PULLMAN, Wash. – After two rough road losses, Washington State football at long last earned its first win, one arriving at the expensive of FCS Duquesne.
WSU opened the game with a slow start, managing only a slim lead in the first half, but they exploded for an excellent second.
“It was just acknowledging what our small mistakes were and really, it was all holding,” quarterback Caden Pinnick said. “If we just limit small mistakes like holding, you saw how explosive our offense can be.”
The rushing game at long last made its breakout with both Kirby Vorhees and Maxwell Woods rushing for 100+ yards, the first time the Cougs had multuple 100+ rushers since 2005.
“In our eyes, nothing is a mismatch because as we saw last year, Idaho walked in here and almost took a belt to us, you know?” Vorhees said about facing a smaller team like Duquesne. “So really, it’s just a it’s a fundamental thing getting our our feet in the ground, doing what we’re supposed to do every play.”
Special teams also was a major factor with consecutive punt return scores, the first Cougs game with multiple since 1973.
“The speed’s showing up,” head coach Kirby Moore said. “Jaylen Thomas who’s done it on defense, right, doing it now on special teams. That guy’s special. Tank Hawkins, really good to see him out in space, had one in the first half as well. And then having that happen on special teams we got to utilize that in all facets.”
The defense also completely shut down the Dukes, allowing less than 100 passing yards and just 2-13 on third downs, all recovering after allowing an early score.
“I think the guys were just a little more focused,” Cougs linebacker and former Idaho Vandal Matyus McLain said. “Realized, oh ****, this can happen. I mean, I’ve been on the other end of it. It can happen. And I mean, guys just need to realize that fcs teams have some **** to them.”
Moore also earned his first career Cougs win today, a special moment for him and his family.
“Yeah, super grateful,” Moore said. “I mentioned the administration, just everyone working to create the environment that we wanted to the fans, the students, the players doing an awesome job. They’re responding in the second half. Yeah, cool having a good amount of family here and going to enjoy that and then, get right back to work.”
Now the Cougs reset here in Pullman, ready for their second home game in just a week as they welcome back the Arizona Wildcats, a former Pac-12 foe.
Kickoff against Arizona is next Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
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