No. 8 COUGARS HOST ARIZONA SATURDAY NIGHT ON ESPN
No. 8 Washington State (9-1, 6-1 Pac-12) returns to Martin Stadium for its final two regular season contests beginning Saturday against Arizona (5-5, 4-3 Pac-12). Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.

SERIES HISTORY
Washington State trails the all-time series with Arizona 27-16 after the Wildcats posted a 58-37 victory in Tucson last season. Arizona leads the all-time series in Pullman 11-5 but WSU recorded a 69-7 win in the 2016 meeting. 

COLLEGE GAMEDAY RECORD
Dating back to the middle of the 2003 season, ESPN's College GameDay has had the WSU flag appear throughout the show. The first appearance came Oct. 4, 2003 in Austin, Texas and the streak began two weeks later in Madison, Wisc. (10/18/03). The streak reached 217 after the show made its first appearance in Pullman Oct. 20, 2018. Last week, the streak reached 220 after making an appearance at the show in Boston for the Clemson-Boston College matchup. Two flags – Ol' Crimson and Gray – have been flown in the background of the GameDay set by dozens of friends and alumni. The Gray flag was added in 2014 after Whitey was retired in honor of Steve Gleason's "No White Flags." In addition to the flags that fly, there is a traveling flag signed by the holders after each episode. The traveling flag is retired after each season, the first is hanging in WSU's Alumni Center.

WSU CONTINUES WORK PROMOTING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
Following the tragic suicide of Washington State University student-athlete Tyler Hilinski last January, the university embarked on a number of activities to raise awareness of suicide prevention on campus. WSU's goal is to properly pay tribute to Tyler's memory while destigmatizing mental health concerns and delivering a strong message of hope and healing. As part of this commitment, four new initiatives were launched on campus last semester. These included:
    • A second formal mental health screening for all members of the football team following the death of Tyler, along with meetings with all varsity athletes to help identify individuals who might be at risk for mental health issues. 
    • Adding a full-time clinical psychologist to the Athletic Department health and wellness area.
    • Providing free access to Mental Health First Aid, a proactive intervention training, for the entire WSU student body,
    • Active engagement with the JED Foundation to identify any changes that might be needed in the care of our students. 
In addition to the immediate steps the university undertook during the last academic year, WSU students embraced the cause as well. The Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU) launched the Cougar Health Fund, a student-driven endowment that sponsors mental health awareness and related initiatives on the WSU Pullman campus. In the spring, ASWSU hosted the Cougar Courage 5K run to help raise money for the endowment. By the end of April, the group had already raised $50,000.
 
WSU COMMITTED TO ADDITIONAL STEPS IN 2018-19
These include:
    • Inviting the Hilinski family to raise the Cougar flag at the September 8, 2018 home opener against San Jose State University to start the 2018 football season. (The National Alliance on Mental Illness has designated September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and September 10 is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day).
    • The football team will remember Tyler by displaying a decal on the back of their game day helmets this year and will maintain Tyler's locker as a "Locker of Hope" throughout the 2018 season.
    • The university is adding a highlight from Tyler's playing career to the "Way Back Home" video, which will be shown at every home game throughout the 2018 football season. A public service announcement addressing mental health awareness and suicide prevention will also be played at home football games this year.
    • A Hilinski's Hope Foundation flag will be displayed inside the stadium for the 2018 season.
    •  Plans are underway for a new multi-day event, Game Day for Mental Health, in April 2019 to coincide with the Crimson and Gray Spring Football Game on April 20. The Athletics Department will be returning the spring football game to Martin Stadium this year and, in coordination with Student Affairs, will create a series of activities around the preseason scrimmage.
    • WSU will host a series of lectures during the 2018-2019 academic year that will be focused in the mental health arena. These lectures will be open to the entire university community, and began earlier this month with former WSU student-athlete Collin Henderson, as well as Dr. Derek Greenfield discussing inclusive excellence and positive change.
    • The university will develop a permanent Walk of Hope on the Pullman campus. This memorial will offer messages of hope and provide resource information for those in need of mental health support.
    • WSU Athletics will release a public service announcement to kickoff Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, featuring student-athletes from all WSU athletic programs.
    • WSU Athletics, in partnership with Hilinski's Hope, is also joining with national experts in developing an innovative peer-to-peer mental health awareness program, beginning this September.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State enters the week ranked eighth in the Associated Press Top-25 with a 9-1 overall record and 6-1 mark in Pac-12 play after posting a 31-7 win at Colorado last Saturday. WSU is 9-1 for the first time since 2002 and is looking for its first 10-1 start since 1997 which would match the program record for wins. The Cougars own the nation's best passing attack (392.3 ypg) and the No. 20-ranked defense in the country (324.1 ypg). Quarterback Gardner Minshew II paces the country in passing (385.2) and is sixth in touchdown passes (29). 

