Washington State is still on track to name its starting quarterback by Monday, and the final answer should come with fall camp wrapping up Sunday night.
Head coach Kirby Moore said the plan remains unchanged heading into the Cougars’ last practice of camp, which is set for 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Gesa Field and open to the public.
The quarterback race appears to be trending toward UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick. He threw one interception in Friday’s scrimmage, with two other passes tipped, and has emerged as the likely favorite. Returners Julian Dugger and Owen Eshelman are still in the conversation, though Dugger did not take part in the second and final scrimmage, and Eshelman was nearly intercepted twice.
“I think the big thing there is it’s never as good. It’s never as bad (at first glance),” Moore said.
“There’s some things sometimes outside of the quarterback’s control. We gotta assess that and see how all the grades and everything from the scrimmage play out.”
The offense, meanwhile, drew a blunt assessment from offensive coordinator Matt Miller after Friday’s work.
“Not to the standard. Not to the standard,” Miller said.
“Starting with me, I gotta be better. Gotta lead better.
Gotta prepare a better plan for the guys for them to go execute it. So everybody’s gotta look themselves in the mirror, which is an awesome opportunity for all of us to learn and grow.”
WSU’s offense has had its moments this month, including a strong first scrimmage when Pinnick’s separation from the pack started to become more obvious. But camp has largely belonged to the defense, which has been the more disruptive unit across practice. Safety Jaylen Thomas has intercepted Pinnick twice, including a pick-six earlier in camp and another takeaway Friday.
There was also an injury update in the tight end room. Moore said veteran Hudson Cedarland is expected to miss “an extended period of time” after getting carted off during last week’s scrimmage.
Cedarland has recently been seen in a brace and on crutches, a sign the setback will likely keep him out for a while this season. His path has already included multiple injuries, which helped lead to his move from linebacker to tight end.
Washington State does have more encouraging news at tight end. Jack Pedersen, the UC Davis transfer expected to start, played only limited snaps in Friday’s scrimmage because of rest and injury-prevention measures. Backup Beau Baker has also returned to practice after a minor injury, and redshirt freshman Peyton Read has stood out as a pass catcher.
Sunday’s practice will be the Cougars’ final chance to work before the starting quarterback announcement expected by Monday, when the new semester begins. Moore made clear he wants the community there for it.
“We really want the student body out. They they make this place go,” Moore said.
“We’re flipping sidelines for a reason. We want to encourage the student body, fraternities, sororities, everyone to come out and enjoy a Sunday night with the team.
Starts at 7:30. Should go till about 9, 9:15, and should be a good time.”
In Other News...
Washington State Still Has Two Big Camp Questions To Answer
Washington State is down to its final two practices of fall camp, and most of the major lineup battles look closer to settled than open. Caden Pinnick appears likely to open at quarterback, while Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk have emerged as the starting defensive ends, giving the Cougars a clearer picture of what the front and back end of the depth chart might look like once camp wraps with a final scrimmage.
The bigger remaining questions are on offense, where the second running back job still has options and the tight end spot has become more interesting because of injuries elsewhere. Peyton Read has started to carve out a more visible role, and with camp nearing its finish, Washington State still has a chance to sort out how much of that is a temporary need and how much is a real piece of the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Washington State Special Teams Battle Is Already Taking Shape
Special teams is already becoming one of the more competitive parts of Washington States preseason work, and Derek Sage sounds encouraged by what he has seen from the kickoff coverage group. The Cougars have gotten useful contributions from defensive backs and linebackers there, giving the unit both speed and depth, while Sage has also pointed to several players he trusts as gunners. It is the sort of early camp development that can matter more than it first appears, since those jobs tend to sort themselves out only after a lot of repetition and a little pressure.
The punt return side has its own shape, with Tony Freeman carrying clear importance in that game plan as the staff sorts through options. Sage also addressed the kicking competition, noting Jack Stevens push to keep improving while Miguel currently has the edge in the staffs preference. For a team trying to clean up every hidden-yardage detail, those decisions will be worth watching closely as the Cougars keep trimming the picture on special teams. [Read more 🡒]
Jim Walden Still Means More To WSU Than Fans Realize
More than 300 people gathered at Lake Coeur d'Alene to celebrate the life of Jim Walden, the former Washington State football coach who died last month at 88. The turnout spoke to how widely he was respected, with family members, former players and colleagues offering tributes that centered on his character, his mentorship and the impact he had well beyond football.
The crowd also reflected the reach of Waldens influence in Pullman and across the region, with former WSU coaches Dennis Erickson, Mike Price and Paul Wulff among those there, along with former rival coach Keith Gilbertson. For Washington State fans, the gathering served as another reminder that Waldens legacy was never just about wins and losses, but about the people he shaped and the relationships he built over a long coaching life. [Read more 🡒]