Washington State finally got the kind of afternoon it had been waiting for, and Kirby Moore picked up his first win as head coach in style.
The Cougars rolled past Duquesne 48-7 on Saturday at Martin Stadium, using a strong second half and scoring contributions across multiple phases to turn the home opener into a runaway. For Moore and a program trying to settle in early this fall, it was the kind of complete performance that can calm a few nerves. It also matched Washington State’s largest margin of victory since the 2024 season opener against Portland State.
Caden Pinnick was right in the middle of it. After a rough week both on and off the field, the quarterback delivered his sharpest outing as a Cougar.
He finished 17-of-22 for 196 yards with a 173 QB rating and added 76 rushing yards on a team-high 12 carries. The UC Davis transfer had shown flashes against Washington and had struggled against Kansas State, but against Duquesne he put together a true dual-threat performance.
The offense, which had been sluggish early, found a rhythm after halftime. Washington State also made history on special teams when Jaylen Thomas and Tank Hawkins returned back-to-back punts for touchdowns. It was the first time that had happened in program history since 1973.
One of the key swings came early in the second half. Duquesne had just produced a highlight catch from Ryan Petras, who snagged an impressive one-handed grab to push the Dukes toward the red zone.
On 3rd and long, Cougar defensive coordinator Trent Bray dialed up one of the day’s few blitzes, and DJ Warner and Jeremiah Bernard got home for Washington State’s first sack of the season. That stop killed a threat that could have turned into four-down territory and helped WSU build on the momentum with two more scoring drives.
There were also a couple of standout runs that helped define the day. Maxwell Woods gave the Cougars a spark in the first half out of a wildcat look, taking a direct snap for a 45-yard gain to set up Washington State’s first touchdown. The package had not been used in the first two weeks, and it may have opened the door for more creative looks down the line.
Then Kirby Vorhees put the finishing touch on the third quarter. With one second left after a Duquesne penalty, Vorhees burst through untouched for a 58-yard touchdown that capped a 21-point quarter and sent the Cougars into the fourth with the game already well out of reach.
Washington State’s third-down work was another encouraging sign. The Cougars came in with one of the lowest conversion rates in FBS, and after a rough showing in Week 2, they went 6-for-9 against Duquesne. That obviously came against an FCS opponent, but it was still a needed step in the right direction.
The one blemish was discipline. Washington State was flagged 11 times for 93 yards, and a touchdown plus several first downs were wiped out by penalties. The Cougars had been whistled nine times total over their first two games combined.
Next up is Arizona, which comes to Martin Stadium next week for the 48th meeting between the programs. The last time they played, in 2023, the Wildcats won 44-6. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. on CBS.
In Other News...
WSU Fans Face A Gameday Beer Squeeze At Gesa Field
Washington State has started rolling out its 2026 gameday details at Gesa Field, and for fans planning a fall Saturday, the beer menu is part of the picture. The school and Aramark have released the list of available beers and pricing for the upcoming football season, with domestic options costing a little more than they did in 2025. Alcohol sales will be spread across 14 locations around the stadium, alongside the usual game-day updates on parking, entry policies and transportation for the home opener.
For fans on the North side, though, the drink plan comes with a few extra constraints. Alcohol will not be sold everywhere on the North Concourse, and designated areas have been set aside for those seated there to consume alcohol. Its the kind of small but noticeable gameday wrinkle that matters because it shapes how fans move, where they gather and how smooth the experience feels once the crowd starts filing in. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State Needs More Than A Win In Its Home Opener
Washington States home opener offers a chance to clean up a few things before the schedule tightens. Duquesne comes in as an FCS opponent that has struggled this season, and the Cougars are heavy favorites, but the real value for Washington State is in how it looks doing the things it needs to do better. The offense wants sharper efficiency, better protection for the quarterback and more consistent production on the ground.
With Arizona waiting next, this is the kind of game the Cougars need to use for more than just the final score. A convincing showing would let Washington State carry some momentum forward and, just as important, give the staff a clearer sense of where the offense stands heading into a tougher stretch. [Read more 🡒]
WSU Volleyball Showed Serious Fight In A Match Cougs Will Discuss
Washington States volleyball team found plenty to build on even in a five-set loss to Long Beach State at Bohler Gym, turning in one of its grittier performances of the season. The Cougars piled up 20 total blocks and got strong production from Mary Healy, who led the team in kills and points, while Naomi White added a career-high 10 blocks to anchor the net defense.
There were also several individual season and career highs scattered through the night, the kind of contributions that can make a close defeat feel more like a marker than a setback. The result still stings, but it left WSU with enough evidence of fight and depth to make the next one against Fresno State worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]