Washington State is breaking out a look it has never worn before for Saturday’s home opener against Duquesne, and the timing fits the moment. The Cougars will take the field at 12:30 p.m. on USA Network in white helmets with the crimson Cougar logo, crimson jerseys and crimson pants.
That combination has some familiar pieces, but not together. WSU wore a similar setup against San Diego State last season, though those white helmets carried Wazzu in crimson script instead of the Coug logo. With the 2026 home opener at Martin Stadium, the program is rolling out a fresh version of its crimson-heavy game-day look.
The helmet color has already had mixed results this season. Last year, the Cougars were 2-0 in white helmets, beating San Diego State and Utah State. This season, they opened 0-1 in them after last week’s loss to Kansas State.
The crimson jersey has been a better sign in recent memory. WSU went 4-0 in crimson jerseys last season, with wins over Idaho, San Diego State, Oregon State and Toledo. The crimson pants, meanwhile, produced a 2-3 record, with victories over San Diego State and Oregon State and losses to James Madison, Washington and Ole Miss.
Paul Hutson III served as the model for the uniform reveal this week, making him the second newcomer to do so. He follows safety Jaylen Thomas and running back Kirby Vorhees as the previous uniform models.
Among the uniform models from last year, only four are back with the Cougars this season: running backs Maxwell Woods and Leo Pulalasi, linebacker Isaiah Hung and safety Kyle Peterson.
Hutson, a 6-1, 270-pound fifth-year player from Norfolk, Va., arrived from Marshall this season. He has not started either game, but he has logged 60 total snaps, which ranks third among Cougar defensive tackles. Through two games, he has four pressures and two tackles.
His college path has been a winding one. Hutson began at Campbell, moved to Austin Peay, returned to Campbell and then transferred to Marshall before landing at WSU.
In his career, he has played in 40 games and recorded 119 tackles, including 11.5 for loss and 5.5 sacks. He has also forced a fumble, intercepted two passes and broken up two more.
One of those interceptions went back for a touchdown last year.
The reveal was shot inside Martin Stadium, with Hutson featured in a series of images sitting in the stands. The music in the background was Dead Fresh Freeystyle by rapper Luhredd Da Goat.
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 Found A Bigger Role For Leo Pulalasi At The Right Time
With injuries thinning Washington States tight end room, Leo Pulalasi has quietly become one of the more useful pieces in the offenses reshaped puzzle. The junior running backs job has expanded this season, and his move to H-back during the offseason gave the Cougars another way to keep key personnel on the field without sacrificing flexibility.
Kirby Moore said the role change was part of the plan well before the opener, and Pulalasi has already shown why it matters. He supplied a lead block on a touchdown in the season opener, while also getting a few touches as a runner and receiver, a modest usage profile that still hints at how much the staff trusts him in multiple spots. [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 🡒]