No. 25 WASHINGTON STATE HEADS TO OREGON STATE FOR PAC-12 MATCHUP
No. 25 Washington State heads to Corvallis for a Pac-12 Conference matchup at Oregon State. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., Saturday on The CW.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE
Washington State enters the week ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press with an 8-2 record for the first their best start since 2018 and are bowl eligible for the eighth time in the last nine full seasons. The Cougars own the nation's ninth-best scoring offense (38.9) and total offense (461.6) while the defense is No. 14 in the country with a +9 turnover margin and No. 27 nationally with 17 takeaways. Quarterback John Mateer is fifth in the country in total offense (340.2), fourth in passing touchdowns (26) while wide receiver Kyle Williams is second nationally with 11 receiving touchdowns and cornerback Ethan O'Connor is No. 29 in the country with three interceptions. Head coach Jake Dickert owns a 23-18 career record and is in his third full season.

COUGAR QUICK GAME
TEAM
• WSU is 8-2 for the 1st time since 2018, has won 6 straight games at Gesa Field, seeking first 9-2 start since 2018
• WSU is bowl eligible for the third time under Jake Dickert and for the eighth time in last nine full seasons
• WSU owns 3 fourth-quarter comeback wins this season (San Jose State, at Fresno State, at San Diego State)
• WSU owns 9 100-yard rushing games this season, most since 2005 (11), owns 2 300-yard games (TTU, USU)
• WSU's 2024 roster features 49 newcomers including 15 transfers with 13 from four-year schools
• Jake Dickert and Bill Doba (2003-07) are the only WSU HC with 2 Apple Cup wins in 1st 4 seasons since 1960's

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT (Player Notes Pages 13-15)
• QB John Mateer is the only quarterback in the country with 20+ pass TD and 10+ rush TD (26 pass - 12 rush)
• Mateer set a WSU record for rush yards by a QB with 197 rush yards in the week 2 win over Texas Tech
• WR Kyle Williams named to Biletnikoff Award Watch List, 2nd in country with 11 rec TD, 6 rec TD in last 2 gms
• RB Wayshawn Parker's 149 rush yds vs Utah State was a WSU freshman record, 75-yard TD run, longest since '06
• TE Cooper Mathers owns WSU single-season record 6 rec TD in 2024, tied for 3rd-most by a TE nationally
• LB Kyle Thornton was a Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist in 2023 (top former walk-on), led team w/ 87 tackles
• OL Fa'alili Fa'amoe, DB Jackson Lataimua, Edge Nusi Malani, OL Esa Pole; Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List
• RT Fa'alili Fa'amoe was named to watch lists for The Outland Trophy, Lombardi, Polynesian, Reese's Senior Bowl 

SERIES HISTORY
Washington State leads the all-time series 57-48-3 against Oregon State after posting a 38-35 win in Pullman last season. The Cougars are 25-24 all-time in Corvallis but OSU won the 2022 meeting 24-10 to snap WSU's eight-game winning streak in the series.

COLLEGE GAMEDAY RECORD
Dating back to the 2003 season, ESPN College GameDay has had the WSU flag appear throughout the show. The streak reached 315 last week at Tennessee - Georgia. The first appearance came in Austin, Texas (10/4/03) and the streak began two weeks later in Madison, Wisc. (10/18/03). Two flags – Ol' Crimson and Gray – have been flown in the background of the GameDay set. The Gray flag was added in 2014 after Whitey was retired in honor of Steve Gleason's "No White Flags." Appearance No. 217 was its first in Pullman (10/20/18), a 34-20 win over Oregon. 

