Washington State heads into Friday night’s game at Utah State still sorting out the most important question on the field: who is actually taking snaps at quarterback?
The Cougars could stay with Caden Pinnick, who has already piled up six turnovers in his first five games. They could also turn to redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman, who has not played any meaningful snaps in college, or redshirt sophomore Julian Dugger, who has flashed as a runner but has not shown much with his arm in limited action. However WSU handles it, the offense is walking into this one with real uncertainty.
If Pinnick gets the nod, the assignment is simple: protect the ball. He has thrown an interception in every game this season and also coughed up a fumble against Arizona.
That has fed into most of Washington State’s nine total turnovers, and it’s the kind of problem that can get a quarterback’s leash very short, very quickly. Even if he starts, the coaches may not wait long if the same pocket and turnover issues show up again.
That uncertainty is why the Cougars’ defense looks like the clearest path to victory. Utah State quarterbacks Grady Brosterhous and McCae Hillstead have been under heavy pressure all season, taking 17 sacks combined while also throwing 10 interceptions, the most of any team in the country.
That sets up a chance for Washington State’s front, with Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk off the edge, to create havoc. It could also turn into a busy night for the secondary, where Jaylen Thomas already has two interceptions.
Utah State, though, has its own route to a win: attack Washington State’s shaky offense. The Cougar line has to keep whichever quarterback starts clean, and the Aggies have enough pass-rush juice to make that a problem. Adonis Jackson and Jordan Pendleton have combined for two sacks on 16 pressures, and if Utah State can force a turnover or two, that may be enough to tilt things at home.
The turnover numbers tell the story. Washington State sits at minus-5, a big reason the Cougars are 1-4.
Utah State is even worse at minus-7. With both teams living dangerously with the ball, Friday’s game may come down to which side finally cleans things up.
“I think Coach (Moore) is a great play-caller,” WSU tight end Jack Pedersen said. “Obviously, he did a great job at Missouri.
That’s why he’s here. That’s why he’s the head coach here at Washington State.
I think he’s going to do an amazing job, and I think we’re all excited to just get back out there and get a new opportunity.”
In Other News...
Washington State Faces An Early Pressure Game For Its Entire Offense
Washington State heads into its meeting with Utah State trying to steady an offense that never found its footing in a 26-6 loss to Fresno State. First-year coach Kirby Moore is already making changes in an effort to get more out of the group, and the Cougars find themselves in a spot where a sluggish start can quickly turn into a much bigger problem if they do not show something more functional on the field.
Utah State arrives with its own early-season frustrations, but the Aggies are still expected to have the edge in the matchup. Washington State does at least carry a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series, yet this game feels less about history than urgency, with both sides searching for a clean response and the Cougars needing a sharper offensive showing to keep the pressure from building even more. [Read more 🡒]