PULLMAN, Wash. – Quarterback Cameron Ward threw for 259 yards and a score while running backs Jaylen Jenkins and Nakia Watson each added two touchdowns to lead the Crimson squad to a 42-14 victory over the Gray in Washington State's annual Crimson and Gray Game Saturday afternoon at Gesa Field.
 
In front of crowd of 3,329, it was the Gray team that opened the scoring as running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker plunged over the goal line from 1-yard out to cap a 13-play, 88-yard drive. The Crimson team immediately replied on its next possession, capping a 3-play, 75-yard drive as Jenkins gathered a bad snap and rushed up the middle from 14-yards out to even the score. The drive was highlighted by a Ward-to-DT Sheffield 63-yard pass deep down the middle to the 14-yard line.
 
The drive marked the first of six-straight touchdowns for the Crimson, three coming in the second quarter. On its next possession, the combination of Ward-to-Sheffield struck again, this time the junior wide receiver was not denied as he completed a 51-yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter.
 
Running back Nakia Watson accounted for the next two scores, rushing in on identical three-yard touchdowns to push the lead to 28-7 at halftime.
 
Only one touchdown was scored in the third as Crimson running back Jaxson Sawyer pushed across from 1-yard out. Crimson closed out its scoring early in the fourth quarter as Jenkins capped his day with a 4-yard blast.
 
The Gray squad found the end zone on the ensuing possession as quarterback John Mateer and wide receiver Carlos Hernandez connected on a 29-yard scoring strike for the final score of the game.
 
For the day, the Crimson team posted 538 yards of total offense while the Gray team accounted for 359 total yards.
 
Ward finished his day completing 12-of-16 passes for 259 yards and the one touchdown. Jenkins led all rushers with 62 yards on 11 carries with two scores, while Watson added 17 yards on seven carries with two scores. On the receiving end, Sheffield finished with three catches for 121 yards and the score, while Cole Pruett had five receptions for 84 yards for the Crimson squad.
 
For the Gray team, Mateer ended his day 16-for-27 for 236 yards and the score. Schlenbaker rushed for 49 yards on 13 carries and the one score. Tsion Nunnally had four catches for 84 yards, 53 coming after the catch, while Hernandez finished with four receptions for 70 yards and the score.
 
Defensively, Gray defensive back Joe Taylor posted a game-high 6 tackles, while defensive back Bryce Grays added five tackles and a sack. Edge Andrew Edson added the other Gray sack to go with two tackles. Linebacker Hudson Cedarland, defensive tackle Jernias Tafia and defensive back Jackson Lataimua each added five tackles on the day. For the Crimson side, Safety Tanner Moku led the way with five tackles, while edge Peter Eyabi, defensive tackle Ansel Din-Mbuh and linebacker Joshua Erling each added sacks.
 
The 2023 Crimson and Gray Game completed the spring season for Cougar Football.