MATEER PUTTING UP BIG DUAL THREAT NUMBERS (PAGES 8-9)
• In 1st career start, threw for 352 yards and 5 TD, rushed for 55 yards including 40-yard TD run
• Mateer's 6 total TD vs. Portland State were most by a Cougar QB in 1st start in program history
• Mateer's 5 TD passes vs. Portland State matched the WSU record for TD passes in a first start 
    - Luke Falk, 2014 at Oregon State; Anthony Gordon, 2019, New Mexico State
• Mateer's 197 rushing yards against Texas Tech week 2 was a WSU record for QB rushing yards
    - 1st 100-yard game by a Cougar QB since 1987 (105, Timm Rosenbach vs. Oregon)
    - 8th 100-yard rushing game by a Cougar quarterback in program history
• Mateer had 2 rush TD and 1 pass TD in Apple Cup win, rushed for 62 yards, 245 pass yards
• In the win over San Jose State, set career-highs with 26 completions and 390 pass yards
    - 1st Cougar QB in program history with 300 pass yards and 100 rushing yards in a game
    - 2nd 100-yard rushing game of the season (197, Texas Tech - 111, San Jose State)
    - Mateer's 501 yards of total offense are the 3rd-most by any player in the FBS this season
•    Mateer went 22-of-27 for 295 yards and 3 TD in the win over Hawai'i, the 85.0 completion percentage was 4th-best in WSU single-game history
•    Mateer completed 18-of-24 passes 179 yards and 4 TD, rushed for 1 TD in win over Utah State
•    Mateer completed 25-of-36 passes for 375 yards and four TD, his 4th 300-yard game of the season
•    Mateer has 5 games of 5 TD responsible for this season
    - Portland State (6), San Jose State (5), at San Diego State (5), Utah State (5), at New Mexico (5)
• Mateer had a rush TD and pass TD in 8 of the 10 games this season
• Mateer's 695 rush yards are a WSU single-season record for rush yards by Cougar QB 
• Mateer's 12 rush TD are a WSU single-season record for rush TD by a Cougar QB
• Mateer's 26 touchdown passes are tied for 10th-most in WSU single-season history
• Mateer is the ONLY quarterback in the country with 20+ pass TD and 10+ rush TD (26 pass, 12 rush)
    - Mateer is 2nd Cougar QB with 20 pass TD - 10 rush TD, Timm Rosenbach (1988, 24 pass, 10 rush)
• Mateer is responsible for 232 points this season, most nationally (222, Cam Ward - Miami)
• Mateer's 26 TD passes are 4th-most nationally
• Mateer's 14.2 yards per completion are No. 10 nationally
• Mateer's 340.2 yards of total offense-per-game are 5th-most nationally
• Mateer's 12 rush TD are 6th-most by a QB nationally
• Mateer's 31 rushes of 10+yd are 4th-most by a QB nationally, 2nd-most 20+yd runs (10) by a QB
• Mateer's 48 missed tackles forced are tied for the most by a QB nationally (Devon Dampier, UNM)
• Mateer owns the 3rd-best PFF rushing grade (81.9) by a QB nationally
• Mateer has been named to watch lists for: Davey O'Brien Award, Manning Award, Maxwell Award

WHAT a START FOR WAYSHAWN
True freshman running back Wayshawn Parker showed off his all-around game in his collegiate debut in the season-opening win over Portland State and has continued to produce big plays all year.
• In week one against Portland State, 8 carries, 96 rush yards, 54-yard TD run, 52-yard TD rec
    - 1st WSU true frosh with a rush TD and rec TD in his debut since 2018 (Max Borghi at Wyoming)
    - Parker's 54-yard rush TD is longest TD run since 2021 (Max Borghi, 2021, Utah State, 64 yds)
• In week two win over Texas Tech, rushed for 69 yards including 43-yard TD run
     - 1st WSU true freshman with TD in back-to-back games since 2018 (Borghi, Arizona, at Colorado)
• In win over San Jose State, made 1st career start, rushed 22 times for 76 yards, long of 20
• In win at Fresno State, started, carried 12 times for 63 yards, long of 22
• In win over Utah State, rushed for WSU freshman record 149 yards, 1st career 100-yard game
• Parker's 75-yard TD run vs Utah State was longest by a Coug since 2006 (80, Chris Ivory, Idaho)
• Owns 9 carries of 20+ yards, tied for 2nd-most among all freshman nationally
• Parker's 32 missed tackles forced are 3rd-most by a freshmen running back nationally
• Parker owns 114 carries for 642 yards and 4 TD, 6th-most rush yards among freshman nationally