COUGAR QUICK GAME
TEAM
•  WSU's roster features players from 18 different states and players from American Samoa and Australia
•  WSU owns 25 Pac-12 wins since 2015, tied for the most wins in the Pac-12 with USC and Stanford
•  WSU is the only Pac-12 team with four shutouts in the last six seasons (Stanford and Washington with 2)
•  WSU has beaten Oregon four straight years for the first time since 1981-84
•  WSU has beaten Stanford three straight years for the first time since 2001-03
•  WSU has won 12 straight home games, the 3rd-longest streak in program history, longest since 1928-33 (19)
•  WSU has rushed for 18 TD through 10 games after rushing for 8 TD all of last season
•  WSU running backs lead all Pac-12 running back groups with 22 total TD and 105 receptions
•  WSU is tied for 2nd in the country with 20 scoring drives of 10+ plays, tied for most among Power-5 teams

INDIVIDUAL
•  Mike Leach owns 47 wins at WSU, 3rd-most in program history
•  Under Leach, WSU has recorded 13 4th-quarter comebacks in his 7 seasons (Utah, at Stanford in 2018)
•  QB Gardner Minshew II entered the week leading country in passing (385.2) and 6th in passing TD (29)
•  RB James Williams leads all RB nationally with 63 receptions, Borghi leads all receiving RB with 4 rec TD
•  WR Tay Martin has 4 career multiple-TD games (2017 - at Arizona, vs. Mich State), (2018 - SJSU, at Oregon State)
•  LB Peyton Pelluer has played in 51 career games, tying WSU record of  51 Gabe Marks (WR), Daniel Ekuale (DL)
•  Pelluer entered the week tied for 7th in WSU history with 325 tackles, tied for 9th in WSU history with 31.5 TFL

MIKE LEACH AMONG NATION'S BEST
Mike Leach is in his 17th season as a head coach and owns a 131-82 career record including a 47-39 mark at WSU, now in his seventh season in Pullman. 
- Leach's 47 wins at WSU, 3rd-most in school history, Mike Price (1989-2002) is 2nd with 83 and O.E. Hollingberry (1926-42) owns the school-record with 93
- Last year, Leach became the 1st Cougar head coach in school history to lead WSU to three straight bowl games
- Leach entered 2018 2nd in school history with 4 bowl appearances, trailing Mike Price's 5
- WSU is bowl eligible for the fourth-straight year, a first in program history
- Leach was the 2015 Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year, George Munger Coach of the Year semifinalist (2016, 2017) 
- WSU has led the Pac-12 in passing in 5 of Leach's 6 seasons, only finishing 2nd behind Cal (Jared Goff) in 2013 
- WSU has led the nation in passing twice under Leach (2014, 2015)

FRIENDLY CONFINES OF MARTIN STADIUM
Washington State has claimed 12 straight victories at Martin Stadium, the third-longest home winning streak in program history. Last season, WSU went 7-0 at home, the most home wins in program history and was the first perfect home mark since going 6-0 in 2003.
- WSU's 12-game home winning streak is tied for the 5th-longest active streak in the country (Alabama - 24)
- WSU's longest home winning streak is 19 games that started in 1928 and ended with a tie in 1933 
- WSU's 2nd-longest home winning streak is 14 games from 1904-08
- WSU's longest home unbeaten streak is 33 games that ran 1926-35 (wins and ties)

COUGARS IN TOP-25 RANKINGS
Washington State moved up two spots to eighth in the latest Associated Press Top-25, the fifth-straight week WSU has been in the Top-25. The eighth ranking is the highest WSU has been ranked since reaching No. 8 prior to last season's matchup at California. WSU appeared eighth in each of the first two week's of the College Football Playoff Rankings, the highest WSU had appeared in the CFP since entering last year's Apple Cup No. 13.

YOUNG COUGS TAKE THE FIELD 
WSU has seen 27 players make their debuts and 13 make their first career start in 2018. Six players made their first career starts on offense at Wyoming; Easop Winston Jr. (Z), Travell Harris (H), Liam Ryan (LG), Josh Watson (RG), Abraham Lucas (RT), Gardner Minshew II (QB) and four made third first career start on defense; Nick Begg (DT), Taylor Comfort (NT), Dominick Silvels (RUSH), Skyler Thomas (FS). Against Eastern Washington, Max Borghi (RB) made his first career start, Willie Taylor III (RUSH) made his first career start at USC and Will Rodgers III (DT) made his first career start against Utah. 

COUGAR ARIZONA CONNECTION
Washington State currently owns a couple connections to the state of Arizona.
- Arizona head coach Kevin Sumlin was a WSU graduate assistant coach under Mike Price (1989-90)
- Sophomore defensive back Alex Flood is a native of Scottsdale, Ariz. and played 1 season at Glendale CC
- WSU Chief of Staff Dave Emerick was the Arizona recruiting coordinator for Mike Stoops from 2010-11
- WSU inside WR coach Dave Nichol spent 5 seasons on the Arizona coaching staff, 4 as the WR coach (2008-11)
- WSU outside WR coach Steve Spurrier Jr. worked with Mike Stoops at Arizona during the 2004 season
- WSU Manager of Player Personal Brittany Thackery was a 4-time All-American outfielder for the Arizona softball team (2008-11), earning first-team honors her final three seasons. Thackery, the former Brittany Lastrapes,  also set a Women's College World Series record with 13 hits in the 2010 Women's College World Series
- Former Cougar All-American safety Deone Bucannon is in his 5th season with the Arizona Cardinals. Bucannon played at WSU (2010-13), earning All-American honors in 2013, finished his career 3rd in WSU history with 15 interceptions and 4th in WSU history with 384 tackles and was the No. 27 overall pick by the Cardinals in 2014

