No. 10 WASHINGTON STATE at COLORADO
12:30 p.m. (PT), Saturday, Nov. 10  •  ESPN
Folsom Field (53,750)  •  Boulder, Colo.

No. 10 COUGARS TRAVEL TO COLORADO FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON MATCHUP

No. 10 Washington State (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) heads to Boulder, Colo. to face Colorado (5-4, 2-4 Pac-12), Saturday at 12:30 p.m. (PT) on ESPN.
 

SERIES HISTORY

Washington State trails the all-time series with Colorado 6-5 but posted a 28-0 victory over the Buffs in Pullman last season. The series is tied 3-3 when playing in Boulder with Colorado claiming a 38-24 win in 2016. WSU's last win in Boulder came in 2011.
 

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 219 after making an appearance at the show in Baton Rouge, La. for the Alabama-LSU 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.
 

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State enters the week ranked No. 10 in the Associated Press Top-25 with an 8-1 overall record and 5-1 mark in Pac-12 play after posting a 19-13 win over California in Pullman last Saturday. WSU is 8-1 for the first time since 2002 and is looking to match the 2002 team's 9-1 start. The Cougars own the nation's best passing attack (397.4 ypg) and the No. 24-ranked defense in the country (327.1 ypg). Quarterback Gardner Minshew II paces the country in passing (390.8) and is sixth in touchdown passes (27). 

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.

COUGAR QUICK GAME
TEAM
•  WSU's roster features players from 18 different states and players from American Samoa and Australia
•  WSU owns 24 Pac-12 wins since 2015, tied for 2nd-most in the Pac-12 (USC - 25, Stanford - 24, UW - 24)
•  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 16 TD through 9 games after rushing for 8 TD all of last season
•  WSU running backs lead all Pac-12 running back groups with 20 total TD and 96 receptions
•  WSU is tied for 3rd in the country with 18 scoring drives of 10+ plays, tied for most among Power-5 teams

INDIVIDUAL
•  Mike Leach owns 46 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 (390.8) and 6th in passing TDs (27)
•  RB James Williams leads all running backs nationally with 58 receptions, tied for 2nd with 3 receiving 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 50 career games, WSU record is 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 130-82 career record including a 46-39 mark at WSU, now in his seventh season in Pullman. 

- Leach's 46 wins at WSU, 3rd-most in school history, Mike Price (1989-2002) is 2nd with 83, wins and O.E. Hollingberry (1926-42) owns the school-record with 93 wins

- 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 lead the nation in passing twice under Leach, entered week leading the nation by more than 21 yards/g
 

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 4th-longest active streak in the country (Alabama - 23)

- 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 stayed at No. 10 in the latest Associated Press Top-25, the fourth-straight week WSU has been in the Top-25. The No. 10 ranking is the highest WSU has been ranked since reaching No. 8 prior to last season's matchup at California. WSU appeared eighth in last week's initial College Football Playoff Rankings, the highest WSU had appeared in the CFP since entering last year's Apple Cup ranked 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 COLORADO CONNECTION

Washington State currently owns a couple connections to the state of Colorado.

- Freshman running back Max Borghi (449 all-purpose yards, 31 rec, 9 total TD) is a native of Arvada, Colo. and was the 2017 Colorado State Player of the Year at Pomona High School after rushing for 1,690 yards and 27 touchdowns, helping PHS to a 12-2 mark and a 5A State title

- In the 5A state title game played the Denver Broncos' Mile High Stadium, Borghi rushed for 247 yards and 3 TD

- Former Cougar wide receiver River Cracraft was called up to the Broncos 53-man roster last weekend and made his NFL debut last Sunday with a 5-yard punt return against the Houston Texans. Cracraft played at WSU (2013-16) and finished 2nd in WSU history with 218 career receptions and 6th in WSU history with 20 career TD catches
 

RECORD BOOK WATCH

A couple Cougars continue to see their names move up the Washington State record book.

- James Williams owns 177 receptions, 2nd-most by a WSU running back, and last week moved into a tied for 8th in WSU's Top-10 for receptions by all players

- Williams rushed for 2 TD at Stanford, now owns 22 career total TD, 10th-most in WSU history

- Keith Harrington owns 53 career receptions, tied with Ruben Mayes for 9th-most catches by a WSU RB

- Peyton Pelluer has played in 50 games, Gabe Marks (WR) and Daniel Ekuale (DL) own WSU record with 51 GP

- Pelluer moved into WSU's Top-10 for career tackles 3 weeks ago, now sits tied for 7th with 325 tackles (Page 7)

- Pelluer moved into WSU's Top-10 for career tackles-for-loss last week, is tied for 9th with 31.5 TFL (Page 7)

- Gardner Minshew II owns 27 passing TD, 8th-most in WSU single-season history

- Minshew II owns 3,517 passing yards, 8th-most in WSU single-season history

- Minshew II has thrown for 300+ yards in all 9 games, tied for 2nd-most in WSU single-season history

- 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 29) (Ratings Based On PFF College)

Quarterback Gardner Minshew II has produced some impressive numbers in his first season with the Cougars. 