WILLIAMS NAMED TO BILETNIKOFF AWARD WATCH LIST
Cougar wideout Kyle Williams was named to the 2024 Biletnikoff Award Watch List prior to the season, the award annually recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver. The senior from Inglewood, Calif. has caught 51 passes for 872 yards and 11 touchdowns. 
• Williams had 2 TD rec (58, 59) in season-opening win over Portland State
• Williams only catch in the win over Texas Tech was a 21-yard TD
• Williams caught a career-high 3 TD in win over Utah State
• Williams had 9 catches for a career-high 181 yards and 3 TD at New Mexico
    - Williams was first player in WSU history with back-to-back 3-TD rec games
    - 4th 100-yard game of the season, 11th of his career and 6th as a Coug
    - 141-Portland State, 138-San Jose State, 142-at Boise State, 181-at New Mexico
• Williams' 11 rec TD are tied for 7th-most in WSU single-season history, 2nd-most TD rec nationally
• Wlliams' 17 career TD rec at WSU are one away from breaking in WSU all-time Top-10
• Tied for 2nd nationally with 47 consecutive games catching a pass 
            Owns a catch in all 47 career games (1st 25 games at UNLV (2020-22)
• Among active FBS players career stats; 
    - 4th in rec ypg (69.9), 6th in rec yards (3,283), 7th in rec (229) and rec TD (26)

RECORD BOOK WATCH
• John Mateer's 695 rush yards are most by a Cougar QB in WSU single-season history
• Mateer's 12 rushing TD are the most by a Cougar QB in WSU single-season history 
• Kicker Dean Janikowski's 170 career made PAT are most in WSU history
• Cooper Mathers' 6 receiving TD are the most by a Cougar TE in WSU single-season history
• Mathers' 7 career receiving TD are 2nd-most by a Cougar TE in WSU history (8, Troy Bienemann, 2002-05)
• Mateer's 845 career rush yards are 3rd-most by a Cougar quarterback in WSU history
• Janikowski's four career 50+yard field goals are tied for 3rd-most in WSU history
• Janikowski's 75.0 career field goal percentage (42-56) is the 4th-best FG% in WSU history 
• Janikowski's 296 career points are 4th-most points by a kicker in WSU history
• Mateer's 15 career rushing TD are tied for 2nd-most by a Cougar QB in WSU history
• Janikowski's 42 career made field goals are 6th-most in WSU history
• Nick Haberer is 8th in WSU history with 164 career punts, 7th with 7,037 career punt yards
• Kyle Williams' 11 receiving TD are tied for 7th-most in WSU single-season history
• Williams' 17 career receiving TD at WSU are one away from breaking into the WSU Top-10

DEAN JANIKOWSKI NAMED TO WUERFFEL TROPHY WATCH LIST, MORE THAN A KICK
Kicker Dean Janikowski was named to the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and a Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist. Janikowski is one of 11 FBS semifinalists up for College Football's premier award for community service and one of the most meaningful award in collegiate sports. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, announced later this year, is presented to one of the 11 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players elected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. This year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team was selected from a record 178 nominees, representing players and coaches from colleges and universities across the country for their unwavering commitment to community service and their "good works" off the field. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy embodies Wuerffel's commitment to being a humanitarian, while honoring student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society. In the classroom, Janikowski was named to 2023 Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll with a 4.00 GPA while working towards his MBA and was a Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, give to the nation's best scholar athlete.
 
