Pac-12 play opens tonight for Washington State, and the Cougars get their conference slate started at home against Fresno State to close out the homestand. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m., with the game airing nationally on USA Network.
Washington State is trying to bounce back after a 34-24 loss to Arizona last week. The Cougars jumped out fast, scoring on the opening drive and then adding a Jack Bal pick-six to build a 14-0 lead.
Arizona answered with two touchdowns to pull even at 14, and Washington State managed a field goal before halftime. From there, the Wildcats took control, outscoring WSU 20-7 in the second half.
Fresno State comes in at 3-1 after taking down Rice last week. The Bulldogs trailed 17-14 at halftime before ripping off 17 straight points to move ahead 31-24. Rayshon Luke sealed it with a 52-yard touchdown run in a 38-24 win.
Washington State’s uniform look fits the “Pac-12 After Dark” vibe, with the anthracite jerseys making their season debut. It’s another new combo for the Cougars, though they did wear the same helmet shell, jersey, and pant combination last year at Colorado State. This time, the look includes a crimson facemask and what appears to be a white outline around the WSU logo.
This will be the sixth time Washington State has worn the anthracite jerseys. The Cougars wore them twice in 2024 and three times in 2025, and they’re 4-1 in them overall, with the lone loss coming in the 2025 Apple Cup.
Tonight’s matchup is the third conference game to kick off around the league. Oregon State is at Colorado State at 3 p.m., Utah State plays Boise State in Boise at 4:30 p.m., and Texas State faces San Diego State in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m.
In Other News...
Washington State Suddenly Has An Offense Crisis Kirby Moore Can't Ignore
Washington States Pac-12 opener turned into a long night in Fresno, where the Cougars managed just six points in a 26-6 loss and came away with more questions than answers on offense. The defense did enough to keep the game from getting completely out of hand, and Jack Stevens gave the team a small bright spot by knocking through both of his field-goal attempts, but the bigger issue was clear from the start: Washington State could not find any rhythm putting points on the board.
Kirby Moore said the offense will be reevaluated before the next game against Utah State, and that can mean more than just a few tweaks around the edges. When a coach opens the door to possible changes at quarterback or even at play-caller, it signals a deeper level of concern, and the Cougars now have a short week to sort out what needs fixing before the next kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Cougars Already Have A Crowd Problem After An Ugly Conference Debut
Washington States first Pac-12 game of the season did not go the way anyone around the program wanted, with Fresno State handing the Cougars a 26-6 loss in a flat conference debut. It was the kind of opener that leaves more questions than answers, especially for a team trying to establish itself early and give its fan base something to latch onto.
The aftermath only added to the uneasy feeling. The Cougars offensive players did not speak to the media after the game, leaving head coach Kirby Moore as the lone available voice, while the performance and the reaction from fans quickly turned the spotlight toward bigger concerns about where this team is headed. After a night like that, the conversation in Pullman is no longer just about one loss, but about whether the start of conference play has already exposed a troubling ceiling. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State Faces An Early Offensive Problem It Cannot Ignore
Washington States first-half offense in its Pac-12 opener at Martin Stadium was stuck in a place the Cougars cannot afford to linger, with little rhythm and even less production. The unit managed just 116 yards before halftime and had to settle for two Jack Stevens field goals, including a 50-yarder that tied the game at 6-6, a sign that the defense and special teams were doing their part while the offense searched for answers.
Caden Pinnick finished the half 11 of 16 for 82 yards, but the numbers did not tell the whole story, as several throws missed their mark and the drive-killing sack added to the frustration. For a team trying to set the tone in league play, the bigger concern is not just the score but whether Washington State can clean up the execution quickly enough to keep this from becoming a familiar problem. [Read more 🡒]