No. 12 COUGARS FACE No. 25 IOWA STATE IN VALERO ALAMO BOWL
No. 12 Washington State (10-2, 7-2 Pac-12) heads to San Antonio for a matchup against No. 25 Iowa State (8-4, 6-3 Big-12) in Valero Alamo Bowl. Kickoff is set for Friday, Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. (PT) on ESPN. This will be the first meeting between the two schools.

ALAMO BOWL HISTORY
Washington State is making a program-record fourth consecutive bowl appearance and No. 15 overall appearance. It will be WSU's second trip to the Alamo Bowl, after defeating Baylor 10-3 in 1994, and third trip to San Antonio after facing Notre Dame in a nonconference meeting in 2009. Head coach Mike Leach is making his 15th career bowl appearance and his third in the Alamo Bowl after taking Texas Tech in 2001 and 2009. Leach has led five WSU teams to bowl games, tying the program record set by Mike Price.

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's 217th appearance was its first in Pullman Oct. 20, 2018, a 34-20 win over Oregon. The streak reached 224 after making an appearance in Philadelphia for the Army-Navy game. 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 entered the bowl season ranked No. 12 in the Associated Press Top-25 with a 10-2 overall record and 7-2 mark in Pac-12 Conference play. WSU's 10 wins match a program record, the sixth10-win season in program history and the first since 2003. The Cougars own the nation's best passing attack (380.0 ypg) and the No. 30-ranked defense in the country (346.6 ypg). Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback Gardner Minshew II paces the country in passing (373.3) and total offense (381.9) and is fifth in touchdown passes (36). 

COUGAR QUICK HITS
TEAM
•  WSU's roster features players from 18 different states and players from American Samoa and Australia
•  WSU owns 26 Pac-12 wins since 2015, 2nd-most among all Pac-12 schools during that span (Stan-UW - 27)
•  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 is 5th in the country with 21 scoring drives of 10+ plays, tied for most among all Pac-12 teams (Utah)
•  WSU has had an All-America offensive lineman in each of the last 4 seasons

INDIVIDUAL
•  Mike Leach owns 48 wins at WSU, 3rd-most in program history, named 2018 Pac-12 Coach of the Year
•  Under Leach, WSU has recorded 13 4th-quarter comebacks in his 7 seasons (Utah, at Stanford in 2018)
•  QB Gardner Minshew II won the 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (Nation's top SR or 4th-year JR  QB)
•  Minshew II was named the Pac-12 Offensive Player of Year, finished 5th in Heisman Trophy voting
•  LT Andre Dillard was named to SI.com All-American 2nd Team, AP All-America 3rd Team, All-Pac-12 1st Team
•  RT Abraham Lucas was named a Freshman All-American by USA Today and The Athletic, All-Pac-12 2nd Team
•  RB James Williams leads all RB nationally with 76 receptions, 2nd in Pac-12 with 16 total TD
•  LB Peyton Pelluer owns WSU record for games played (53), 6th in tackles (341), 8th in TFL (33.5)

MINSHEW II FIFTH IN HEISMAN TROPHY VOTING
Quarterback Gardner Minshew II finished fifth in the 2018 Heisman Trophy voting, four points behind West Virginia quarterback Will Grier. Minshew II received six first-place votes and was the second-highest finish by a Cougar in the Heisman since quarterback Ryan Leaf finished third in 1997. Minshew II led the country in passing yards per game (373.3), total offense (381.9), 300-yard games (11), 400-yard games (six), was second in passing yards (4,480) and fifth in touchdown passes (36). The graduate senior from Brandon, Miss. also rushed for three touchdowns and led three fourth quarter game-winning drives (Utah, at Stanford, California).

DILLARD, LUCAS PICK UP ALL-AMERICA HONORS
Offensive tackles Andre Dillard and Abraham Lucas each earned All-America honors in 2018, giving WSU an All-America offensive lineman for the fourth straight season after Joe Dahl (LT) was a second-team selection in 2015 and Cody O'Connell (LG) earned first-team honors in 2016 and 2017. Dillard, a redshirt-senior, was named to the All-America Second Team (SI.com) and All-America Third Team (AP) after starting all 12 games at left tackle and was rated the third-best offensive tackle in the country, the top pass-blocking tackle and second-best screen-blocking tackle in the country by ProFootballFocus College. Lucas, a redshirt-freshman, was named to Freshman All-America Teams by the USA Today and The Athletic after starting all 12 games at right tackle and was rated the ninth-best tackle and second-best pass-blocking tackle in the country by ProFootballFocus College.