Off the field, Janikowski started a pledge called "More than a Kick" in 2021 where donations were made for each field goal and PAT by Janikowski and the donations go to helping children with cancer, in honor of his mom, Heather, who passed away from cancer. To date, More Than A Kick has raised over $37,000. Janikowski later started the Heather Janikowski Foundation and began another event called "Kicking Cancer" with an annual goal of raising $30,000 to support the Seattle Children's Hospital Cancer Research Center and those affect by cancer in the Pullman/Spokane area. The foundation has raised more than $88,000 towards Kicking Cancer. Janikowski also donated $2500 to former WSU basketball student-athlete Myles Rice, who was diagnosed with cancer and missed the entire 2022-23 season, he donated $15,000 to Molly Rice, who was an art teacher in nearby Colfax, Wash. for over 20 years and made additional donations of 5K, $10K and $15K have been distributed to individuals in the Pullman community. Janikowski also organizes in hometown of Fallbrook "Do It For Her 5k" and "Monserrate Memorial Hike," both raising money for Heather Janikowski Foundation.
 
On campus, at local Pullman church, Saint Thomas Moore Catholic Church, Janikowski helped run "Boot Camp" with current WSU football player Hudson Cedarland, which is a bible study with other members of the football team and in 2021 joined with then-teammates Liam Ryan and Abe Lucas (current member of Seattle Seahawks) in shoveling snow for elderly who were snowed in.

FA'AMOE NAMED TO OUTLAND TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH
WSU right tackle Fa'alili Fa'amoe was named to the 2024 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List. Fa'amoe is one of 75 returning linemen up for the award given to the best interior lineman in college football. The redshirt-junior started all 12 games at right tackle last season after being named to the Preseason Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Watch List. Fa'amoe, a native of Pago Pago, American Samoa switched from defensive line to offensive line prior to the 2022 season. Former Cougar right tackle Abraham Lucas was a three-time Outland Trophy Watch List selection (2019-21), former WSU left guard Cody O'Connell was a finalist in 2016 and former defensive tackle Rien Long won the award in 2002.

NICK HABERER NAMED TO RAY GUY AWARD WATCH LIST
Punter Nick Haberer was named to the 2024 Ray Guy Award Watch List for the third straight season Haberer, a senior from Sunshine Coast, Australia, averaged 44.4 yards-per-punt last season, recording a long of 62, five went 50-plus yards and 14 were put inside the 20. Haberer was All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention in 2022.

SIX NAMED TEAM CAPTAINS
Washington State Football announced it's team captains for 2024; OL Fa'alili Fa'amoe, CB Stephen Hall, OL Devin Kylany, Edge Nusi Malani, QB John Mateer and LB Kyle Thornton.

POSTGAME NOTES - PORTLAND STATE WIN
• WSU's 49 points in the first half were the most since 2018, scored 55 in first half against Arizona • WSU's 70 points were the most since 1997 (77, SW Louisiana) and were tied for 6th-most in program history • WSU has won 3 straight season-openers under head coach Jake Dickert • WSU's 224 rushing yards were the most since rushing for 229 against Northern Colorado week three last season • Five different players caught a TD, 3 rushed for a TD • Stephen Hall's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown was the longest in program history

POSTGAME NOTES - TEXAS TECH WIN
• WSU has started the season 2-0 for the third straight season under head coach Jake Dickert • WSU rushed for 301 yards, the most since rushing for 306 at Stanford in 2022 • WSU posted back-to-back games with 200-yards rushing for the first time since 2021 (223 vs. Arizona, 209 at Washington) •  WSU rushed for four touchdowns, the most since 2018 against Eastern Washington • WSU posted its first win over Texas Tech in program history; had last previous two meetings (1963, 1964) • WSU's four takeaways (2 INT, 2 FUM) are the most since 2022 (4 INT, at Arizona) 

POSTGAME NOTES - APPLE CUP WIN
• WSU defeated Washington 24-19 in front of 57,567 at Lumen Field in Seattle, WSU's second Apple Cup win in last four seasons • The 2024 Apple Cup was the first Apple Cup played in September and earliest meeting in series history • Jake Dickert is the 2nd Cougar Head Coach to start 3-0 in each of his first 3 seasons (John R. Bender (1906-08) • WSU held Washington under 20 points for only the second time since the 1999 season (other being 13 points in 2021) • WSU improved to 6-7 all-time when playing at Lumen Field • Josh Meredith set career highs with seven catches and 111 receiving yards, had 2nd-career TD catch, a 16-yard fourth-quarter score, 1st career 100-yard game • Andrew Edson recorded a career-high seven tackles, all solo, with three TFL's, to lead the WSU defense • Raam Stevenson recorded a sack for the second straight week 

