PULLMAN, Wash. (Nov. 15, 2025) – Washington State delivered another dominant defensive performance and used a season-best effort on the ground to power past Louisiana Tech, 28-3, Saturday night at Gesa Field. With the win, the Cougars improved to 5-5 while extending a remarkable defensive trend: this marks their fifth game this season holding an opponent to 10 points or fewer, including three games where the opponent failed to reach double digits.
The WSU defense controlled the game from the opening snap, limiting Louisiana Tech to a season-low 167 yards of total offense on 51 plays. The Cougars produced three sacks, an interception, and held the Bulldogs to just 3-of-11 on third down.
Colby Humphrey's fourth-quarter interception halted a promising Louisiana Tech drive, while
Malaki Ta'ase and
Buddha Peleti combined for 2.5 sacks to anchor a front that pressured quarterbacks Evan Bullock and Trey Kukuk throughout.
Washington State struck first midway through the opening quarter when
Zevi Eckhaus connected with
Joshua Meredith on a 23-yard touchdown strike to cap a 48-yard scoring drive. Early in the second, Eckhaus added to the lead, this time with his legs, punching in a seven-yard touchdown run that put the Cougars in front 14-0. Louisiana Tech's only points of the game came as the first half expired—a 51-yard field goal that sent WSU into halftime ahead 14-3.
After a quiet third quarter, the Cougars seized control early in the fourth. Eckhaus capped a patient, 14-play, 66-yard march with a one-yard rushing touchdown—his second of the night—to extend the lead to 21-3. The score was part of a powerful ground effort that saw WSU finish with a season-high three rushing touchdowns and 157 yards on 39 carries.
Running back
Kirby Vorhees put the game away late, breaking free for a 19-yard touchdown run with just over a minute remaining. Vorhees led all Cougar rushers with 76 yards, while Eckhaus added 56 yards on 11 carries behind an offensive line that allowed zero sacks and helped WSU control possession for more than 35 minutes.
On special teams,
Tony Freeman provided a spark with a 58-yard punt return in the first half, flipping field position and helping WSU maintain early momentum.
Jack Stevens remained perfect on the night, converting all four of his PAT attempts.
Meredith finished the night with a game-high five receptions for 70 yards and the score. Freeman added four catches for 31 yards. Defensively,
Parker McKenna led WSU with six tackles while Humphrey was one of five Cougars with five tackles.
The Cougars are next in action Saturday, Nov. 22, when they travel east to face James Madison University on ESPN+. Gametime is expected to be announced Sunday or Monday and will be either 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. EST.