MIKE LEACH, GARDNER MINSHEW II EARN PAC-12 TOP AWARDS
Head Coach Mike Leach was named the 2018 Pac-12 Conference Coach of the Year and quarterback Gardner Minshew II was named the 2018 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. Leach earns his second Pac-12 Coach of the Year honor after sharing the honor in 2015. Leach, in his seventh season at WSU, guided the Cougars to a 10-2 overall record including a 7-2 mark in conference play and earned a trip to the Valero Alamo Bowl. Leach is the third Cougar head coach to earn two Conference Coach of the Year awards, joining Jim Walden and Mike Price. Minshew II is the first Cougar to win a conference yearly honor since quarterback Jason Gesser was named the Pac-10 Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2002. Also of note, Cougar freshman running back Max Borghi was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honorable mention after receiving votes from the Pac-12 coaches. Borghi appeared in all 12 games, scored 11 total touchdowns, good for seventh-most in the conference. The Arvada, Colo. native rushed for seven touchdowns, averaged 5.3 yards per carry and also caught 47 passes, four that went for touchdowns.

12 COUGARS NAMED ALL-PAC-12, MINSHEW II AND DILLARD FIRST TEAM
12 Cougars earned All-Pac-12 Conference accolades highlighted by first-team selections quarterback Gardner Minshew II and left tackle Andre Dillard, the 12 selections are the most since 2003. Senior defensive lineman Logan Tago and redshirt-freshman right tackle Abraham Lucas were both named to the second team. Eight received honorable mention; redshirt-sophomore punter Oscar Draguicevich III, redshirt-freshman kick returner Travell Harris, junior center Frederick Mauigoa, graduate senior linebacker Peyton Pelluer, junior safety Jalen Thompson, redshirt-junior running back James Williams, redshirt-junior special teams player Kainoa Wilson and redshirt-sophomore Jahad Woods.

12 EARN PAC-12 ALL-ACADEMIC HONORS
Twelve Cougar football student-athletes earned Pac-12 Conference All-Academic accolades, the twelve selections are the most in program history. To be eligible for selection to the academic team, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.0 overall grade-point average and appear in at least 50 percent of their team's games. Redshirt-senior nose tackle Taylor Comfort was named to the first team and three were named to the second team, redshirt-sophomore running back Clay Markoff, redshirt-senior defensive lineman Nick Begg, redshirt-junior defensive lineman Karson Block and graduate senior linebacker Peyton Pelluer. Seven received honorable mention; redshirt-junior wide receiver Brandon Arconado, redshirt-junior defensive lineman Tristan Brock, redshirt-sophomore kicker Jack Crane, redshirt-freshman linebacker Cole Dubots, redshirt-freshman kick returner Travell Harris, redshirt-sophomore offensive lineman Liam Ryan and redshirt-junior quarterback Trey Tinsley. 

MIKE LEACH AMONG NATION'S BEST
Mike Leach is in his 17th season as a head coach and owns a 132-83 career record including a 48-40 mark at WSU, now in his seventh season in Pullman. 
- Leach's 48 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
- Leach is the 1st Cougar head coach in school history to lead WSU to four straight bowl games
- Leach is now tied with Mike Price for the most bowl appearances with 5
- Leach was the 2015 Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year and 2018 Pac-12 Coach of the Year
- Leach has been named a George Munger Coach of the Year semifinalist (2016, 2017, 2018) 
- 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 saw its 13-game home winning streak snapped in the Apple Cup, the third-longest home winning streak in program history and at the time, was tied for the 5th-longest active streak in the country. WSU went 6-1 at home in 2018 after going a program-best 7-0 last season.