POSTGAME NOTES - SAN JOSE STATE DOUBLE OVERTIME WIN
• WSU improved to 4-0 for the second straight season, the first time starting 4-0 in consecutive seasons since 1906-07 • WSU played its first overtime game since 2017 (W, OT3, Boise State, 47-44), have won four straight overtime games • WSU entered the fourth quarter trailing by 14 and trailed by three with 1:26 remaining before hitting the game-tying 52-yard field goal as time expired and won in double-overtime for their first fourth quarter comeback win since 2021 (Stanford) • WSU recorded its second game this season with 600+yards of total offense, 627 (637, Portland State) • WSU's 95 plays are tied for 10th-most in WSU single-game history • Cooper Mathers caught his 2nd and 3rd career touchdowns, first this season (at Cal, 2023), first WSU tight end with 2 rec TD since Jed Collins did so in 2006 against Oregon (1 rushing, 1 receiving) • Janikowski's 52-yard field goal to end regulation was the 2nd-longest of his career (55, at Colorado State, 2023) and 4th of his career

POSTGAME NOTES - AT NO. 25 BOISE STATE
• John Mateer matched a career-high with 26 completions, recorded 3rd 300-yard game of the season, 327 pass yards • Leo Pulalasi scored his 1st career touchdown, a 1-yard TD run in 4th quarter • Wayshawn Parker recorded a 21-yard rush in the first half, has recorded at least one 20-yard run in all five games • Kris Hutson matched a career-high with 9 catches, set career-high with 126 receiving yards, his 2nd career 100-yard game (101 – Portland State) • Cooper Mathers caught his 3rd TD of the season, the most by a Cougar tight end since 2007 (Jed Collins, Devin Frischknecht) • Tre Shackelford made his 1st career start, caught 1 pass 

POSTGAME NOTES - AT FRESNO STATE WIN
• WSU improved to 5-1 for the first time since 2018 • WSU recorded its second fourth-quarter comeback win this season (trailed San Jose State entering 4th) • WSU recorded its first fourth-quarter comeback win on the ROAD since 2018 at Stanford • WSU rushed for over 100 yards for the fifth time this season, had four 100-yards last season, six in 2022 • Fa'alili Fa'amoe made his 1st start of the season, missed first 3 games with injury, appeared at right tackle last two games, 20th career start at right tackle • Carlos Hernandez made his season debut, caught one pass for nine yards • Ethan O'Connor recorded his third interception of the season, first career return for a touchdown

POSTGAME NOTES - HAWAII WIN
• WSU improved to 6-1 for the first time since 2018, has won five straight games at Gesa Field • WSU is bowl eligible for the third time under Jake Dickert and for the eighth time in last nine full seasons • WSU rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns, its sixth 100-yard game this season after recording four in 2023 • WSU recorded three takeaways to push season total to 14, recorded 15 all of last season • WSU recorded a season-high four sacks • WSU posted season-lows in points (10), total offense (300), rushing yards (104), held Hawaii to 0-8 on third downs • Carlos Hernandez caught a 32-yard touchdown, his first career TD catch • Ansel Din-Mbuh recorded his first career sack, recorded 1.5 with career-high 2.5 tackles-for loss

POSTGAME NOTES - AT SAN DIEGO STATE WIN
• WSU recorded its third fourth-quarter comeback win of the season (San Jose State, at Fresno State) • WSU rushed for 114 yards, their seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season, had four last season • WSU recorded eight tackles-for-loss and four sacks, both are season highs • WSU picked off a pass to record its 15th takeaway of the season, matching last season's total • Carlos Hernandez made his first career start, caught a touchdown pass for the second straight game • Cooper Mathers caught his fifth touchdown of the season, setting a WSU single-season record for TD receptions by a tight end (4, Chris Leighton, 1987) • Buddah Al-Uqdah picked off his third career pass • Kyle Thornton made his 21st career start, matched career-high with two tackles-for-loss • Ansel Din-Mbuh made a career-high three sacks • Keith Brown made a season-high six tackles

