ShireNiner]

Two big blowout wins after the defeat, that’s a good bounce back and great sign for the conference play. The passing numbers are crazy, the air raid attack is working.

[Deuce2223]

Two big blowout wins after the defeat, that’s a good bounce back and great sign for the conference play. The passing numbers are crazy, the air raid attack is working.

Honestly I circled the Nevada game ahead of time as a win, so I was glad we were able to pull it off despite all the turnovers. The Washington game was 50/50 going in.. With injuries I was rated as a 80 Overall they were a 82 but Husky stadium ranks #18 in toughest places to play and the crowd noise (Squiggly lines) has always gotten me in the past, so I was shocked with how well Nelson played.. I am not sure you can all my Offense a true Air Raid.. I am still running the Missouri-Pistol Offense and it seems to be working. I am getting some great passing # but still manage to also put up 200 yds on the ground so the offense feels more balanced even though I do pass alot.

My Week 5 matchup with Boise is a tough way to start conference play but besides the Broncos the big challenge will be Stanford in Week 11 which is in the middle of a 4 game home stand to close out the season. I feel pretty good right now about a possible 9-10 win season which I feel is the next step for this squad.

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 4 TEAM REPORT

OFFENSE
With their 68 point performance against the Huskies, WSU is now averaging 45.3 PPG which is good for 5th in the nation (Tennessee is #1 at 49.0, BYU 48.3 Alabama 47.3 Clemson 45.5.), The Cougars are #1 in Total Offense (2339 yds) averaging 584.9 YPG and are #2 in Passing Yards (1588, Missouri State is #1 at 1622) averaging a nation’s best 397 PYPG.

QB
Malachi Nelson’s performance against the Huskies not only saved his starting job but also gives the Washington State Cougars high hopes for the 2027 season. Nelson’s 6 TD and 6 INT in the first 3 games was giving off 2026 vibes and many were already calling for 4* Jonathan Provo to just be handed the keys to the offense..

Now with 1378 yds and 14 TD vs 7 INT,, Nelson finally might be on the path to proving he isn’t a complete bust.

RB
SR Leo Pulalasi proved last year with 880 yds and 9 TD, he was capable of being the RB1 when healthy, Pulalasi is off to another great start with 321 yds on 60 carries (5.3 avg) in the first 4 games, but the Cougars showed in the Husky win that Coach Moore/Miller need to also find enough carries to get others involved as well with both FB C. Provo and Greg Ard ready to help make a impact. One play who has shown the ability to make an impact and should see increase touches moving forward is Iowa State transfer Brevin Doll.. In the first 4 games Doll has 37 carries for 128 yds (3.5 avg) and 2 touchdowns, but has really shown his playmaking ability catching the ball out of the backfield with 24 rec for 261 yds (10.1 avg) and 3 TD’s.

WR
Lester Creer set a new school record last season with 17 TD’s and now in just 4 games it looks like Creer is on pace to not only break his own record but raise the bar recording 34 rec for 460 yds and 7 touchdowns in the Cougars first 4 games.

Well Creer has quickly become the key redzone threat, both Carter Pabst (29 rec 307 yds 1 TD) and Dazmin James (20 rec 247 yds 2 TD) have proven they are both capable of making plays.

TE
Transfer Mason Williams has been a great addition so far in the first 4 games, Williams has 19 rec for 168 yds (8.8 avg) with a touchdown well last year’s starter Junior Finenaganofo has adjusted to the #2 role with 4 rec for 45 yds and a touchdown in the Apple Cup win.

O-Line
Guards Jaymar Tasi and BJ Tolo and transfer Terrell Kim (Center have combined for 1200 snaps without giving up a single sack,, TAMU transfer Robert Bourdon has played okay at LT logging 397 snaps well being credited with 2 sacks, but RT has been a struggle where SR’s Ashton Tripp and Niikola Milovac have combined for 421 snaps giving up 3 sacks a piece.

DEFENSE

D-LLINE/LB'S
The addition of 6’5 323lb Bryuce Butler (13 tackles, 5 TFL 3.5 sacks) has been huge,, as Butler has also taken on multiple blocker allowing for Malachi Wrice (6 TFL/ 4.5 sacks), Fernando Lecuona (6 TFL, 3.5 sacks) and LB Dallas Pritchard (3 sacks) to get to the opposing QB.. As a team WSU leads the Pac-12 and is 4th in the nation in sacks with 18 averaging 4.5 per game.


SECONDARY

WSU leads the Pac-12 in INT’s with 5. Despite missing it’s #1 CB Sharif Denson since Week 1, as well as SS TJ Ridley and backup CB Kenny Worthy III.

The Cougars will get Denson back for their Week 5 matchup against the Broncos. With Ridley out, FS?SS Kayo Patu has stepped up leading the team in tackles (36) well posting 4 TFL, 1 sack and 1 INT well also not allowing a catch ..