Washington State gets a clean chance to reset Saturday, and it comes against a Duquesne team that has been battered early.
The Cougars head home after two offensive struggles, and this one looks like the kind of matchup that can loosen things up. Duquesne is 0-2, and the Dukes have been outscored by Air Force and Youngstown State 104-13. Washington State has not exactly been lighting it up, so this is the kind of afternoon where the offense needs to show real life.
That’s not just a nice bonus for the Cougars. It feels necessary.
A game against an FCS opponent is not supposed to be complicated, and Duquesne’s recent track record against FBS teams has been rough. Since beating Ohio in 2021, the Dukes have lost eight straight against FBS competition by an average score of 51-9.
Washington State has had its share of tense FCS games in the past, but this one does not carry that same baggage. The Dukes don’t have Washington ties on the roster, and this is not one of those matchups where a local connection or a recruiting slight adds an extra edge. On paper, this is a straightforward opportunity for the Cougars to play with confidence and, if all goes right, finally break things open.
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at home, with Washington State and Duquesne on USA Network.
The game can also be streamed HERE. USA is carried by most providers, though fans should check their package to make sure they have access.
It also fits into a season-long TV map that now has most of Washington State’s games accounted for. NBC has the Apple Cup, TNT will carry WSU-K-State, and this game begins a stretch that includes five Cougar appearances on USA Network. The full slate breaks down this way: USA Network with five games, CBS Sports Network with two, and one each on CBS, The CW, NBC and TNT.
That leaves one game still unsettled: the Nov. 28 regular-season finale, which is a flex matchup with the opponent, network and kickoff time still to be determined. The Pac-12 keeps the right to shift that finale based on the league’s best interests, including College Football Playoff considerations.
In Other News...
Washington State Finally Gets Relief In A Spot That Needed It Most
Washington State is getting a needed boost in the secondary heading into its matchup with Duquesne, with coach Kirby Moore saying cornerbacks Jalil Tucker and Khamari Terrell will be available. For a position group that can get tested quickly, simply getting bodies back matters, and it gives the Cougars a little more flexibility as they try to settle in early in the season.
Moore also laid out a broader injury picture that still leaves some questions hanging. Malachi Wrice and Mike Hughes are expected to be out, while Trey Leckner is moving forward in practice and Peyton Read is expected to be ready, and the coach also pointed to the growth of Caleb Northcroft and Kaden Beatty. For Washington State, the encouraging part is that the roster appears to be trending the right way, even if a few key pieces are still working their way back. [Read more 🡒]
WSU Needs A Spark In Its Home Opener From These Playmakers
Washington State finally gets to come home for its 2026 opener after opening the season with three straight road games, and the timing could hardly be better for a team looking to shake off an 0-2 start. Duquesne brings a defense that has already shown some vulnerability, which gives the Cougars a chance to settle in offensively and put a more complete game together in front of their own fans.
The spotlight falls on Pinnick, Thomas and Blood, three players WSU needs to help set the tone and provide the kind of spark the offense has been missing. With the Cougars still searching for traction early in the year, this matchup feels like an opportunity to regain some confidence and establish a rhythm before the schedule tightens further. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylen Thomas Is Giving WSU A Huge Boost In His New Role
Washington State has been searching for dependable answers in the secondary, and Jaylen Thomas has become one of the most interesting ones as he settles into a new spot. The redshirt sophomore made the move from cornerback to safety and has looked comfortable there, showing the kind of range and playmaking ability that can change a game in a hurry for a defense that needs steady impact players.
Against Kansas State, Thomas showed exactly why the switch has mattered, coming away with two interceptions in one quarter and turning one of them into a pick-six. The performance earned him Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors, and even the celebration stood out, with a backflip after the touchdown return. The bigger question for WSU is how much more there is to come now that he seems to have found a role that fits. [Read more 🡒]