RECORD BOOK WATCH
A couple Cougars continue to see their names move up the Washington State record book.
- James Williams owns 182 receptions, 2nd-most by a WSU running back, tied for 7th overall in WSU history
- Williams' 63 receptions are 2nd-most by a running back in WSU single-season history, Williams had 71 last year
- Williams rushed for 1 TD at Colorado, owns 23 career total TD, tied for 7th-most in WSU history
- Williams owns 12 total TD in 2018, tied for 9th-most in WSU single-season history
- Max Borghi owns 10 total TD in 2018, 2 away from Deon Burnett's 1999 freshman total TD record of 12
- Keith Harrington owns 54 career receptions, 9th-most catches by a WSU running back
- Peyton Pelluer has played in 51 games, tying Gabe Marks (WR) and Daniel Ekuale (DL) for the most games played in WSU history
- Pelluer moved into WSU's Top-10 earlier this season, entered week tied for 7th with 325 tackles (Page 7)
- Pelluer moved into WSU's Top-10 earlier this season, entered week tied for 9th with 31.5 TFL (Page 7)
- Gardner Minshew II owns 29 passing TD, 7th-most in WSU single-season history
- Minshew II owns 3,852 passing yards, 6th-most in WSU single-season history
- Minshew II has thrown for 300+ yards in all 10 games, tied for the most in WSU single-season history (Falk, 2015)
- Minshew II has thrown for 400+yards 5 times, tied for 2nd-most in WSU single-season history, (Luke Falk - 5, 2015 Connor Halliday - 6, 2014)

GARDNER MINSHEW II NOTES (Game-by-Game Page 31) (Ratings Based On PFF College)
Quarterback Gardner Minshew II has produced some impressive numbers in his first season with the Cougars. 
- 2018 Davey O'Brien Award Semifinalist (1 of 16 up for nation's best college Quarterback)
- 2018 Maxwell Award Semifinalist (1 of 20 up for the College Player of the Year)
- 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Top-15 for nation's top senior or 4th-year junior QB)
- Maxwell Award National QB of the Week (vs. Oregon, 323 yards, 4 TD)
- Entered week 1st in the country in passing yards/g (385.2), passing yards (3,852) and total offense/g (393.8)
- Entered week 6th in the country in passing TD (29), 1st among Pac-12 QB's in completion percentage (69.5)
- Rated 3rd-best overall QB in the country and 2nd-best passing QB in the country
- Rated the country's 2nd-best passer when under pressure (71.4%)
- Only QB in country with five 400-yard games, Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) and D'Eriq King (Houston) have 3
- Has led WSU on 3 game-winning drives in the 4th quarter (Utah, at Stanford, California)
- Has been at his best in the 4th quarter, completing 83-of-113 passes (.735) for 1,076 yards, 11 TD and 0 INT
- In his WSU debut, went 38-of-57 for 319 yards and 3 TD, also rushed for another in win at Wyoming

MINSHEW II NAMED SEMIFINALIST FOR DAVEY O'BRIEN, MAXWELL AWARDS
Gardner Minshew II is a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award (1 of 16 up for Top College Quarterback) and the Maxwell Award (1 of 20 up for the College Player of the Year). Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 19 and winners will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show presented by Gildan which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 6, 2018.

MINSHEW II NAMED MAXWELL NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK, ADDED TO MAXWELL WATCH LIST
Gardner Minshew II was named the Maxwell Award National Player of the Week after beating No. 12 Oregon after going 39-of-51 for 323 yards and four touchdowns. Minshew II was also named the Rose Bowl Game Pac-12 Player of the Week, one of the Davey O'Brien Award Great 8 Quarterback Performances of the week, one of eight Manning Award "Star" quarterbacks of the week and was named among the Top-15 of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to nation's top senior or 4th-year junior quarterback. 

MINSHEW II ADDS ACCOLADES AFTER OREGON STATE WIN
Quarterback Gardner Minshew II was named the Manning Award Quarterback of the Week, the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced following the win over Oregon State. Minshew II was one of eight quarterbacks named a "Star" of the week before a facebook fan vote determined the winner. Minshew II completed 30-of-40 passes for 430 yards and five touchdowns in the win at Oregon State. Minshew II was also named the Rose Bowl Game Pac-12 Player of the Week, the Reese's Senior Bowl Senior of the Week and was added to Maxwell Award Watch List, presented each year to the College Player of the Year.

HARRIS, MINSHEW II NAMED PAC-12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Kick returner Travell Harris and quarterback Gardner Minshew II each earned Pac-12 Conference Player of the Week accolades after the win over Eastern Washington. Harris was named the Special Teams Player of the Week and Minshew was named the Offensive Player of the Week. Harris, a redshirt-freshman, had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the win over Eastern Washington. The Tampa, Fla. native averaged 41.5 yards-per-return and also recorded a tackle on kickoff coverage. Harris recorded WSU's first kick return for a touchdown since Robert Taylor had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Arizona State in 2016. Minshew II, a senior graduate transfer from East Carolina, completed 45-of-57 passes for 470 yards and two touchdowns in the 59-24 victory over Eastern Washington. 