17 SENIORS SET FOR FINAL GAME
17 seniors will be playing their final game in the crimson and gray at the Valero Alamo Bowl. The 2018 senior class owns a WSU-record 36 wins, breaking the 2004 senior class record of 35 wins. Nick Begg (DL), Kyle Celli (LS), Taylor Comfort (DL), Solomon Cooper (RB), Hunter Dale (DB), Andre Dillard (OL), Kingston Fernandez (DL), Sean Harper Jr. (CB), Keith Harrington (RB), Robert Lewis (WR), Gardner Minshew II (QB), Darrien Molton (CB), Chima Onyeukwu (RUSH), Peyton Pelluer (LB), Kyle Sweet (WR), Logan Tago (DL), Robert Valencia (OL). 

YOUNG COUGS TAKE THE FIELD 
WSU has seen 31 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-IOWA STATE, TEXAS CONNECTION
Washington State owns a number of connections to Iowa State and the state of Texas. 
- Mike Leach was the head coach at Texas Tech (10 seasons, 2000-09, 10 bowl games), went 3-1 vs. Iowa State
- Six members of the Cougar coaching staff and three players are Texans, two players are from Iowa
Oscar Draguicevich III (P) - Hutto, Texas, Blake Mazza (K) - Plano, Texas, Kassidy Woods (WR) - Addison, Texas
- Redshirt-freshman DL Dallas Hobbs is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, appeared in 5 games in 2018, 2 tackles
- Redshirt-senior RB Solomon Cooper is a native of Urbandale, Iowa, did not appear in a game
- Cornerbacks coach Darcel McBath is a Gainsville, Texas native, played at TTU (2005-08), NFL 2nd-RD pick (2009)
- Special Teams Coach and outside linebackers coach Matt Brock coached at TTU (2013-15)
- Inside receivers coach Dave Nichol is a Lucas, Texas native, played at TTU (1996-99), coached at TTU (2000-05)
- Chief of Staff and recruiting coordinator Dave Emerick spent 6 seasons in similar role at TTU (2004-09)
- Director of Operations Antonio Huffman played at TTU (2003-06), worked in similar role at TTU (2008-09)
- Offensive quality control Price Ferguson is native of Katy, Texas and played at Texas A&M
- Offensive quality control Drew Hollinshead is  a native of Rockwall, Texas, played at Houston
- Defensive quality control Kip Edwards is a native of Arlington, Texas
- Offensive graduate assistant Shane Ros is native of Katy, Texas, played at Houston
- Sophomore defensive lineman Lamonte McDougle was a Freshman All-American at West Virginia last season, made two tackles in a WVU win over Iowa State, McDougle is redshirting this season due to NCAA transfer rules

RECORD BOOK WATCH (PAGES 26-32)
A couple Cougars continue to see their names move up the Washington State record book.
- James Williams owns 195 receptions, 2nd-most by a WSU running back, tied for 4th-most overall in WSU history
- Williams' 76 receptions are most by a running back in WSU single-season history, had 71 last year
- Williams needs 3 catches to set Pac-12 single-season record for catches by a RB (78, Brad Muster, STAN, 1985)
- Williams scored 2 TD against Washington, owns 27 career total TD, 4th-most in WSU history
- Williams owns 16 total TD in 2018, 3rd-most in WSU single-season history
- Max Borghi owns 11 total TD in 2018, 2 away from breaking Deon Burnett's 1999 freshman total TD record (12)
- Keith Harrington owns 55 career receptions, 9th-most catches by a WSU running back
- Peyton Pelluer has played in a WSU record 53 career games
- Pelluer moved into WSU's Top-10 earlier this season, entered bowl game 6th with 341 tackles (Page 32)
- Pelluer moved into WSU's Top-10 earlier this season, entered bowl game 8th with 33.5 TFL (Page 32)
- Gardner Minshew II owns 36 passing TD, 3rd-most in WSU single-season history (Page 31)
- Minshew II owns 4,480 passing yards, 3rd-most in WSU single-season history (Page 31)
- Minshew II owns 11 300-yard games, the most in WSU single-season history
- Minshew II owns six 400-yard games, tied with Connor Halliday for most in WSU single-season history (2014)
- Minshew II is closing in on Pac-12 Season records for total offense, passing yards, passing TD (Page 28)
- Darrien Molton owns 47 career starts, one away from tying the WSU record of 48 (Micah Hannam, OL, 2007-10)

MINSHEW II WINS 2018 JOHNNY UNITAS GOLDEN ARM AWARD
Gardner Minshew II won the 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Presented by A.O. Smith. The award is named after one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, the prestigious award has been presented annually since 1987 to the nation's top college quarterback. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class. Criteria to be considered for the award include character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments. For the second straight season a Cougar quarterback has won a national award after Luke Falk won the Burlsworth Trophy (Top former walk-on) last season.