POSTGAME NOTES - UTAH STATE WIN
• WSU rushed for 303 yards, its eighth 100-yard rushing game of the season, the most since 2005 (11), second 300-yard game of the season (301, Texas Tech) • WSU recorded two takeaways (INT, FUM), pushing its season total to 17, passing last season's total of 15 • Hunter Haines made his college debut, appeared on kickoff, made one tackle • Rod Tialavea started at left guard, Christian Hilborn did not start, snapping 34-game start streak • Wayshawn Parker had a career-high 149 yards, his first career 100-yard game and most rush yards by a freshman in WSU single-game history • Parker's 75-yard touchdown run was the longest by a Coug since 2006 • Kyle Williams caught a career-high three touchdowns • Buddah Al-Uqdah forced his third fumble of the season, recovered his second fumble of the season, made seven tackles • Kapena Gushiken picked off his second pass of the season (Texas Tech) • Adrian Wilson matched a career high with seven tackles • David Gusta recorded his first career sack 

POSTGAME NOTES - AT NEW MEXICO
• WSU rushed for 172 yards, its ninth 100-yard rushing game this season, most since 2005 (11) • Carlos Hernandez caught his third touchdown of the season, third in last four games, had four catches for 67 yards • Kris Hutson caught three passes, pushing his season catch total to 44, matching a career high (44, Oregon, 2022) • Cooper Mathers caught two passes for 71 yards including career-long 50 yarder • Kyle Thornton appeared in his 50th career game, made three tackles • Buddah Al-Uqdah made a career-high 12 tackles, his first career double-digit tackle effort • Bryson Lamb matched a career-high with five tackles 

LEACH, PATTERSON INDUCTED INTO WSU HALL OF FAME
Former head coach Mike Leach and defensive end DeWayne Patterson were inducted into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame the Friday night before the week two win over Texas Tech.
 
Mike Leach (football coach, 2012-19): Guided the Cougars to 55 victories in his eight seasons in Pullman, third-most in program history…was a two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year and 2018 AFCA National Coach of the Year…is the only coach to lead WSU to six bowl games and in 2018, led WSU to a school-record 11 victories, a win in the Alamo Bowl and a No. 10 final national ranking…WSU led the nation in passing in four of his eight seasons, top 9 in all eight years…in his 21 seasons, compiled a 158-107 (.596) record, guided his teams to 19 bowl games and set school records for bowl appearances at both Texas Tech (10) and Washington State (6)...passed away at the age of 61 in 2022. 

DeWayne Patterson (Football, 1990-1994): One of the leaders of the Palouse Posse defense of the early 1990's…finished his Cougar career with 154 tackles, and WSU records of 52.5 tackles-for-loss and 37.5 sacks, both of which remain school records following the 2024 season…senior year was named to Football News All-America First Team and Associated Press All-America Second Team…two-time All-Pac-10 Conference First Team selection…following WSU career, played three seasons in the Canadian Football League.

COUGS ADD JAMES MADISON TO COMPLETE 2025 SCHEDULE
Washington State added a road contest at James Madison University to complete its 2025 football schedule. The game at JMU is scheduled for Nov. 22, 2025, at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Va, marking the first meeting between the two programs. The 2025 schedule features contests against five autonomous five programs, a home-and-home series against Oregon State, first-time meetings against five opponents, opponents representing 10 different conferences and an Apple Cup matchup in Pullman. "We are thrilled to finalize our full football schedule for next season," said WSU Director of Athletics Anne McCoy. "The 2025 season includes contests against new opponents playing in Gesa Field, a September Apple Cup matchup in Pullman, as well as challenging road games against SEC and ACC opponents in Mississippi and Virginia. It's a schedule our fans will be excited for."