AIR RAID
Last season WSU averaged a national-best 9.6 receivers catch a pass per game, according to an unofficial survey from sports information directors, and tied for national lead (New Mexico State) with eight players with 25+ catches. This season, Washington State has had at least nine players catch a pass in all 10 games.
- 12 players caught a pass against Eastern Washington, at Colorado
- 11 players caught a pass against California
- 10 players caught a pass against San Jose State, Utah, at Oregon State, at Stanford
- 9 players caught a pass at Wyoming, at USC, Oregon
- Through 10 games, WSU has had 8 different receivers lead the team in receiving
- WSU owns 6 players with 30+ receptions, most by any team in the country
- 10 different receivers have 10-plus receptions and 8 receivers have 20-plus receptions in 2018
- Last season, WSU produced the nation's 2nd-best passing attack (366.8)
- In 2016, WSU was 3rd in the country in passing (362.5), set a single-season records for TD (67) and points (496)
- WSU led the country in passing in 2014 (477.7) and 2015 (389.5), was 4th in 2013 (368.4) and 8th in 2012 (330.4)

COUGAR WIDE RECEIVER NOTES (Ratings Based On PFF College)
- 4 receivers have recorded 100-yard games in 2018, Tay Martin (EWU, at Oregon State), Dezmon Patmon (Utah, at Stanford, at Colorado), Easop Winston Jr. (at USC, Utah) and Jamire Calvin (at Stanford)
- Tay Martin entered the week 5th in Pac-12 in receptions (55) and tied for 5th TD catches (7)
- Martin is 5th among Pac-12 receivers in snaps played (623)
- Easop Winston Jr. entered week tied for 5th in Pac-12 in TD catches (7), caught 2 game-winners (Utah, Cal)
- Winston Jr.'s 89-yard TD catch against Utah tied for 8th-longest TD catch in the country this season, tied for the longest in the Pac-12 in 2018 and longest by a Coug since Vince Mayle's 90-yarder against California in 2014
- Dezmon Patmon entered week 6th in Pac-12 in receiving yards (724), leads team with 35 catches for 1st downs
- Jamire Calvin leads the team with 10 3rd-down catches that have resulted in a 1st down
- Calvin caught 3 passes for 102 yards at Stanford, his 1st career 100-yard game
- Kyle Sweet owns 26 catches in 2018, 18 of those have resulted in a 1st down
- 3 WR are rated among the top blocking WR in the Pac-12, Martin (6th), Travell Harris (12th), Winston Jr. (12th)

ALL-PURPOSE, ALL THE TIME
The Cougar running backs serve all-purpose roles for the Air Raid. In each of the last two seasons, the Cougar backs combined to record 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving. Last season, James Williams led the Cougars with 71 receptions, also the most by any FBS running back in the country. 
- at Wyoming, (James Williams, Max Borghi, Keith Harrington) combined for 18 rec, 101 rush yards and 4 total TD
- Eastern Washington, combined for 10 receptions and 4 rushing TD, 3 from James Williams, the first Cougar with three rushing touchdowns since 2012
- Oregon, combined for 187 all-purpose yards, 93 rushing yards, 14 receptions and 2 TD (1 rushing, 1 receiving)
- at Stanford, combined for 11 catches, 151 all-purpose yards and 3 TD (2 rushing, 1 receiving)
- at Colorado, combined for 183 all-purpose yards, 9 receptions and 2 TD (1 rushing, 1 receiving)

COUGAR RUNNING BACK NOTES (Ratings based on PFF College)
- WSU has rushed for 18 TD in 2018, rushed for 8 TD last season
- WSU running backs combine to lead all Pac-12 running backs groups with 22 total TD and 105 receptions
- James Williams entered the week tied for 2nd in the Pac-12 with 12 total TD, good for 12th in the country
- Williams leads all RB nationally with 63 catches, 3rd in the Pac-12 among all receivers
- Williams has forced the most missed tackles by a receiving RB in the country (25)
- Williams owns 6 career games with 10+ catches, 4 last season and 2 in 2018 (at Wyoming - 10, Cal - 10)
- Max Borghi is 7th in the Pac-12 with 10 total TD, 7th in the country in catches by a RB (34)
- Borghi is tied for the national lead fo receiving TD by a running back (3) 
- Borghi has forced the 2nd-most missed tackles by a receiving RB in the country (12)
- Borghi had an impressive collegiate debut at Wyoming, scoring 2 TD, one receiving and one rushing

NEW-LOOK OFFENSIVE LINE
The Cougar offensive line features a couple new faces in 2018. Gone is four-year starting right tackle Cole Madison, drafted in the fifth round by the Green Bay Packers, two-time All-American left guard Cody O'Connell graduated as well as right guard B.J. Salmonson (44 GP). Two-year starter and 2017 All-Pac-12 HM left tackle Andre Dillard returned for his redshirt-senior season along with junior center Fred Mauigoa who started all 13 games last season and was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List prior to the 2018 season. Redshirt-sophomores Liam Ryan and Josh Watson took over at left guard and right guard, respectively, while redshirt-freshman Abraham Lucas made his collegiate debut at Wyoming and has started each game at right tackle. 