GARDNER MINSHEW II NOTES (Game-by-Game Page 44) (Ratings Based On PFF College)
Quarterback Gardner Minshew II has produced some impressive numbers in his first season with the Cougars. 
- 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Winner (Top-15 for nation's top senior or 4th-year junior QB)
- 2018 Heisman Trophy nominee (5th-place)
- 2018 Davey O'Brien Award Finalist (nation's best college Quarterback)
- 2018 Walter Camp Player of the Year Finalist
- 2018 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year, first-team selection
- 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)
- 1st in the country in passing yards/g (373.3), total offense/g (381.9), 2nd in passing (4,480), 5th in passing TD (36)
- 5th in the country and 1st among Pac-12 QB's in completion percentage (70.4)
- Rated 2nd-best overall QB in the country and best passing QB in the country
- Rated best QB in the country when passing with a clean pocket (32 TD, 5 INT, 3,759 yds, 75.5 completion %)
- Rated the country's 2nd-best passer when under pressure (72.4%),  3rd-most accurate deep passer (20+ yards)
- Only QB in country with six 400-yard games, Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) has 5
- 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 92-of-127 passes (.724) for 1,169 yards, 13 TD and 0 INT
- Set WSU record with 7 passing TD in win over Arizona, tying Pac-12 record for passing TD in regulation
- In his WSU debut, went 38-of-57 for 319 yards and 3 TD, also rushed for another in win at Wyoming

HARRIS, MINSHEW II NAMED PAC-12 PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - EASTERN WASHINGTON
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 had at least nine players catch a pass in 11 of 12 games.
- 12 players caught a pass against Eastern Washington, at Colorado
- 11 players caught a pass against California, Arizona
- 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 12 games, WSU has had 8 different receivers lead the team in receiving
- WSU owns 7 players with 30+ receptions, most by any team in the country
- 10 different receivers have 10-plus receptions and 9 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 different receivers have recorded 100-yard games in 2018, Tay Martin (EWU, at Oregon State, Arizona), Dezmon Patmon (Utah, at Stanford, at Colorado), Easop Winston Jr. (at USC, Utah) and Jamire Calvin (at Stanford)
- Tay Martin entered the bowl game 5th in Pac-12 in receptions (65) and tied for 5th TD catches (8)
- Easop Winston Jr. entered week tied for 5th in Pac-12 in TD catches (8), 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 10th in Pac-12 in receiving yards (740), leads team with 37 catches for 1st downs
- Jamire Calvin and Tay Martin share the team lead 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 33 catches in 2018, 21 of those have resulted in a 1st down
- 2 WR are rated among the top blocking WR in the Pac-12 Travell Harris (12th), Winston Jr. (15th)

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. Through 12 games, the running backs combine for 950 rushing yards, 969 receiving yards and 27 total TD.
- 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)
- Arizona, combined for 213 all-purpose yards, 13 receptions and 3 TD (2 rushing, 1 receiving)
- Washington, combined 164 all-purpose yards, 14 receptions and 2 TD (2 rushing by Williams)

COUGAR RUNNING BACK NOTES (Ratings based on PFF College)
- James Williams earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention, 16 total TD, 1,109 all-purpose yards, 76 receptions
- Max Borghi was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honorable mention, 11 total TD, 705 all-purpose yards 
- WSU has rushed for 22 TD in 2018 after rushing for 8 TD last season
- WSU running backs combine to lead all Pac-12 running backs groups with 132 receptions, 2nd with 27 total TD
- James Williams enters bowl season 2nd in the Pac-12 with 16 total TD, good for 10th in the country
- Williams owns 1,109 all-purpose yards, his first career 1,000-yard season
- Williams leads all RB nationally with 76 catches, 2nd the Pac-12 among all receivers
- Williams is first RB to lead Cougars in rushing and receptions since Steve Broussard in 1989
- Williams has forced the most missed tackles by a receiving RB in the country (29), Max Borghi is 2nd (19)
- Williams owns 6 career games with 10+ catches, 4 last season and 2 in 2018 (at Wyoming - 10, Cal - 10)
- Max Borghi is tied for 7th in the Pac-12 with 11 total TD, tied for 3rd in the country in catches by a RB (47)
- Williams and Borghi are tied for the national lead for receiving TD by a running back (each with 4) 
- Borghi had an impressive collegiate debut at Wyoming, scoring 2 TD, one receiving and one rushing
- In his return to his home state (at Colorado), Borghi had a 28-yard TD catch

