Washington State is asking Leo Pulalasi to do a little bit of everything, and the junior is leaning into it.
With the Cougars set for their home opener this weekend against Duquesne, Pulalasi is looking forward to more than just football. He’ll get to see his parents, Michael and Jackie, in Pullman, and he’s also hoping for a home-style meal to help fill out a frame that now matters in a different way.
Pulalasi has become part of WSU’s three-man running back rotation, but that’s only part of the picture. In his fourth season, he’s also spending more time as an H-back, a role that asks him to combine the blocking responsibilities of a tight end and fullback.
First-year coach Kirby Moore said the move developed after tight ends Trey Leckner and Beau Baker were slowed by foot injuries during the summer, leaving senior Jack Pedersen as the only dependable option at the position.
"(Pulalasi's role) has probably evolved throughout the offseason," Moore said. "Whether it's Leo, whether it's Max (Woods), whether it's Kirby (Vorhees), we want to find ways to keep those guys on the field."
That’s exactly what Pulalasi wants. The Lakes High School product from Lakewood has been eager for a bigger chance to stay on the field, and he got one in a notable way against Washington in the Apple Cup. He made just the second start of his career and was the second running back on the field for WSU’s first snap from scrimmage.
Later, early in the fourth quarter, Pulalasi’s lead block out of the backfield helped spring quarterback Caden Pinnick for an 11-yard touchdown run up the middle. That remains the Cougars’ only offensive touchdown this season.
"Game one, I just really came out hitting everything I could ... and putting my body on the line," Pulalasi said. "That was my main focus."
The assignment is different from what Pulalasi was used to. At 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds, he came out of high school as a productive all-purpose back. And over his first three seasons at WSU, he spent most of his time at tailback, piling up 612 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while adding 22 catches.
This season, his numbers look different: six carries for 11 yards and three receptions from Pinnick for 12 yards.
"My role has been different from high school when I was getting the ball in every game," Pulalasi said.
In Other News...
WSU Is Expanding Martin Stadium Options With A Catch For Fans
Washington State is adding more variety at Martin Stadium this fall, expanding its home football alcohol menu to 11 different beer and seltzer options starting with the game against Duquesne. The move is part of a broader push around the fan experience, with new dining options also announced for the stadium as the Cougars continue to tinker with what game day looks like on the Palouse.
There is a catch for fans, though, as the alcohol pilot program is set to continue into 2026 with more alcohol-free sections and tighter enforcement aimed at monitoring sales and preventing policy violations. The school is also planning stricter consequences for breaches, a sign that the increased options will come with closer oversight as Washington State tries to balance access, safety, and the atmosphere inside Martin Stadium. [Read more 🡒]
WSU Is Bringing A New Look To Its Martin Stadium Opener
Washington State is giving Martin Stadium a fresh first impression for its 2026 home opener against Duquesne, unveiling a new uniform combination built around white helmets with the crimson Cougar logo, paired with crimson jerseys and crimson pants. The look was revealed with fifth-year defensive tackle Paul Hutson III serving as the model, giving the rollout a veteran face from a player who arrived from Marshall and has already carved out a role in the rotation.
Hutson has logged 60 snaps this season, and his presence helps underscore why these small details matter in Pullman. Openers carry a little extra weight anyway, and a new home look can become part of the atmosphere as Washington State settles into the season in front of its own crowd, even before the football itself starts to sort out what kind of team this will be. [Read more 🡒]
WSU Defense Faces Immediate Pressure To Show Last Week Was Fixed
Washington State heads into its matchup with Duquesne with a chance to show that last weeks defensive problems were more than a one-game stumble. Kirby Moores first team has already spent enough time sorting through its early identity, and this week offers a cleaner stage against an FCS opponent that has also had trouble finding much rhythm on offense.
The Cougars are expecting some injured defenders back, which should help a unit that needs to look sharper and more settled right away. Duquesne brings several new defensive starters of its own, so the game carries a little more unpredictability than the label might suggest, but the bigger question in Pullman is simple: whether Washington State can prove its defense is back on track before the schedule asks for something tougher. [Read more 🡒]