OFFENSIVE LINE NOTES (Ratings based on PFF College)
- WSU owns the nation's best passing attack, is rated the 2nd-best pass-blocking line in the country
- WSU has allowed just 7 sacks this season on 537 pass attempts, fewest sacks allowed in the Pac-12 and tied for 3rd-fewest allowed in the country, allowed one sack for every 76 pass attempts
- WSU has blocked for 18 rushing TD and seen Cougar running backs average 4.5 yards-per-carry
- Andre Dillard (LT) is rated the 2nd-best OT in the country, the top pass-blocking OT, 2nd-best screen-blocking OT
- Dillard has started 36 straight games at left tackle, allowed just 1 sack on 537 pass attempts
- Dillard has won the WSU "BONE AWARD" (offensive lineman of the week) a team-best 4 times in 2018
- Abraham Lucas (RT) is rated the 3rd-best OT in the Pac-12 and 2nd-best pass-blocking OT in the country
- Liam Ryan (LG) is rated 3rd-best pass-blocking OG in the country and top screen-blocking OG in the country
- Fred Mauigoa (C) has started 22 straight games at center, Rimington Trophy Watch List (Top College Center)

COUGAR DEFENSE NOTES
The Speed D has produced some low numbers in 2018, and that's a good thing. 
- at Wyoming, WSU allowed just 206 yards of total offense, tallied 8 TFL including 3 sacks and 1 INT
- San Jose State, WSU posted their 3rd shutout in the last two seasons,  held SJSU to 109 yards of total offense
- Eastern Washington, WSU limited the nation's top FCS passing attack to just 14 completions, had 3 INT
- at USC, WSU allowed just 33 rushing yards after the game's opening drive
- Utah, WSU allowed just 12 completions and 118 passing yards, tallied 7 TFL including 2 sacks
- at Oregon State, WSU recorded 8 TFL including 4 sacks, forced one fumble
- Oregon, WSU held Oregon to 58 rush yards, fewest rushing yards by the Ducks in a conference game since 2007, WSU tallied 7 TFL including 3 sacks
- at Stanford, held Bryce Love to 71 rushing yards, had 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery, 1 4th-down stop
- California, allowed 291 yds of total offense, season-high 10 TFL and 2 INT, matched season-high with 5 sacks
- at Colorado, allowed 75 rush yards, 12 1st downs, 6 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 takeaways (2 FUM, 1 INT)

WSU Speed D entered the week:
- 1st in the Pac-12 in sacks (30), tied for 12th in the country
- 1st in the Pac-12 with 14 players who have recorded a sack
- tied for 2nd in the Pac-12 in 3rd-down defense (33.1%), 25th in the country
- 3rd in the Pac-12 in rush defense (125.4), 26th in the country
- 3rd in the Pac-12 in pass defense (198.7), 34th in the country
- 4th in the Pac-12 in total defense (324.1), 20th in the country
- 4th in the Pac-12 in tackles-for-loss (66), tied for 39th in the country

SPEED D STRIKES AGAIN
The Washington State defense added another impressive game to its file with a shutout of San Jose State week two. It was the third shutout in the last two seasons (2017 - Montana State, Colorado) and fourth under Mike Leach (2013 - Idaho). The Speed D limited SJSU to just 109 yards of total offense, the fourth-fewest yards allowed in program history and fewest allowed since 1994, holding Oregon to 97 yards in a 21-7 Cougar win. WSU also held SJSU to nine rushing yards, tallied eight tackles-for-loss including five sacks and picked off one pass. 

COUGAR DEFENSIVE PLAYER NOTES (Ratings based on PFF College)
- Peyton Pelluer (LB), 12th in Pac-12 in tackles (71), has recorded team-high in tackles 5 times
- Pelluer owns 4 double-digit tackle games in 2018, 12 at USC, 13 vs. Utah, 11 at Oregon State, 10 vs. Cal
- Pelluer is tied for 7th in WSU history with 325 career tackles, tied for 9th in WSU history with 31.5 tackles-for-loss
- Pelluer has recorded the most QB hurries among all Pac-12 linebackers (14), 4th-most in the country by LB
- Pelluer named Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Nominee (Missed final 10 games of 2017 with foot injury)
- Nnamdi Oguayo is rated the 3rd-best DE in the Pac-12
- Logan Tago is rated the 7th-best DE in the Pac-12, owns a career-high 10.0 TFL, has 3 sacks in last 2 games
- Dominick Silvels (RUSH) is tied for 6th in Pac-12 in sacks (4.5)
- Willie Taylor III (RUSH) is rated the 4th-best OLB, 2nd-best OLB pass rusher in the Pac-12, 3 sacks, 17 QB hurries
- Rodgers III, Taylor Comfort and Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei are tied for 1st among Pac-12 DT and NT in sacks (3)
- Darrien Molton (CB) is tied for 5th in Pac-12 in pass breakups (9)
- Jalen Thompson (SS) has made 36 straight starts, every game of his career
- Skyler Thomas (FS), 1st season as a starter, is 3rd on team in tackles (54), made 1st career INT vs. Cal