NEW-LOOK OFFENSIVE LINE
The 2018 Cougar offensive line featured three new faces and emerged as one of the best in groups in the country. Gone was four-year starting right tackle Cole Madison who 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 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 11 sacks this season on 628 pass attempts, fewest sacks allowed in the Pac-12 and tied for 7th-fewest allowed in the country, allowed one sack for every 57 pass attempts
- WSU has blocked for 22 rushing TD and seen Cougar running backs average 4.8 yards-per-carry
- Andre Dillard (LT) was named to the SI.com All-America 2nd Team, AP All-America 3rd Team, All-Pac-12 1st Team
- Dillard is rated the 3rd-best OT in the country, the top pass-blocking OT, 2nd-best screen-blocking OT
- Dillard has started 38 straight games at left tackle, allowed just 1 sack on 628 pass attempts
- Dillard has won the WSU "BONE AWARD" (offensive lineman of the week) a team-best 5 times in 2018
- Abraham Lucas (RT) was named a Freshman All-American by USA Today, The Athletic, All-Pac-12 2nd Team
- Lucas is rated the 11th-best OT in the country, 2nd-best pass-blocking OT in the country, allowed 1 sack
- Liam Ryan (LG) is rated the 9th-best pass-blocking OG in the country and top screen-blocking OG in the country
- Fred Mauigoa (C) has started 24 straight games, 2018 All-Pac-12 HM, Rimington Trophy Watch List

COUGAR DEFENSE NOTES
The Speed D produced some low numbers in 2018, and that's a good thing. 
- at Wyoming, allowed just 206 yards of total offense, tallied 8 TFL including 3 sacks and 1 INT
- San Jose State, posted 3rd shutout in the last two seasons, held SJSU to 109 yards of total offense
- Eastern Washington, limited the nation's top FCS passing attack to just 14 completions, had 3 INT
- at USC, allowed just 33 rushing yards after the game's opening drive
- Utah, allowed just 12 completions and 118 passing yards, tallied 7 TFL including 2 sacks
- at Oregon State, recorded 8 TFL including 4 sacks, forced one fumble
- Oregon, allowed 58 rush yards, fewest rushing yards by Oregon in a conference game since 2007, 7 TFL, 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)
- Arizona, allowed just 3.4 yards-per-carry, forced 4 turnovers (3 FUM, 1 INT), 8 TFL, 4 sacks
- Washington, forced 3 turnovers ( 2 FUM, 1 INT), 6 TFL, 1 sack

WSU Speed D entered the week:
- tied for 1st in the Pac-12 in sacks (35), tied for 15th in the country
- 1st in the Pac-12 with 15 players who have recorded a sack
- tied for 3rd in the Pac-12 in takeaways (20)
- tied for 3rd in the Pac-12 in 3rd-down defense (36.4%), 40th in the country
- tied for 3rd in the Pac-12 in tackles-for-loss (80), tied for 39th in the country
- 3rd in the Pac-12 in pass defense (210.0), 48th in the country
- 4th in the Pac-12 in rush defense (136.6), 37th in the country
- 4th in the Pac-12 in total defense (346.6), 30th 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) named All-Pac-12 honorable mention for 3rd time
- Pelluer owns Pac-12 record with 5 career Pac-12 All-Academic honors
- Pelluer was 13th in Pac-12 in tackles (87), recorded team-high in tackles 6 times
- Pelluer owns 5 double-digit tackle games in 2018, 12 at USC, 13 vs. Utah, 11 at OSU, 11 vs. Cal, 10 vs. UW
- Pelluer is 6th in WSU history with 341 career tackles, 8th with 33.5 tackles-for-loss (Page 32)
- Pelluer has recorded the most QB hurries among all Pac-12 linebackers (15)
- Pelluer named Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year Nominee (Missed final 10 games of 2017 with foot injury)
- Jahad Woods (LB) earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention, 2nd on the team in tackles (73), 2nd in Pac-12 with 4 FF
- Logan Tago (DL) named All-Pac-12 2nd Team, set career highs with 10.0 TFL and 3 sacks
- Dominick Silvels (RUSH) is tied for 10th in Pac-12 in sacks (4.5)
- Willie Taylor III (RUSH) is rated the 6th-best OLB, 2nd-best OLB pass rusher in the Pac-12, 4 sacks, 17 QB hurries
- Will Rodgers III is tied for 1st among Pac-12 DT and NT in sacks (4), 3rd on team with 7.0 TFL
- Jalen Thompson (SS) owns 37 straight starts, every game of his career, named All-Pac-12 honorable mention
- Skyler Thomas (FS), 1st season as a starter, is 3rd on team in tackles (67), had 2 INT (CAL, UW)

