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

[redsox907]

big one over Boise there, then just took care of business against the Aggies

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 7 RECAP

Despite over 500 yards of Total Offense including 414 yds through the air, Washington State saw their 5 game win streak come to a end at the hands of San Diego State after a failed 4th Quarter comeback.

Tied (7-7) at the end of the 1st Quarter and tied again at the half (10-10), after WSU turned the ball over 3 times inside the redzone (twice on downs and 1 INT) San Diego State would take the lead with a 50 yd FG by Nick Clegg which turned out to be the deciding factor. Down (13-10) going into the 4th, WSU would take the lead early in the 4th as Nelson finds TE Mason Williams on a 30 yd score to make it (17-13) but the Aztecs would answer back with a 39 yd touchdown run by RS FR Paul Melton (75) making it (20-17) midway through the 4th.. WSU had a chance to tie the game up on a Adlai Lounsbury 45 yd FG but the kick bounced off the upright. San Diego State would then extend their lead as JR RB Cincere Rhaney (78) scores his 2nd touchdown with a 20 yd run to make it (27-17) with 2:18 to play.. Despite trailing by 10, WSU was still armed with all 3 timeouts and with 1:12 to play Nelson would find Brevin Doll out of the backfield for a 41 yd score as WSU now trailed by 3. A failed onside kick however would be the nail in the coffin though as the Aztecs kneel out the remaining time.

FINAL SCORE SAN DIEGO STATE-27 WASHINGTON STATE-24

KEY COUGARS
QB M. Nelson-35/62 (56%) 414 yds 3 TD 1 INT, 4 carries 30 yds
RB L. Pulalasi-15 carries 73 yds (4.9 avg) 2 rec 14 yds
RB B. Doll-7 carries 21 yds , 4 rec 59 yds 1 TD
WR L. Creer-11 rec 145 yds (4 drops)
WR C. Pabst-7 rec 70 yds 1 TD (2 drops)
WR D. James-4 rec 40 yds
WR. L. .Wright-2 rec 19 yds
TE M. Williams-5 rec 67 yds 1 TD


IMPACT FROM THE GAME AND UP NEXT
The loss was a double whammy as several key targets were in attendance for today's game. The loss also gives WSU their first conference loss which puts them tied with Colorado State, Boise State, UTSA and Cal all with 1 loss and behind Stanford who is currently 4-0 in Pac-12 play.

WSU will travel to Cal in Week 8 for their final road trip of the season as WSU will close out their year with 4 straight home games including a Week 11 matchup with the Cardinals.

[redsox907]

I don't think I've ever even come close to getting an onside. Been tempted just to kick it deep in those situations and try to force a fumble, had that happen way more than a recovered onside

[Deuce2223]

I don't think I've ever even come close to getting an onside. Been tempted just to kick it deep in those situations and try to force a fumble, had that happen way more than a recovered onside

I have recovered 1 in the past 2 years . I don't think they should be easy to get but I think a person should have better odds then like 1 in 100

[djp73]

Ah that one hurts after stacking some wins before it

[Deuce2223]

WEEK 9 RECAP

The Washington State Cougars dominated the Cal Bears for their 6th win of the season in their final road trip of the year as WSU secures a bowl berth with 4 games home games still to play.

Down (10-7) at the end of the 1st Quarter, the Cougars dominated the 2nd Quarter scoring 4 times well Cal struggled with starting QB Amari Odom (85) out, backup JR EJ Caminong (84) struggled as WSU goes into the locker room up (35-16) after holding the Bears to a pair of FG's.

Malachi Nelson who was bench just 2 weeks ago in the Cougars win over Utah State was lights out in the 1st half throwing 3 touchdowns and rushing for another with touchdowns to L. Creer (35 yds) D. James (28 yds) and Mason Williams (24 yds)

The Cougars continued to dominate the Bears on both sides of the ball in the 2nd half as Nelson continued to make big plays including the Cougars biggest play of the season.. After Cal downed a punt inside the 5 yd line, OC Matt Miller called a rare Speed Option pitch and Nelson solid the pitch perfectly opening as the defense big to the outside, Nelson cut up the middle and wen 96 yds to the house for his 2nd rushing touchdown of the game.
A Cal fumble on following series would set up a short field for the Cougars as Nelson throws TD #4 finding backup TE Junior Fineanaganofo on a 15 yd strike to make it (49-16) going into the 4th.

For Nelson his day was over as he finishes the day with 6 total touchdowns and 504 yds of Total offense (397 passing 107 rushing). The Cougars were not done on either side of the ball though, as the Defense continues to pitch a 2nd half shutout well the backup Ajani Sheppard leads 2 scoring drives including a 31 yd touchdown run of his own, as WSU finishes the day with 307 yds and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

FINAL SCORE WASHINGTON STATE-63 CAL-16

KEY COUGARS
QB M. Nelson-34/46 (73%) 397 yds 4 TD, 6 carries 107 yds 2 TD
QB A. Sheppard-4/5 (80%) 52 yds, 3 carries 31 yds 1 TD
RB L. Pulalasi-16 carries 109 yds (6.8 avg) 1 TD, 1 rec 8 yds
RB B. Doll-11 carries 30 yds 1 TD. 6 rec 30 ds
RB A. Abbbott-9 carries 16 yds, 1 rec 10 yds
WR L. Creer-9 rec 142 yds 1 TD
WR D. James-6 rec 92 yds 1 TD
WR C. Pabst-6 rec 65 yds
TE M. Williams-5 rec 52 1 TD
TE J. Fineanganofo-3 rec 40 yds 1 TD

IUP NEXT
WSU will returns to Pullman for what will be a 4 game homestand starting with (5-3) UTSA in Week 10.. The Road Runners have won 3 straight with win over Colorado State, Oregon State, San Diego State.


RECRUTING
Coach Moore landed his first commitment of the 2027 class as WSU signs 4* QB Cortez Ottis (#134 Overall/#14 CA/#7 QB).

Moore

"We are extremely excited to add Cortez to our QB room. With Malachi set to graduate we wanted to add another QB that could help push J.P as our future QB in 2029 and beyond. Also with the Portal you never know what could happen year to year, but for now Cortez is our only high school QB we plan on signing and was a Top-5 target from Day 1"

Well Ottis didn't have any official scholarship offers he was being recruited by Clemson, San Diego State, USC, North Texas, Fresno State, and Cal.

[Deuce2223]

Ah that one hurts after stacking some wins before it

Yeah it was a weird game.. I didn't really go into details but those 6 drops (4 by Creer) were drive killers I was 0-5 on 4th downs with 3 of those decisions coming when I was in field goal range, so really the loss is my fault..

[djp73]

Instincts usually tell me to go for it in those situations too but I try to factor in kicker ability and opponent strength to help me decide if it’s best to (hopefully) take the three

[djp73]

Wow did Cal dirty there

[redsox907]

Cal