NEW FACES MAKE MARK FOR SPECIAL TEAMS
The Cougar special teams have seen some new faces produce in 2018. 
- Punter Oscar Draguicevich III has produced 12 punts of 50+ and put 10 inside the 20 while averaging 47.6 yards per punt, good for fourth in the country (The minimum to qualify for NCAA stats is 3.6 punts/g, Draguicevich III averages 3.2 punts/g)
- Kick returner Travell Harris is 10th in the country (27.6), had a 100-yard kickoff return for TD against Eastern Washington, PFF College credited Harris with a 102-yard kickoff return, the longest in the country in 2018, WSU's first kick return for a touchdown since 2016 at Arizona State (Robert Taylor, 100 yards)
- Harris also recorded a 38-yard return against Oregon and a 46-yard return against Cal
- Kicker Blake Mazza owns 10 field goals with a long of 50 at USC, tied for the longest by any Pac-12 kicker in 2018 
- Mazza leads all Pac-12 kickers in extra points (46) and is 2nd in points (76)
- Mazza's 42-yard game-winning field goal at Stanford was WSU's first game-winning field in the final minute since Andrew Furney hit from 27 yards in overtime to beat Washington in 2012
- Kainoa Wilson blocked an Oregon State punt that was returned five yards for touchdown by Tristan Brock, it was the first blocked punt for WSU since 2015 at UCLA and first time returning a blocked punt for a touchdown since 2003

WSU special teams entered the week:
- 1st in the Pac-12 in net punting (42.0), 7th in the country
- 1st in the Pac-12 in kickoff return (27.6), 4th in the country

COUGAR WEEKLY TEAM AWARDS
Following a win, the Cougars will name award winners for select groups:

BONE AWARD - given to the offensive lineman of the week
at WYO - Liam Ryan (LG), graded out the best, WSU had 57 pass attempts, 2 rushing TD, zero sacks allowed
SJSU - Andre Dillard (LT), graded out the best, 54 pass attempts, zero sacks allowed
EWU - Fred Mauigoa (C), graded out the best, 65 pass attempts, 524 passing yards, 4 rushing TD
at USC - None
UTAH - Abraham Lucas (RT), graded out the best, 3 passing TD against nation's top passing defense
at OSU - Andre Dillard (LT), graded out the best, 5 passing TD, 2 rushing TD, no sacks allowed on 40 pass attempts
ORE - Andre Dillard (LT), graded out the best, 4 passing TD, 1 rushing TD, no sacks allowed on 51 pass attempts
at STAN - Abraham Lucas (RT), graded out the best, 3 passing TD, 2 rushing TD
CAL - Andre Dillard (LT), graded out the best, 1 rushing TD, 1 sack allowed on 51 pass attempts
at COLO - Abraham Lucas (RT), graded out the best, 2 rushing TD, 0 sacks in 61 pass attempts

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - selected by coaches as top defensive performer
at WYO - Marcus Strong (CB), tallied two tackles, one pass breakup, interception was lone WSU takeaway
SJSU - Jalen Thomson (S), tallied 4 tackles, one for loss, had one pass breakup, shutout
EWU - Jahad Woods (LB), tallied 5 tackles, INT, shared a sack, 1 PBU
at USC - None
UTAH - Peyton Pelluer (LB), game-high 13 tackles, 1.5 TFL including 1 sack late in the fourth quarter
at OSU - Peyton Pelluer (LB), game-high 11 tackles, 1 TFL and 2 pass breakups
ORE - Jalen Thompson (SS), team-high 7 tackles and 3 pass breakups
at STAN - None
CAL - Skyler Thomas (FS), 6 tackles, 1 INT in the end zone in the 4th quarter
at COLO - Willie Taylor III (RUSH), 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, one pass breakup

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK - selected by coach Matt Brock as the top special teams contributor
at WYO - Dillon Sherman (LB), contributed on all special teams, graded out best on play assignments
SJSU - Kyle Sweet (PR), averaged 12.2 yards-per-punt return including long of 26
EWU - Travell Harris (KR), 100-yard kickoff return for TD, also made a tackle on kickoff coverage
at USC - None
UTAH - Oscar Draguicevich (P), 5 punts, 48.0 avg, 2 punts inside the 20, long of 59
at OSU - Kainoa Wilson, blocked punt that was returned for a TD, recorded 2 special teams tackles
ORE - Jack Crane, recorded touchbacks on all 6 kickoffs
at STAN - Blake Mazza (PK), 23-yard FG before halftime, hit game-winning 42-yard FG with 19 seconds left
CAL - Travell Harris (KR, KO), 46-yard kick return prior to halftime, made tackle on final kickoff at Cal's 7-yard line
at COLO - Tristan Brock, contributed on all four special teams

THOMPSON NAMED TO BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST
Junior safety Jalen Thompson was named to the 2018 Bednarik Award Watch List, presented annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year. Thompson was one of nine Pac-12 Conference players named to watch list. Thompson was an All-Pac-12 second-team selection last season after leading the Cougars with 73 tackles and tied for fourth in the Pac-12 with four interceptions. 

