COUGARS FACE EASTERN WASHINGTON SATURDAY NIGHT 
Washington State (2-0) welcomes Eastern Washington University (2-0) to Martin Stadium for a Saturday night contest. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network.

SERIES HISTORY
Washington State leads the all-time series with Eastern Washington 3-1 after EWU claimed a 45-42 victory in the 2016 season-opener at Martin Stadium. The Cougars own a 118-21-3 record against teams currently in the Big Sky Conference. WSU's last win the series  with EWU came in 2012, a 24-20 victory in head coach Mike Leach's first home game at Washington State.

LAST WEEK
Washington State improved to 81-37-3 in home openers, including games in Pullman, Spokane and Seattle. Head coach Mike Leach has led WSU to a 5-2 mark in Martin Stadium home openers after posting a 31-0 victory over San Jose State last Saturday, WSU's third shutout in the last two seasons and fourth under Leach. Quarterback Gardner Minshew II threw three touchdown passes and ran for another while Tay Martin caught a pair of touchdown passes and kicker Blake Mazza connected from 36 yards. The Cougar SpeedD tallied eight tackles-for-loss including five sacks and held SJSU to 109 yards of total offense, the fourth-fewest yards allowed in WSU history. WSU also limited the Spartans to just nine rushing yards.

COLLEGE GAMEDAY RECORD
Dating back to the beginning of the 2004 season, ESPN's College GameDay has had the WSU flag appear throughout the show. The streak reached 210 after the appearance at week's Clemson-Texas A&M game in College Station. 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." WSU recognized the GameDay flag wavers in a pregame ceremony prior to the Montana State game in 2010. 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 of which 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 HAS COMMITTED TO ADDITIONAL STEPS FOR 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 is 2-0 for the second straight year after opening the season with a road win at Wyoming before posting a shutout in last week's home-opener against San Jose State. The Cougars own the nation's eighth-rated passing attack (369.5 ypg) and the second-ranked defense in the country (157.5 ypg) who have posted three shutouts in the past 15 games. WSU returned 40 letterwinners from a 2017 team that went 9-4 for the second time in the last three seasons and made their third straight bowl appearance (2015 Sun Bowl, 2016 Holiday Bowl, 2017 Holiday Bowl) for the first time since 2001-03 (2001 Sun Bowl, 2003 Rose Bowl, 2003 Holiday Bowl). WSU returned four starters from an offense that produced the nation's second-rated passing attack and six starters from the country's No. 16-rated defense that forced 28 turnovers, ninth-most in the country last year. 

COUGAR QUICK GAME
TEAM
•  WSU saw 22 players make their debut and 10 players make their first career start
•  WSU notched its first road season-opening win since 2004, snapping 7-game skid when opening on the road
•  WSU made its 4th appearance in the Holiday Bowl, tying the Rose Bowl for most appearances in program history
•  WSU owns 19 Pac-12 wins in the last three seasons, tied for the 3rd-most in the Pac-12 (Stanford - 22, USC - 21)
•  WSU WR (Bell, Calvin, Martin) led all Pac-12 freshmen WR groups with 104 receptions and 12 rec TD
•  WSU is the only Pac-12 team with four shutouts in the last five seasons (Stanford and Washington with 2)

INDIVIDUAL
•  Mike Leach owns 40 wins at WSU, 4th-most in program history
•  Under Leach, WSU has recorded 11 fourth-quarter comebacks in his six seasons
•  Kyle Sweet, Peyton Pelluer were game captains week 1-2, snapping Jamal Morrow's 35-game streak as capt.
•  RB James Williams led all FBS running backs with 71 receptions in 2017, good for 3rd among all Pac-12 players
•  Williams caught 10 passes in the win at Wyoming,  4 against San Jose State, 3rd in Pac-12 in receptions
•  Williams is 2nd in WSU history for catches by a running back with 133, Keith Harrington is 10th with 49 rec.
•  Tay Martin has 3 career multiple-TD games (at Arizona, vs. Michigan State, San Jose State)

MIKE LEACH AMONG NATION'S BEST
Head coach Mike Leach is in his 17th season as a head coach and owns a 124-81 career record including a 40-38 mark at WSU, now in his seventh season in Pullman, the fourth-most wins by a Cougar head coach. Leach is the first coach in school history to lead WSU to three bowl games in his first five seasons and joined Mike Price as the only Cougar head coaches to take WSU to three straight bowl games. In the last three seasons, the Cougars are tied with Washington for the third-most conference wins (19) in the Pac-12, trailing only Stanford (22) and USC (21). Leach, the 2015 Pac-12 Co-Coach of the Year and a George Munger Coach of the Year semifinalist the past two seasons, has seen the Cougar Air Raid lead the Pac-12 in passing in five of his six seasons, only finishing second behind Cal and Jared Goff in 2013. 

YOUNG COUGS TAKE THE FIELD 
Through the first two games, WSU has seen 22 players make their debuts and 10 make their first career start. 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). Last season, 28 players made their debuts including 19 freshmen. 

