MANHATTAN, Kan. (September 12, 2026) — Washington State dropped a 37-7 decision at Kansas State Saturday afternoon.
Jaylen Thomas recorded two interceptions for 81 return yards, including one touchdown, and added four tackles. Isaiah Hung led the Cougars with eight tackles. Caden Pinnick was held to 65 yards passing. Kirby Vorhees rushed for a team-high 45 yards on 11 carries.
WSU moved into scoring range on its first possession, using Pinnick completions to Branden Ganashamoorthy and Maxwell Woods to drive to the Kansas State 19. The Cougars came away empty when Jack Stevens’ 37-yard field goal attempt was blocked with 1:35 left in the first quarter. That came after Kansas State finished an 18-play, 69-yard opening drive with a 31-yard field goal, and the quarter ended with Wazzu trailing 3-0.
Thomas gave the Cougs a boost just before half when he intercepted a pass at midfield and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown as time expired to cut the JSU lead to 17-7 at the half. Earlier, Thomas also intercepted a pass on a fourth down pass atempt at the WSU 24 and returned it 31 yards, but the ensuing drive ended on downs at the Kansas State 36.
WSU was held scoreless in the third quarter, while Kansas State scored on a 75-yard run and added a 31-yard field goal to make it 27-7. Wazzu managed two first downs, both on runs by Pinnick and Vorhees, but went 0-for-4 on third down and punted on all four possessions.
The Cougars were held scoreless in the fourth quarter after Kansas State opened the frame with a touchdown to cap the scoring at 34-7.
Team Notes
• WSU captains; Kaden Beatty, Keith Brown, Tony Freeman, Jack Pedersen, Ashton Tripp,
and Linus Zunk
• Washington State faced Kansas State for the first time in program history
• The Cougars faced a Big 12 opponent for the first time since a home win over Texas
Tech, 37-16, Sept. 7, 2024
• The Cougars traveled to a Big 12 opponent for the first time since Sept. 4, 2010 a 17-65
loss at Oklahoma State
Player Notes
• Caden Pinnick started at quarterback and completed 9-of-20 passes for 65 yards
• Darrius Clemons led the Cougs with 27 receiving yards on three receptions
• Kirby Vorhees led the Cougs with 45 rushing yards on 11 carries
• Isaiah Hung recorded a team-best and career-high eight tackles, including seven solo
• DJ Warner recorded a career-high six tackles
• Jackquintin Bal recorded a career-high four tackles
• Jaylen Thomas had two interceptions, the first of his career, followed by the first pick-six of his college career
o First interception returned for a touchdown since Buddah Al-Uqdah ran a 29-yard
interception to the house at Oregon State in 2024
o First Coug with two interceptions since Sam Lockett III picked off a pair of passes at
Arizona in 2022
• Kai Rapolla and Jackquintin Bal both made first career starts
• Arion Williams made his college debut, appearing with the field goal unit
Up Next
WSU hosts Duquesne Saturday, Sept. 19 at Gesa Field, at 12:30 p.m. in Pullman, Wash.