The night at Martin Stadium looked like a Homecoming postcard for Washington State right up until it didn’t.
Pullman had the full October backdrop on Oct. 24: 54-degree air, orange and gold leaves along Glenn Terrell Mall and near the south entrance of the stadium, and clear skies over the Palouse hills. The crowd that showed up got to see a game that sat tied at 10 heading into the final 15 minutes, with the new LED lights flashing crimson and the upgraded speakers pumping music that had much of the Cougar sideline moving.
For a stretch, the home energy felt real. Washington State had No.
21 Boise State on the ropes.
Then the wheels came off.
The Cougars gave up 21 straight points and fell 31-10, a finish that emptied the stadium and left a very different scene by the time the game ended. Fireball shooters were found on the field on the north sideline after frustrations flared following Boise State’s go-ahead score and an interception of Owen Eshelman.
By the final whistle from head referee Gary Reed, the stands were mostly washed in Boise State blue, and Washington State’s record had dropped to 1-7. That makes this the Cougars’ worst mark since 2010, and they were officially out of bowl contention before Halloween.
What had once looked like a possible statement game in the revamped Pac-12 ended up as another painful step in a rough first year for Washington State in the new setup.
The Cougars are sitting at the bottom of the conference with their lone victory coming against a weak FCS opponent. That’s a far cry from what was expected when this version of the Pac-12 came together, especially for a program with Washington State’s history and resources relative to its newer peers.
“Without being said, nobody’s quitting. We’re pissed off and disappointed.
We need to play better. We can be a better football team.”
Kirby Moore said in his postgame press conference.
Moore, a Prosser, Washington native, has been operating in a situation that was supposed to stabilize once the conference picture settled. Instead, the Cougars have spent the year searching for traction. After this one, his frustration was obvious.
The offense never found a rhythm. Washington State scored only 10 points, rushed for just 53 yards and struggled up front, leaving redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman in a tough spot in his second career start.
The defense held up for long stretches against a strong Boise State attack and even helped Washington State win the possession battle, but the game turned sharply in the fourth quarter. Boise State opened the period with a quick touchdown, then cashed in on Eshelman’s interception for another score, and that was the end of the Cougars’ momentum.
“Obviously it’s frustrating, and it was especially in the home field. Just started the fourth quarter, tieball game.
We just got to execute some stuff better.” Eshelman said.
Moore took ownership afterward, repeating that the breakdowns start with him. He said the interception came on a simple concept the staff had introduced early, but Eshelman and Kirby Vorhees were not aligned on the route, with Vorhees breaking right while the pass went left and into a Boise State defender’s hands. Moore said he needed to make sure there was no gray area in the play and described sitting next to his quarterback after the turnover.
“Obviously, it starts with me, and we got to do a better job from that standpoint.” Moore said.
For Washington State, the rest of the season is about finishing for the senior class rather than chasing postseason games. That message came through from Moore and from players Eshelman, Daniel Blood and Isaiah Hung, all of whom addressed the media afterward.
The expectation that Washington State would immediately become a conference title threat under its third head coach in three seasons may have been too much. The bigger issue is the ground the program has already lost through coaching turnover and conference realignment. Still, a bowl chase in late October felt like a basic benchmark given the program’s past and resources.
“And I just want everyone to know we’re doing everything we can to improve the product on the field.” Moore said.
There’s still time for Moore and Washington State to change the direction. Just not this season. And if they can’t do it next year, the Cougars may be facing a new kind of reality in this Pac-12.
In Other News...
Washington States Boise State Test May Come Down To Owen Eshelman
Washington States first conference win under Kirby Moore may hinge less on a single scheme wrinkle and more on how comfortably the Cougars let Owen Eshelman operate. Defensive end Mkristo Bruce laid out a blueprint built around longer drives, better time of possession and a steadier offense, with the idea that Washington State cant afford to keep giving Boise State extra chances if it wants to change its league start.
Bruce also pointed to Eshelmans mobility as a defining piece of the matchup, especially if the Cougars lean into zone reads and let the quarterbacks movement help the ground game. The question now is whether Washington State keeps that approach aggressive or reins it in after seeing what Eshelman can do, because the answer could shape not just the offenses rhythm but the teams best path to a much-needed breakthrough. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Is In A Grind It Didnt Expect At Halftime
Boise State expected a comfortable evening at Gesa Field, but Washington State had other ideas in the first half. The Cougars answered an early Broncos touchdown from Sire Gaines with a long, methodical march that showed exactly why this matchup has felt more like a grind than a showcase, with Owen Eshelman settling into the offense and keeping drives alive when Washington State needed them most.
The drive that tied the game was as revealing as anything else on the scoreboard, stretching 73 yards over 16 plays before Kirby Vorhees finished it off in the end zone. Even after Boise State nudged back in front with a field goal before halftime, the Cougars had already made it clear they were willing to drag this game into a slower, more physical script and force the Broncos to earn every bit of separation. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State Already Facing Early Pressure In Pac-12 Debut
Washington States first-ever Pac-12 conference game arrived with the sort of early edges that can make a debut feel bigger than the setting. Hosting Boise State, the Cougars had some encouraging moments from quarterback Owen Eshelman, who helped move the offense at times and kept the home crowd engaged, but the opening stretches also showed how quickly a conference opener can turn on a single sequence. The game had the feel of a team still trying to settle in while the opponent looked ready to pounce.
Boise State capitalized on those early chances and put Washington State in an immediate chase mode, forcing the Cougars to answer on both sides of the ball. Even as Eshelman continued to make noteworthy plays, Washington States issues on offense and defense lingered through the game, leaving the Cougars with plenty to sort through after a night that was supposed to mark a fresh start. [Read more 🡒]