IMPRESSIVE DEBUTS
A couple newcomers produced some impressive numbers in the season-opener at Wyoming. Graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew II went 38-of-57 for 319 yards and three touchdowns; freshman running back Max Borghi scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving; wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. caught three passes including a seven-yard touchdown; punter Oscar Draguicevich III averaged over 51 yards-per-kick on three punts including one for 60 yards; kicker Blake Mazza connected on both field goal attempts from 24 and 41 yards while hitting all five extra points; RUSH linebacker Willie Taylor III forced a fumble on a sack; RUSH starting linebacker Dominick Silvels made a pair of tackles-for-loss including a sack in his first career start; strong safety Skyler Thomas led the team with nine tackles in his first career start. In last Saturday's win over San Jose State, another new face had an impressive debut as junior defensive lineman Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei tallied a sack in his first game as a Cougar.

MINSHEW II MAKING MOVES
Quarterback Gardner Minshew II has been productive in his first two starts for the Cougars. Through his first two games, the East Carolina transfer has led the Pac-12 Conference with 733 passing yards and thrown the third-most touchdown passes (6). Minshew II has also rushed for a touchdown, completed 66.7 percent of his passes, passed for 319 yards at Wyoming and thrown for 414 yards against San Jose State. 

PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS NOTES
Each week ProFootballFocus.com will produce stats and ranking by position. Below are few notable Cougars and where they rank after the first two games:
Nick Begg (DT) - Ranked sixth in the Pac-12 in defensive tackle pass rushing, leads all Pac-12 DT with 2 QB hits
Max Borghi (RB) - Ranked No. 21 running back run game grade through first two games 
Oscar Draguicevich III (P) - Ranked No. 5 overall grade for punters in the country
Gardner Minshew II (QB) - Ranked No. 13 quarterback passing grade in the country through first two games
Andre Dillard (LT) - Ranked No. 1 tackle in the country in pass blocking through first two games
Nnamdi Oguayo (DL) - Ranked No. 5 overall grade for edge rushers in the Pac-12
Liam Ryan (LG) - Ranked No. 2 guard in the country in screen blocking through first two games
Dominick Silvels (RUSH) - Ranked No. 23 outside LB in overall grade through first two games
Willie Taylor III (RUSH) - Ranked No. 21 outside LB in overall grade, rated fourth-best edge rusher in the Pac-12
James Williams (RB) - Ranked No. 13 running back overall grade in the country through first two games
Williams - Ranked second running back in pass game and second in country with 14 catches by RB

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 Wyoming - Liam Ryan (LG), graded out the best, WSU had 57 pass attempts, 2 rushing TD, zero sacks allowed
SAN JOSE STATE - Andre Dillard (LT), graded out the best, 54 pass attempts, zero sacks allowed

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK - selected by coaches as top defensive performer
at Wyoming - Marcus Strong (CB), tallied two tackles, one pass breakup, interception was lone WSU takeaway
SAN JOSE STATE - Jalen Thomson (S), tallied 4 tackles, one for loss, had one pass breakup, shutout

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK - selected by coach Matt Brock as the top special teams contributor
at Wyoming - Dillon Sherman (LB), contributed on all special teams, graded out best on play assignments
SAN JOSE STATE - Kyle Sweet (PR), averaged 12.2 yards-per-punt return including long of 26

SPREADING THE BALL AROUND
Washington State saw nine players catch a pass in the season-opener at Wyoming and 10 catch a pass against San Jose State last week. Last season saw WSU average 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. The 2016 season saw 10+ players catch a pass in 11 of the 13 games, highlighted by the 14 against Arizona, the most under Mike Leach at WSU. Also in 2016, the Cougars were the only team in the country with five players owning 40+ catches. In 2015, WSU was the only team in the country with 10 players with 20+ receptions and was the only Power-5 Conference team with two players owning double-digit touchdown receptions (Gabe Marks and Dom Williams). 

AIR RAID NUMBERS ADD UP
Last season, Washington State produced the nation's second-best passing attack (366.8) and opened the season with 30+ points in six straight games for the first time since the 2001 team reached that mark seven times. In 2016, WSU finished third in the country in passing offense (362.5) and set a program single-season records for the most touchdowns scored (67) and points (496). The WSU passing attack led the country in 2015 (389.5) and 2014 (477.7), was fourth in 2013 (368.4) and was eighth in 2012 (330.4).

ALL-PURPOSE, ALL THE TIME
The Cougar running backs serve all-purpose roles for the Air Raid. Last season, James Williams led the Cougars with 71 receptions, also the most by any FBS running back in the country. Last season, the backs combined for 14 total TD, 1,096 rushing yards (5.1 ypc), 1,073 receiving yards (146 rec) and 2,362 all-purpose yards, posting their second straight 1,000-1,000 season in rushing and receiving yards. In week one at Wyoming, the backs combined for 18 receptions, 101 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Last week against San Jose State, the trio of Williams, Keith Harrington and freshman Max Borghi combined for 94 rushing yards and six receptions including a three-yard touchdown catch by Williams who enters the week third in the Pac-12 with 14 receptions.

