Washington State may be coming off a better offensive showing, but the Cougars could be short-handed when No. 21 Boise State arrives this weekend.
Kirby Moore said Monday that left tackle Ashton Tripp is day-to-day with an ankle injury, while wide receiver Darrius Clemons is also dealing with an ankle issue. The medical staff is still “determining the extent of that injury here early this week,” Moore said.
Tripp sat out Saturday’s road loss to Oregon State, forcing Washington transfer Maximus McCree into the lineup. It was the first time someone other than Tripp handled left tackle for WSU since 2023, and that matters because Tripp has been a central piece up front.
Clemons’ situation could sting just as much, if not more, given the Cougars’ thin numbers at receiver after Tony Freeman’s season-ending ACL tear in the Sept. 6 Apple Cup. Clemons lasted only 12 snaps against Oregon State before leaving with the injury, getting carted to the locker room and later returning to the bench on crutches.
The 6-foot-3, 217-pound receiver has been one of WSU’s more reliable targets this season, finishing with 20 catches for 218 yards and starting all seven games. If he can’t go against Boise State, the Cougars may lean harder on Daniel Blood, Tank Hawkins and Branden Ganashamoorthy, who broke out last weekend with career highs of 11 receptions and 147 yards.
Moore also mentioned West Georgia transfer Jordan Dees and walk-on Caleb Northcroft as potential options for added snaps. Dees arrived after a productive FCS season in which he had 35 catches for 508 yards and three touchdowns, but he has only played four snaps this year, all against FCS Duquesne in Week 3.
When asked why Dees hasn’t seen more time, Moore pointed to the depth chart and consistency.
“There’s guys ahead of him right now on the depth chart. He’s gotta work to continue to be consistent, just like his teammates, and that’s the big focus for him is just focusing on doing his job, alignment, assignment, obviously playing catch with the quarterbacks and being on the same page.”
There was better news on the defensive line. Moore said defensive ends Malachi Wrice and Michael Hughes are expected to play “full speed” this weekend.
Hughes, who had missed five straight games, returned against Oregon State and logged one pressure in 30 snaps. Wrice has been out since Week 2 and was dressed Saturday, though he didn’t get into the game.
That gives Washington State a needed boost behind starting pass rushers Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk, who combined for five pressures against Oregon State.
Moore also addressed the idea that NIL earnings influence playing time, and he was blunt: “No, the best players are gonna play. We’ve had those evaluations at a number of positions, whether that’s quarterback, receiver, D-tackle. It’s really about who gives us the best opportunity to win.”
The question comes amid the team’s decision to bench Caden Pinnick, the UC Davis transfer, in favor of redshirt freshman Owen Eshelman. Moore said NIL was not a factor in Pinnick holding the starting job for six games.
As for what separated Pinnick and Eshelman during fall camp, Moore said Eshelman had shown enough to make an impression, though he needed to clean up mistakes with the ball.
“He definitely showed flashes,” Moore said. “I think the one thing, and he would say it as well, in fall camp there, there was probably some (issues) in terms of taking care of the football.
Probably had a few more than we wanted, and he’s definitely grown from that. Obviously, it starts in practice and preparing like you’re the starter, and he continued to do that throughout the season.”
Eshelman’s performance Saturday offered a glimpse of what that growth can look like. He completed 32 of 49 passes for 289 yards, threw two touchdowns and one garbage-time interception, and added 15 carries for 136 yards and another score.
Moore said Eshelman did flash earlier in the year too, and noted that fall camp had included a few turnovers, including one that nearly became another interception when safety Jaylen Thomas nearly came away with it. Pinnick, meanwhile, had turnover issues of his own, including a three-interception outing in the team’s second and final scrimmage, two of them tipped.
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