WOODS NAMED PAC-12 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - ARIZONA
Linebacker Jahad Woods was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week after the win over Arizona, recording a career-high 11 tackles, his first career double-digit tackle game, one forced fumble and recovered another. The redshirt-sophomore from San Diego also assisted on a tackle-for-loss for the Cougars who forced four turnovers, tallied eight tackles-for-loss including four sacks and held the Wildcats to 3.4 yards-per-carry. 

NEW FACES MAKE MARK FOR SPECIAL TEAMS
Cougar special teams saw new faces at punter, kicker and kick returner, and all produced big numbers in 2018.
- Punter Oscar Draguicevich III earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention, produced 12 punts of 50+ yards and put 13 punts inside the 20 while averaging 46.0 yards per punt, 6th in the country (The minimum to qualify for NCAA stats is 3.6 punts/g, Draguicevich III averages 3.3 punts/g)
- Kick returner Travell Harris was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention as a kick returner, 6th in the country in kickoff return avg. (27.8), 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
- Harris also recorded a 38-yard kick return against Oregon, a 46-yarder against Cal, a 34-yarder against Arizona and a 47-yarder in the Apple Cup against Washington
- Kicker Blake Mazza owns 10 field goals with a long of 50 at USC
- Mazza leads all Pac-12 kickers in extra points (56), 2nd-most in WSU season history, and is 3rd in points (86)
- 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 was named All-Pac-12 honorable mention as an all-purpose player after leading the team in special teams tackles (9) with two fumble recoveries, one for a touchdown, on forced fumble and one punt block that was recovered for a touchdown
- Wilson's blocked punt at Oregon State punt that was returned five yards for a touchdown by Tristan Brock, was the first blocked punt for WSU since 2015 at UCLA and the first  blocked punt returned for a touchdown since 2003

WSU special teams entered the week:
- 1st in the Pac-12 in net punting (41.0), 13th in the country
- 2nd in the Pac-12 in kickoff return (27.1), 4th in the country
- 2nd in the Pac-12 in kickoff coverage (19.9)

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
ARIZ - Andre Dillard (LT), graded out the best, 2 rushing TD, 7 passing TD, 123 rushing yards
UW - None

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
ARIZ - Jahad Woods (LB), team-high 11 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
UW - None

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 special teams units
ARIZ - Kainoa Wilson, 3 special teams tackles, 1 fumble recovered for a TD, 1 forced fumble
UW - None

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.)    4 REC, 1 TD, Pac-12 All-Academic 2nd Team
Tristan Brock (LB, RS-Jr.)    24 GP, 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.)    special teams, graduated summer, 2018
Dillon Sherman (LB, RS-So.    13 GP, 23 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery
Trey Tinsley (QB, RS-Jr.)    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.

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.

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 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 five 10+ tackle games against USC, Utah, Oregon State, Cal and Washington. For the season he leads the Cougars with 87 tackles including nine tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks,  three passes defended, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

WELCOME BACK LEWIS, PELLUER
The Cougars welcomef back a couple of major contributors for a sixth season. Senior linebacker Peyton Pelluer and senior wide receiver Robert Lewis (118 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.