Owen Eshelman is finally getting the chance he’s been waiting for, and Washington State offensive coordinator Kirby Moore thinks the second-year quarterback is ready to run with it.
After spending time behind Caden Pinnick, Eshelman has now taken over as the Cougars’ QB1, and Saturday night in Corvallis will put that move under the spotlight. Moore said on his radio show Wednesday that he’s noticed a sharper edge from Eshelman this week in practice.
“Owen's been chomping at the bit,” Moore said of his new QB1. “He's been working his tail off in the meeting rooms and on the practice field. It was really close (QB battle) going into the season and so he's continued to prepare as the starter.”
The change didn’t come out of nowhere. Washington State gave Pinnick, the UC Davis transfer, six starts to prove he could get the offense moving, but the production never really came. The turning point came after the Cougs’ 17-16 loss to Utah State in Week 6, a defeat that dropped them to 1-5.
Moore stressed that the quarterback play wasn’t the only issue, but he also made clear there were too many chances left on the field.
“Well, I think you look at the last three games we had some opportunities there in the first half,” Moore said of the rough QB play. “In the second half we've got to take care of the football. In the second half (against Utah State), right, we struggled to stay on the field offensively and we had some opportunities there that we felt good about when reviewing the film and it just didn't happen.”
Now the focus shifts to Eshelman, whom Moore described as a steady, prepared presence.
“First, he's a student of the game,” Moore said. “He really does a great job in the meeting room.
I think if you look at his notes and just everything that he's doing there, he can regurgitate quickly what you're coaching him to do. With that, he's got a very even-keel personality.
“He gravitates to having a great relationship with his teammates. He throws a very catchable ball.
He can extend plays and be part of the run game. With the offense, I think naturally it's about him trusting the guys around him.”
Moore said Eshelman’s mindset hasn’t changed much, but the added work with the first unit has clearly helped.
“Yeah, 100 percent,” Moore said of Eshelman being ready for this moment. “You've seen him in our walk throughs.
All the quarterbacks are right together. He's had a number of reps in practice and then this week being with the first group, you have a lot more opportunities in practice to build those connections with your skill guys.”
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