MAUIGOA NAMED TO RIMINGTON TROPHY WATCH LIST, POLYNESIAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH LIST
Junior center Frederick Mauigoa was named to a pair of watch lists over prior to the season, the Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List, presented annually to the most outstanding center in Division I College Football and the Polynesian Player of the Year. Mauigoa was one of 58 centers named to the Rimington Trophy list and is one of 10 from the Pac-12. Riley Sorenson was named to the same watch list prior to the 2016 season. Mauigoa started all 13 games at center last season, anchoring the line that blocked for the nation's second-best passing attack.

PELLUER NAMED Mayo CLINIC COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE
The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in association with The Associated Press (AP) and the Fiesta Bowl organization have selected Peyton Pelluer as a Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Award Nominees. The Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year recognizes the student-athlete from all levels of college football who have overcome injury, illness or other challenges. Pelluer, a 6th-year senior linebacker,  was a two-year starter at MIKE linebacker heading into the 2017 season before suffering a navicular fracture in his foot in the third game. He was granted a medical redshirt to return this year. The Sammamish, Washington native picked up right where he left off, recording three straight, 10+ tackle games versus Pac-12 rivals USC, Utah and Oregon State. For the season he leads the Cougars with 71 tackles (44 unassisted) including seven tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, three passes defended, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

PELLUER NAMED CAMPBELL TROPHY SEMIFINALIST
Linebacker Peyton Pelluer was named a semifinalist for the 2018 William V. Campbell Trophy, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced. Pelluer is one of 179 semifinalists for the award that recognizes the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation. Pelluer earned his bachelor's degree in history in 2017 and is currently pursuing a master's degree in teaching. The Sammamish, Wash. native is a five-time member of the WSU President's Honor Roll, a two-time CoSIDA All-Academic District VIII First Team and a four-time Pac-12 Conference All-Academic selection, once to the first team and twice to the second team. The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists Oct. 31, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 60th NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class.  

SIX FORMER WALK-ONS EARN SCHOLARSHIPS
This past summer, the Cougars awarded scholarships to six former walk-ons. (stats prior to 2018) 
Brandon Arconado (WR, RS-Jr.)    11 GP, 4 REC, 1 TD, Pac-12 All-Academic 2nd Team
Tristan Brock (LB, RS-Jr.)    24 GP, Played special teams, 2x Pac-12 All-Academic HM
Kyle Celli (LS, RS-Sr.)    13 starts in 2017, Pac-12 All-Academic HM
Taylor Comfort (DL, RS-Sr.)    13 GP, mostly on special teams, graduated this past summer - Criminal Justice
Dillon Sherman (LB, RS-So.    13 GP, 23 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
Trey Tinsley (QB, RS-Jr.)    13 GP, holder on FG all 2017 season, Pac-12 All-Academic HM

17 COUGS EARN DEGREES
All 17 members of the 2018 senior class will earn their degree by Summer, 2019. Six players already own bachelor's degrees (Nick Begg, Taylor Comfort, Andre Dillard, Robert Lewis, Gardner Minshew II, Peyton Pelluer) with two, Minshew II and Pelluer pursuing master's degrees. Five more players will complete their degree this fall, four more will finish in the spring and two more will finish next summer. All 19 members of last year's 2017 senior class will have earned their degree by the end of the current fall, 2018 semester.

WELCOME BACK LEWIS, PELLUER
The Cougars welcome back a couple of major contributors for a sixth season. Senior linebacker Peyton Pelluer (254 career tackles) and senior wide receiver Robert Lewis (117 career receptions) were both granted a sixth-year by the NCAA during the offseason. Lewis missed all of 2017 after suffering a knee injury prior to the season and Pelluer played in the first three games before a foot injury ended his 2017 campaign. Both have earned their bachelor's degrees with Lewis working towards another political science major and Pelluer working on his second year pursing a master's in teaching.

POLYNESIAN PIPELINE
The Washington State roster has seen an influx in Polynesian players since Mike Leach and his coaching staff arrived in 2012. The 2018 roster has 10 players who are of Polynesian decent including five from Hawaii, two from American Samoa and one from Australia. 

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
Last season, four Cougars shared a unique bond with their dads and/or grandpa who also had worn the crimson a gray. The 2018 roster features three Cougs who's dad's also played at WSU. Left tackle Andre Dillard's dad, Mitch was an offensive lineman and tight end for the Cougars in the late 1980's; linebacker Peyton Pelluer's dad, Scott also played linebacker for the Cougs, matching Peyton's No. 47 from 1977-80; Peyton's grandpa, Arnie played end for WSU in the mid 1950's and his great grandpa, Carl Gustafson, played flanker in the 1920's; and  quarterback John Bledsoe's dad, Drew Bledsoe played at WSU from 1990-92, was the No. 1 overall pick by the New England Patriots in the 1993 NFL Draft and played 14 seasons.

WSU ADDS PAIR FROM "LAST CHANCE U" 
Washington State signed a pair of players from Independence Community College who was featured on the latest season of "Last Chance U" on Netflix. Junior wideout Calvin Jackson Jr. played two seasons at ICC, leading the team with four touchdown catches last season before signing with the Cougars in February whole sophomore safety Chad Davis Jr. played just one season, recording 15 tackles and three pass breakups at ICC.