COUGS, BEAVS TO MEET TWICE IN 2025
Washington State added a road contest at Oregon State to its 2025 football schedule. The matchup has the Cougars and Beavers facing off in a home-and-home series during the 2025 campaign. The two teams will first meet Nov. 1, 2025 in Corvallis, followed by a previously scheduled contest at Gesa Field, Nov. 29, 2025. In the 108-game history of the rivalry, dating back to the first meeting in 1903, WSU leads the series 57-48-3. The 2025 schedule marks just the second time in series history the teams have met twice in the same season. In 1945, WSU won both contests, a 33-0 victory in Pullman Oct. 6 followed by a 13-6 win in Corvallis Nov. 17.

WASHINGTON STATE ADDS OLE MISS TO 2025 SCHEDULE
Washington State added the University of Mississippi to its 2025 football schedule. The contract is solely for the 2025 season. The game marks the first meeting between the two programs. The last Southeastern Conference school WSU has faced was at Auburn to open the 2013 season. 

WSU, UW AGREE TO FIVE-YEAR CONTINUATION OF APPLE CUP
Washington State and Washington agreed in principle to a five-year continuation of the storied Apple Cup football series through at least 2028. This year's matchup took place week three at Lumen Field in Seattle, with the following four games alternating between the school's campuses: 2025 (Pullman), 2026 (Seattle), 2027 (Pullman) and 2028 (Seattle). The 2025 Boeing Apple Cup on September 20, 2025 at Gesa Field in Pullman.

INTERIM TAG REMOVED, ANNE MCCOY TO LEAD WASHINGTON STATE ATHLETICS
WSU President Kirk Schulz removed the interim tag and named Anne McCoy as the WSU Director of Athletics, it was announced June 25. McCoy, who spent the previous three months as Interim Director of Athletics, officially becomes the 15th person to lead Cougar Athletics and the first woman to hold the position. McCoy is no stranger to WSU, serving a variety of roles on the senior administrative team since arriving in 2001 as associate director of athletics for internal operations. McCoy, who was hired by former Cougar Athletic Director Jim Sterk, has risen within the athletic department. Most recently, she served as senior deputy director of athletics and senior woman administrator (SWA) before assuming the interim director of athletics title in March of this year.  Throughout her time on WSU's senior leadership team, McCoy has been actively involved with all facets of the department, having a role in all head coaching hires since her arrival, including all current head coaches. McCoy has played a role in each area of Cougar Athletics during her tenure and served in a supervisory capacity for every WSU sport. Most recently, McCoy served as WSU's interim director of athletics since late March of 2024. In the span of three months in the interim role, McCoy secured the hiring of WSU Men's Basketball Head Coach David Riley, Head Swimming Coach Russ Whitaker and Head Women's Golf Coach Kevin Tucker, extending the contract of Women's Head Basketball Coach Kamie Ethridge, secured a home for baseball and women's swimming through affiliate membership with the Mountain West Conference for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons, and was involved with the Pac-12 Conference' securing a media rights agreement with the CW Network and FOX for the 2024 football season.

WASHINGTON STATE ALUM CHRIS KING NAMED VOICE OF THE COUGS
WSU Athletics and Learfield's Washington State Sports Properties named Washington State alumnus Chris King as the new "Voice of the Cougs" in August. King, from Marysville, Wash., takes over play-by-play duties for Cougar Football, Men's Basketball and Baseball. King returns to Pullman – where he graduated from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication in 2009 – after gaining 13 years of Division I broadcasting experience in neighboring Idaho. After two years announcing women's basketball at Boise State, King became the men's basketball broadcaster for the Idaho Vandals in 2013 before adding football broadcasting duties in 2021. In addition to his time calling college football and basketball, King also has extensive baseball experience, broadcasting Minor League Baseball for the Tri-City Dust Devils from 2012-2021. Away from the radio booth he has worked in a communications role with the West Coast League since 2016, most recently as the league's deputy commissioner. King has twice been honored as the Idaho Sportscaster of the Year (2017, 2023) by the National Sports Media Association for his work with the Vandals.