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 who played in 44 games. Two-year starter and 2017 All-Pac-12 HM left tackle Andre Dillard returns 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 started at left guard and right guard, respectively, the first two games. Redshirt-freshman Abraham Lucas made his collegiate debut and started at right tackle. 

NEW OFFENSIVE LINE SETTLES IN
Despite adding three new starters, the offensive line has not missed a beat in the first two weeks of 2018. WSU has produced the nation's eighth-best passing attack while not allowing a sack during the 111 pass attempts. Extending back to the Holiday Bowl against Michigan State last season, the Cougars have not allowed a sack in three straight games.

OFFENSIVE LINE STANDS TALL
The Cougar Air Raid offense continues to put up big numbers and offensive line continues to put up big numbers on the weight scale. The size of the front five had gone up each season since coach Leach arrived in 2012 but this year's offensive line to averages 306 lbs, down from 322.6 last season. One "big" difference is that the 2018 line will be one the tallest lines coach Leach has had at WSU, averaging nearly 6-5. Andre Dillard and Liam Ryan each stand 6-5 and Fred Mauigoa is 6-3 while Josh Watson checks in at 6-4 and Abraham Lucas stands 6-7. In 2016, the offensive line averaged over 322 lbs, the 2015 line averaged 310, the 2014 line 309.4, the 2013 line 288.2 and 2012 line 288.6.

SPEED D STRIKES AGAIN
The Washington State defense added another impressive game to its file with a shutout of San Jose State last Saturday. 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 DEFENSE OFF TO GOOD START
The Speed D has produced low numbers in the first two weeks, and that's a good thing. The WSU defense opened 2018 by holding Wyoming to just 206 yards of total offense and tallied eight tackles-for-loss including three sacks and one interception. Last week against San Jose State, the Cougars posted their third shutout in the last two seasons and held the Spartans to 109 yards of total offense. 
WSU enters week three:
- tied first in the country 4th-down defense (0-0)
- ranked second in the country in total defense (157.5), trailing only conference foe Utah
- ranked fifth in the country in passing defense (83.5)
- tied for seventh in the country in sacks (8), tied for third in the Pac-12
- ranked No. 10 in the country in first downs allowed (23)
- ranked No. 13 in the country in scoring defense (9.5)
- ranked No. 14 in the country in rush defense (74.0)

NEW FACES MAKE MARK FOR SPECIAL TEAMS
The Cougar special teams have seen some new faces produce in the first two weeks. Kicker Blake Mazza has connected on three of four field goal attempts including both attempts at Wyoming. New punter Oscar Draguicevich III has already produced three punts of 50+ and put two inside the 20 while averaging 49.4 yards per punt, good for third in the country. Kyle Sweet has averaged 7.0 yards-per-punt return and produced a 26-yard return week two against San Jose State.
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 is 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. The junior from Downey, Calif. started all 13 games, tied for the conference lead with three fumble recoveries and was also named to the Associated Press All-Pac-12 First Team. As a freshman in 2016, Thompson was named to the True Freshman All-America Team by ESPN.com.

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.

SIX FORMER WALK-ONS EARN SCHOLARSHIPS
This past summer, the Cougars awarded scholarships to six former walk-ons. 
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.

FRIENDLY CONFINES OF MARTIN STADIUM
Washington State went 7-0 at home in 2017, the most home wins in a season in program history and the first perfect home mark since going 6-0 in 2003. WSU's season-opening five-game homestand was a first in program history, sweeping all five contests. The only other time WSU  opened the season with more than three-straight home games was in 1907, with four. The Cougars will again host seven games at Martin Stadium this season.

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.

COUGARS ADD TRACY CLAEYS AS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Tracy Claeys was named WSU's defensive coordinator in early January, replacing Alex Grinch who left for Ohio State after three seasons with Cougars. Claeys, 49, most recently served as the head coach at the University of Minnesota, where he posted an 11-8 record with back-to-back bowl victories after taking over the program Nov. 11, 2015 when he succeeded Jerry Kill, who resigned due to health reasons. Claeys had been a part of the Minnesota coaching staff since 2011, where he served as defensive coordinator before adding the title of associate head coach prior to the 2014 season. In 2016, his first full season as head coach, Claeys guided the Gophers to a 9-4 record and a victory over Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. Minnesota's nine wins were the most it had earned since winning 10 games in 2003 and were the second most since 1905 when the Gophers also won 10 games. Minnesota's defense allowed an average of 22.1 points in 2016, which was the lowest since it allowed 21.9 in 2003. From the time he took over the Gopher defense in 2011, at the conclusion of the 2016 season, the Gophers had held 36 of their last 48 opponents below their scoring average. In 23 of those games, Minnesota held its opposition to eight or more points below their season average and in nine games, the Gophers held their opponents to 14 or more points below their season average. Claeys has coached four First Team All-Big Ten defensive selections and coached six defensive players taken in the NFL Draft in his final three years at Minnesota.