COACHING STAFF CHANGES
The 2018 Cougar coaching staff features four new faces and three familiar faces who moved to different roles. Former Minnesota head coach Tracy Claeys arrives to serve as the defensive coordinator, Matt Brock arrives from Bowling Green to serve as the Special Teams coach and outside linebackers coach, Darcel McBrath assumes a full-time assistant position working with the cornerbacks after spending last season as a defensive quality control, Eric Mele worked the previous two and half seasons as the Cougars special teams coach but as moved to coach the Cougar running backs in 2018, Kendrick Shaver arrives from Utah State to coach the safeties, former Western Kentucky assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach Steve Spurrier Jr. arrived to coach the Cougar outside receivers and Tyson Brown returns as the head strength and conditioning coach after a brief stint at Elon College. Brown had served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Cougars the previous four seasons.

HALL OF FAMER BOB ROBERTSON ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
Washington State's legendary hall of fame announcer Bob Robertson announced Oct. 15 that he is retiring from the Cougar broadcasting booth, effective immediately. "I've been with the Cougars a lot of years, more than half a century, calling basketball, football for the fans around the Northwest and elsewhere around the country and I've enjoyed every minute of it," said Robertson. "But as of this moment, I've asked the athletic department at Washington State University to list me as a retired, former sportscaster for the Cougars," Robertson continued. "It is a matter of getting old is what it is. Everything seems to move a lot faster around me, I move more slowly. I hope to see you soon, I'm not going to go away. I like Washington State people and the school itself too much to do that. But I am going to be on the retired list, starting immediately." Robertson was in his 52nd year calling Cougar athletics, serving as the play-by-play voice from 1964-2011, then moving over to the analyst chair for the past seven seasons. He began his association with WSU football in 1964 and with the exception of a three-year period from 1969-71, has been a member of WSU's broadcast crew ever since. He was behind the mic for 589 Cougar games, including 568 consecutive broadcasts from 1964-2016, the lone exception being the 1981 Holiday Bowl when local radio was not permitted to broadcast. He has been behind the mic for many magical moments and seasons of Cougar football, including the Cardiac Kids, the Palouse Posse, the Fab Five, the 1981 Holiday Bowl, WSU's first bowl game in 50 years, as well as the 1998 and 2002 Rose Bowls. Additionally, he called Rueben Mayes' 357-yard rushing game at Oregon, the 1992 Snow Bowl, 54 Apple Cups (including the three while calling games at Washington) and worked alongside 10 head coaches. Robertson has had a legendary career, having been selected Washington Sportscaster of the Year 12 times, was inducted into both the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame and the Inland Empire Hall of Fame in 2001-02, and in August 2004 received the prestigious Chris Schenkel Award at ceremonies held at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. As much as Robertson is part of Cougar Football Saturday, so is his closing broadcast signature, "Always be a good sport, be a good sport all ways."
Among his many accomplishments, Robertson has:
• Spent three decades calling Pacific Coast League baseball in Seattle and Tacoma
• Had his "cup of coffee" in major league baseball, broadcasting some Seattle Mariner games in the late 1990's
• Long-time voice of the Spokane Indians baseball team and Pacific Lutheran University basketball
• Served as the television voice of Notre Dame football and basketball for two years in the 1950's.

COUGAR FOOTBALL BROADCAST TEAM
Matt Chazanow is in his fourth season as the play-by-play voice for Cougar football, men's basketball and baseball broadcasts. Joining Chazanow for his first season will be former Cougar quarterback Alex Brink who is the only WSU quarterback to win three Apple Cups and was later a seventh-round draft pick by the Houston Texans. Returning for her seventh season as the sideline reporter is Jessamyn McIntyre, an executive producer for 710 ESPN Seattle.  

PATRICK CHUN NAMED DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Washington State University President Kirk Schulz selected Patrick Chun as the WSU Director of Athletics, it was announced Jan. 22, 2018. Chun is the 14th individul to lead Cougar athletics in school history and began his duties Feb. 5. "This is a game-changing day for our athletics program," said WSU President Kirk Schulz. "We were focused on finding a leader with the right blend of experience, vision, and passion to lead Cougar athletics to the next level of success. In Pat, we're confident we found that person. His achievements in fundraising, boosting the academic success rate of student athletes, and building strong relationships with the community—on- and off-campus—are exemplary." Chun, 43, is the first Asian-American athletic director to lead a Power 5 school and continues President Schulz' drive to diversify his senior leadership team. He has spent the past five and a half years leading Florida Atlantic University athletics and the previous 15 years at Ohio State University in a multitude of roles from 1997 through 2012, culminating as the executive associate athletics director. 

STEVE GLEASON RECRUIT SUITE IN COUGAR FOOTBALL COMPLEX
In fall, 2016, WSU announced the naming of the Steve Gleason Recruit Suite, inside the Cougar Football Complex. Gleason, the Washington State Athletic Hall of Famer who played football and baseball in a Cougar uniform from 1995-99, was on hand as the room all future Cougar football players will walk through was named in his honor. The opportunity arrived courtesy of Cougar alumnus Glenn Osterhout's naming donation of $250,000. With his pledge, Osterhout, a 1983 graduate who is a certified financial planner in Bellevue, was presented the opportunity to name the recruiting room inside the Cougar Football Complex.