- 2018 Maxwell Award Semifinalist (1 of 20 up for the College Player of the Year)

- Maxwell Award National QB of the Week (vs. Oregon, 323 yards, 4 TD)

- Entered week 1st in the country in passing yards/g (390.8), passing yards (3,517) and total offense/g (397.4)

- Entered week 6th in the country in passing TD (27), 1st among Pac-12 QB's in completion percentage (70.8)

- Rated 2nd-best overall QB in the country and 2nd-best passing QB in the country

- Rated the country's best passer when under pressure and top deep-passer (61.9%) in the country (20+ yards)

- Only QB in country with five 400-yard games in 2018, Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) and D'Eriq King (Houston) each 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 76-of-102 passes (.745) for 1,018 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 MAXWELL AWARD SEMIFINALIST 

Gardner Minshew II was named a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award last week. Minshew II is one of 20 semifinalists for the award which annually recognizes the College Player of the Year. Minshew II was added to the award watch list following the win over Oregon State. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 19 and a second round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media. The winner 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 nine games.

- 12 players caught a pass against Eastern Washington

- 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 9 games, WSU has had 8 different receivers lead the team in receiving

- WSU owns 5 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), Easop Winston Jr. (at USC, Utah) and Jamire Calvin (at Stanford)

- Tay Martin entered the week 5th in Pac-12 in receptions (52) and in tied for 3rd TD catches (7)

- Martin is 4th among Pac-12 receivers in snaps played (579)

- Easop Winston Jr. entered week tied for 3rd in Pac-12 in TD catches (7), caught 2 game-winners (Utah, Cal)

- Winston Jr.'s 89-yard TD catch against Utah tied for 7th-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 8th in Pac-12 in receiving yards (621), leads team with 29 catches for 1st downs

- Jamire Calvin leads the team with nine 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 25 catches in 2018, 18 of those have resulted in a 1st down

- 4 receivers are rated among the Top-12 blocking WR in the Pac-12, Martin (7th), Sweet (9th), Travell Harris (12th) and 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. In week one at Wyoming, the backs combined for 18 receptions, 101 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Against Eastern Washington, the backs combined for 10 receptions and four rushing touchdowns including three from James Williams, the first Cougar with three rushing touchdowns since 2012. In the win over Oregon, the backs (Williams, Max Borghi, Keith Harrington) combined for 187 all-purpose yards, 93 rushing yards, 14 receptions and two touchdowns. At  Stanford, the backs combined for 11 catches, 151 all-purpose yards and three TD (2 rushing, 1 receiving).
 

COUGAR RUNNING BACK NOTES (Ratings based on PFF College)

- WSU has rushed for 16 TD in 2018, rushed for 8 TD last season

- WSU running backs combine to lead all Pac-12 running backs groups with 20 total TD and 96 receptions

- James Williams entered the week tied for 4th in the Pac-12 with 11 total TD, good for 17th in the country

- Williams leads all RB nationally with 58 catches, 2nd in the Pac-12 among all receivers

- Williams has forced the most missed tackles by a receiving RB in the country (22), 2nd is CSU's Kinsey Jr. (12)

- 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 9 total TD, 7th in the country in catches by a RB (31)

- Borghi has forced the 7th-most missed tackles by a receiving RB in the country (10)

- 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 3rd-best pass-blocking line in the country

- WSU has allowed just 7 sacks this season on 425 pass attempts, fewest sacks allowed in the Pac-12 and 5th-fewest allowed in the country, allowed one sack for every 68 pass attempts

- WSU has blocked for 16 rushing TD and seen Cougar running backs average 4.6 yards-per-carry

- Andre Dillard (LT) is rated the 3rd-best OT in the country, the top pass-blocking OT, 2nd-best screen-blocking OT

- Dillard has started 35 straight games at left tackle, allowed just 1 sack on 680 snaps

- 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 4th-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 21 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
 

WSU Speed D entered the week:

- 1st in the Pac-12 in sacks (27), tied for 14th in the country

- 1st in the Pac-12 with 14 players who have recorded a sack

- 3rd in the Pac-12 in rush defense (131.0), 31st in the country

- 3rd in the Pac-12 in pass defense (191.1), 34th in the country

- 3rd in the Pac-12 in 3rd-down defense (34.4%), 34th in the country

- 4th in the Pac-12 in total defense (327.1), 24th in the country

- tied for 5th in the Pac-12 with 60 tackles-for-loss, 40th 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

- Nnamdi Oguayo is rated the 3rd-best DE in the Pac-12

- Logan Tago is rated the 6th-best DE in the Pac-12, owns a career-high 8.0 TFL, had 1st 2 career sacks last week

- Dominick Silvels (RUSH) and Pelluer are tied for 11th in Pac-12 in sacks (3.5)

- Willie Taylor III (RUSH) is rated the 4th-best OLB, 2nd-best OLB pass rusher in the Pac-12, 2 sacks, 13 QB hurries

- Will Rodgers III (DL) has played the 7th-most snaps among Pac-12 defensive tackles and nose tackles

- Rodgers III and Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei are tied for 1st among Pac-12 DT and NT in sacks (3)

- Darrien Molton (CB) is tied for 7th in Pac-12 in pass breakups (8)

- Jalen Thompson (SS) has made 35 straight starts, every game of his career

- Skyler Thomas (FS), 1st season as a starter, is 3rd on team in tackles (50), made 1st career INT last week vs. Cal
 

NEW FACES MAKE MARK FOR SPECIAL TEAMS

The Cougar special teams have seen some new faces produce in 2018. Kicker Blake Mazza owns nine field goals including a long of 50 at USC, tied for the longest by any Pac-12 kicker in 2018, and a game-winning 42-yarder with 19 seconds left at Stanford. Punter Oscar Draguicevich III has produced nine punts of 50+ and put eight inside the 20 while averaging 4736 yards per punt, good for fourth in the country. (The minimum to qualify for NCAA stats is 3.6 punts/g, Draguicevich III averages 3.1 punts/g). Kyle Sweet has averaged 7.2 yards-per-punt return and produced a 26-yard return against San Jose State and an 18-yarder against Eastern Washington.

WSU special teams entered the week:

- 8th in the country in net punting (41.9), punter Oscar Draguicevich III is 4th in the country in punting (47.3)

- 5th in the country in kickoff return, averaging 27.9 yards-per-return

- Travell Harris (KR) is 10th in the country (27.9), had a 100-yard kickoff return for TD against Eastern Washington, had a 38-yard return against Oregon and a 46-yard return against Cal last week

- Blake Mazza (OK) leads all Pac-12 kickers in extra points (42) and is 3rd in points (69)

- Mazza's 42-yard game-winning field goal at Stanford was WSU's first game-winning field in the final minute since 2012, Andrew Furney hit from 27 yards in overtime to beat Washington

- KR Travell Harris returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Eastern Washington, WSU's first kick return for a touchdown since 2016 at Arizona State (Robert Taylor, 100 yards)

- 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
 

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
 

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
 

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
 

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 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 before signing with WSU this past spring.
 

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. 
 

JASON HANSON NAMED TO CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA HALL OF FAME

Jason Hanson was inducted into the CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame this past summer. Hanson became the first student-athlete in school history to receive this honor, entering the hall of fame along with Tennessee football player Peyton Manning, Florida International baseball player Mike Lowell and San Jose State basketball and track and field athlete Dr. Harry Edwards. Hanson, a pre-med major, was a three-time Academic All-American during his four years in Pullman (1988-91) and concluded his senior season by being named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, one of only five in WSU history to receive the honor. The Spokane, Wash. native, Hanson was an All-American kicker and punter for the Cougars, earning Freshman All-America honors as a kicker in 1988 and later became WSU's first unanimous first team All-American as a sophomore in 1989. As a junior, he was named All-Pac-10 as both a punter and kicker and earned All-American honors as a punter that season. As a senior in 1991, he was named an All-American at both punter and kicker. Hanson finished his WSU career with 19 field goals of 50+ yards including a Pac-10 record 62-yarder, the longest without use of a tee in NCAA Division I history. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL draft and played 21 seasons with the Lions, earning Pro Bowl honors twice, second team All-Pro honors in 1997 and was a first team All-Pro selection in 1993. Upon his retirement, Hanson held the NFL record for career 50-yard kicks (52) and was inducted into the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Lions Ring of Honor in 2013.
 

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.